••1863' 


DATE   DgE 

i 

.    ••" 

W-  U 

\Kl4S?l 

-■:, 

UNIV.  OF  MASSACHUSETTS/AMHERST 
LIBRARY 


F 
74 
M5 
B9 


GIFT  TO 

UNIVERSITY  OF  MASSACHUSETTS 
LIBRARY 

from 


THE   FRIENDS 
OF  THE   LIBRARY 


(/ 


-#3~/L-z?mz&6*/ 


HISTORY 


OF    THE 


TOWN     OF     MEDFORD, 


Pibbto  tomntg,  PassHC^useiis, 


FROM  ITS  FIRST  SETTLEMENT,  IN  1630,  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME,  1855. 


BY  CHARLES  BROOKS. 


1  Pleraque  eorum  quae  referam  parva  fortisan  et  levia  memoratu  videri,  nescius  sum."—  Tacitus. 
"  Nescire  quid  antea  quam  natus  sis  accident,  id  est  semper  esse  puerum."—  Cicebo. 


BOSTON 


PUBLISHED  BY  JAMES  M.  USHER, 

37,     COKNHILL. 

1855. 


BOSTON: 
PRINTED    BY   JOHN   WILSON    AND   SON, 

22,  School  Street. 


%\t  gwanknts  at  t\t  $mt  Sciilm  at  Ittortr, 


WHEREVER     LIVING, 


TO    ITS   PRESENT    INHABITANTS, 


STfje  follototna  ffllstovs  is  respectfully  EnscrlbeB 


BY    THEIR    HUMBLE    SERVANT, 


CHARLES  BROOKS. 


PREFACE. 


In  writing  this  History,  it  has  been  my  wish  to  secure  Medibrd  such  terri- 
tory in  time  as  its  acres  are  territory  in  space.  The  gathering  of  these 
annals  has  been  too  long  delayed.  Time,  moth,  and  rust  have  done  then- 
fatal  work  on  many  valuable  materials;  and  some  gentlemen,  who  felt  a 
deep  interest  in  their  native  town,  have  died  without  leaving  any  manu- 
script testimonies.  When  the  history  of  New  England  shall  be  written, 
the  true  data  will  be  drawn  from  the  records  of  its  towns.  Now,  therefore, 
in  humble  imitation  of  those  States  in  our  Union  which  have  contributed 
each  its  block  of  granite,  marble,  or  copper  to  the-  National  Monument  at 
Washington,  I  ask  leave  to  offer  Medford's  historical  contribution  to  the 
undecaying  pyramidic  monument  which  justice  and  genius  will  hereafter 
raise  to  the  character  and  institutions  of  New  England. 

The  records  of  the  first  forty  years  are  lost.  I  have  reproduced  them, 
as  far  as  I  could,  from  documents  in  the  General  Court  relating  to  our  ear- 
best  history ;  from  several  monuments  of  the  first  settlers,  which  are  yet 
standing  among  us ;  from  authentic  traditions  which  were  early  recorded  j 
and  from  collateral  histories  of  the  neighboring  towns.  To  find  the  lost, 
and  remember  the  forgotten,  seems  to  be  the  province  of  the  local  annalist. 
From  the  moment  I  reached  the  first  town-records  of  Medford  (1674),  I 
implicitly  followed  those  excellent  guides.  Where  I  could  save  space  by 
abbreviations,  without  altering  the  sense,  I  have  occasionally  done  so  in  my 
quotations,  and  have  used  our  modern  orthography.  The  spirit  of  anti- 
quarian research,  now  beginning  to  show  itself,  will  lead  to  the  discovery  of 
many  facts  concerning  the  early  history  of  Medford  which  are  beyond  my 
reach.  These  may  soon  render  necessary  a  new  history  of  the  town ;  and 
I  hope  it  may  be  undertaken  by  a  person  whose  ability  and  leisure  will 
enable  him  to  do  far  greater  justice  to  the  subject  than  has  been  within 
my  power. 

There  are  no  foot-notes  in  this  volume.  My  reason  for  incorporating 
such  matter  with  the  text  is  this :  whenever  notes  are  printed  at  the  bottom 
of  a  page,  it  is  expected  they  will  be  read  in  at  the  place  where  the  asterisk 
in  the  text  directs.  If  the  note  is  put  there  to  be  read  in  there,  why  not 
put  it  into  the  text  at  that  place,  and  thus  save  the  eye  the  trouble  of  wan- 
dering down  to  the  bottom  of  the  page  to  hunt  up  the  note,  and  then 
wandering  back  again  to  find  the  spot  whence  it  started  on  its  search  ?  If 
the  new  mode  I  have  adopted  should  prove  inconvenient  to  readers,  they 
must  so  declare  against  it  that  no  writer  will  follow  the  example. 

I  have  received  great  help  from  the  Massachusetts  Colony  Records ;  and 
Dr.  N.  B.  Shurtleff's  beautiful  edition  of  them  is  a  noble  monument  to  a 


faithful  student  and  public  benefactor.  I  have  also  gathered  much  from  the 
Historical  Collections  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  —  from  Win- 
throp,  Hutchinson,  Wood,  and  other  early  writers ;  and  especially  from 
the  registries  of  Deeds  and  Probate.  Mr.  Frothexgham's  "  History  of 
Charlestown  "  is  invaluable.  I  have  obtained  less  information  from  old  manu- 
scripts in  Medford  than  I  expected.  Many  such  important  papers,  long  since 
collected  here,  have  been  irrecoverably  scattered.  I  have  received  aid  from 
Caleb  Swan,  Esq.,  of  New  York ;  from  Mr.  Joseph  P.  Hall,  the  accurate 
town-clerk ;  from  Rev.  Samuel  Sewall,  Mr.  W.  B.  Shedd,  and  several 
other  friends.  To  each  and  all  I  would  here  offer  my  sincere  thanks.  To 
Messrs.  William  Tufts,  of  Boston,  George  W.  Porter  and  Peter  C. 
Hall,  of  Medford,  I  owe  special  acknowledgments  for  their  examination 
of  my  proof-sheets.  The  Register  of  Families  has  been  prepared  by  my 
young  friend,  Mr.  William  H.  Whitmore,  of  Boston.  With  the  patience 
that  belongs  to  older  scholars,  with  an  accuracy  that  belongs  to  a  true  lover 
of  genealogical  inquiry,  and  with  a  generosity  that  issues  from  a  Christian 
heart,  he  has  devoted  himself  to  these  researches  ;  and  every  family  men- 
tioned in  the  Register  owes  him  a  debt  of  gratitude.     Collegisse  juvat. 

By  means  of  printed  circulars  and  public  addresses  in  1853,  '54,  and  '55, 
I  gave  very  urgent  invitations  to  all  the  living  descendants  of  our  ancestors, 
and  to  all  the  present  inhabitants  of  Medford,  to  furnish  me  with  genealo- 
gical registers  of  their  families,  promising  to  insert  all  they  might  send. 
Many  have  complied  with  these  requests,  and  many  have  not.  I  regret 
exceedingly  that  families,  who  alone  possess  the  requisite  information,  should 
have  withheld  it.  It  is  a  serious  loss  to  our  history,  and  may  hereafter  be 
regretted  by  themselves.  In  this  respect,  the  history  of  a  town  is  apt  to 
disappoint  everybody.  These  registers  of  early  families  in  New  England 
will  contain  the  only  authentic  records  of  the  true  Anglo-Saxon  blood 
existing  among  us ;  for,  if  foreign  immigration  should  pour  in  upon  us  for 
the  next  fifty  years  as  it  has  for  the  last  thirty,  it  will  become  difficult  for 
any  man  to  prove  that  he  has  descended  from  the  Plymouth  Pilgrims. 

I  have  introduced  much  collateral  history,  as  illustrative  of  local  Jaws, 
ideas,  and  customs.  The  true  history  of  a  town  is  nearly  an  epitome 
of  that  of  the  State.  It  is  not  a  single  portrait,  but  a  full-length  figure 
amidst  a  group,  having  the  closest  relations  to  all  contemporary  life,  and 
to  all  surrounding  objects.  To  neglect  these  accessory  circumstances  and 
illustrations,  is  to  leave  all  life  out  of  historic  details,  and  convert  history 
into  a  wide,  silent  field  of  graves,  ruins,  and  darkness.  I  have  spared  no 
pains  or  expense  in  collecting  materials  for  this  work ;  but  my  chief  solici- 
tude has  been  concerning  its  accuracy.  In  no  case  have  I  recorded  a  fact, 
or  drawn  an  inference,  without  having  satisfactory  historical  evidence  of  its 
truth.  R"  my  labors  shall  help  to  fix  Medford  in  the  elevated  rank  it  now 
holds  in  the  State,  and  shall  stimulate  future  generations  to  deserve  and 
attain  a  higher,  my  proudest  hopes  will  be  realized.  That  peace  may  for 
ever  be  within  its  walls,  and  prosperity  within  its  palaces,  is  the  fervent 
prayer  of  its  humble  friend, 

CHARLES    BROOKS. 


CONTENTS. 


(FOE     ALPHABETICAL     INDEX     OF     NAMES,     SEE     END     OF     TUE     VOLUME.) 


CHAPTER    I. 

Name  and  Location.  —  Boundaries.  —  Ponds.  —  Mystic  River. 
Brooks.  —  Hills.  —  Climate.  —  Soil  and  Productions. 
Natural  History 


II. 

Medford  Records.  —  First  Settlement.  —  Monuments  of  Early 

Times.  —  Roads.  —  Bridges.  —  Indians.  —  Mathew  Cradock    .      27 

HI. 
Civil    History.  —  Expenses.  —  Medford   a  Town.  —  Causes    of 
Prosperity.  —  Chairmen    of    the    Board    of    Selectmen.  — 
Treasurers.  —  To wn-  Clerks.  —  Governor  Brooks      ....      93 

IV. 

Political  History.  —  Votes  for  Representatives  in  Congress.  — 
Councillors  and  Senators.  —  Representatives.  —  Justices  of 
the  Peace.  —  Col.  Isaac  Royal 143 

V. 

Military  History.  —  Medford  Light  Infantry.  —  Brooks  Pha- 
lanx. —  Lawrence  Light  Guard.  —  Capt.  Thomas  Pritchard. 
—  Col.  Ebenezer  Francis.  —  Adj.  Francis  Tufts.  —  Lieut. 
John  Brooks. —  Col.  Alexander  S.  Brooks 181 

VI. 
Ecclesiastical  History.  —  Rev.  Aaron  Porter.  —  Rev.  Ebenezer 

Turell.  —  Rev.  David  Osgood,  D.D 200 


Vlll  CONTENTS. 

VII. 

PAOB. 

Ecclesiastical  History  continued.  —  First  Parish.  —  Second 
Congregational  Society.  —  Universalist  Society.  —  Baptist 
Society.  —  Methodist  Society.  —  Mystic  Church.  —  Grace 
Church 249 

VIII. 

Education.  —  Academies.  —  Institute.  —  Libraries.  —  Lyceum 
Lectures.  —  Tufts  College.  —  Graduates.  —  Physicians.  — 
Lawyers.  —  Public  Characters.  —  Authors 278 

IX. 

Public  Buildings.  —  Meeting-houses.  —  School-houses.  —  Town 

Hall.  —  Alms-houses  —  Engine-houses 325 

X. 

Trade.  —  Manufactures.  —  Brick-making.  —  Ship-building.  — 
Register  of  Vessels.  —  Fisheries.  —  Medford  Crackers.  — 
Distillation.  —  Lightering.  —  Mills.  —  Middlesex  Canal.  — 
Prices  in  Medford 349 

XI. 

Currency.  —  Taxes.  —  Map.  —  Post  Office —  Taverns.  —  Burying- 

grounds 401 

XII. 
Crimes  and  Punishments.  —  Slavery.  —  Pauperism.  —  Tornado.  — 

Storms  and  Freshets.  —  Fires.  —  Pounds.  —  Diseases     .     .     .  ^431 

XHI. 

Population.  —  Manners    and    Customs.  —  Daily    and    Domestic 

Habits 451 

XIV. 

Fire-department.  —  Societies 471 

XV. 

Historical  Items.  —  Letter 478 


REGISTER  OF  FAMILIES 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


CHAPTER   I. 


NAME   AND   LOCATION. 

Medfokd,  a  town  in  Middlesex  County,  Massachusetts,  lies 
in  42°  25'  14"  42,  north  latitude,  and  71°  07'  14"  32,  west 
longitude.  It  is  about  five  miles  N.  N.  W.  from  the  State 
House  in  Boston ;  and  about  four  miles  N.  W.  by  N.  from 
Bunker-Hill  Monument.  It  borders  on  Somerville,  West 
Cambridge,  Winchester,  Stoneham,  Melrose,  and  Maiden. 

It  received  the  name  of  Meadford  from  the  adventurers 
who  arrived  at  Salem,  in  May,  1630,  and  came  thence  to 
settle  here  in  June.  When  these  first  comers  marked  the 
flatness  and  extent  of  the  marshes,  resembling  vast  meads  or 
meadows,  it  may  have  been  this  peculiarity  of  surface  which 
suggested  the  name  of  Meadford,  or  the  "great  meadow." 
In  one  of  the  earliest  deeds  of  sale  it  is  written  Metford,  and 
in  the  records  of  the  Massachusetts  Colony,  1641,  Meadfoard. 
The  Selectmen  and  Town-clerks  often  spelled  it  Meadford  ; 
but,  after  April,  1715,  it  has  been  uniformly  written  Medford. 
No  reason  is  given  for  these  changes ;  and  why  it  received 
its  first  name,  history  does  not  tell  us.  Josselyn  in  1638, 
writes  thus :  "  On  the  north-west  side  of  the  (Mystic)  river 
is  the  town  of  Mistick,  three  miles  from  Charlestown,  a  league 
and  a  half  by  water."  This  author  gives  the  name  of  Mis- 
tick  to  land  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  and  reports  a 
thriving  population  as  then  gathered  between  the  two  brick 
houses,  called  forts,  which  are  yet  standing.  At  that  early 
period,  boundary  lines  were  indefinitely  settled,  and  names  as 


2  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

indefinitely  applied.  It  was  afterwards  the  intention  of  some 
to  unite  Mr.  Cradock's,  Mr.  Winthrop's,  Mr.  Wilson's,  and 
Mr.  Nowell's  lands  in  one  township,  and  call  it  Mystic. 


BOUNDARIES. 

Medford,  until  1640,  was  surrounded  by  Charlestown, 
which  embraced  Maiden,  Stoneham,  Woburn,  Burlington, 
Somerville,  a  part  of  Cambridge,  West  Cambridge,  and 
Medford.  At  a  Court  holden  at  Boston,  April  1,  1634: 
"  There  is  two  hundred  acres  of  land  granted  to  Mr.  Increase 
Nowell,  lying  and  being  on  the  west  side  of  North  River,  called 
Three-mile  Brook"  (Maiden  River).  "  There  is  two  hundred 
acres  of  land  granted  to  Mr.  John  Wilson,  Pastor  of  the  Church 
in  Boston,  lying  next  the  land  granted  to  Mr.  Nowell  on  the 
south,  and  next  Meadford  on  the  north."  Medford  bounds 
would  have  run  to  Maiden  River,  had  not  these  four  hundred 
acres  of  land  intervened.  Outside  of  this  narrow  strip  were  the 
first  boundaries  of  Medford  on  the  north-east.  The  north  and 
north-western  bounds  were  the  "  Rocks ; "  that  range  of 
granite  hills,  of  which  Pine  Hill  forms  a  part.  The  line  ran 
north  of  Symmes'  Corner,  and  struck  Symmes'  river.  The 
Pond  and  Mystic  River  formed  the  southern  and  western 
boundaries. 

As  proof  of  these  statements,  we  have  the  following 
records  :  General  Court,  July  2,  1633.  —  "  It  is  ordered  that 
the  ground  lying  betwixt  the  North  River  and  the  Creek  on 
the  north  side  of  Mr.  Maverick's,  and  so  up  into  the  country, 
shall  belong  to  the  inhabitants  of  Charlestown."  "  General 
Court  holden  at  Newtown,  March  4,  1634.  All  the  ground, 
as  well  upland  as  meadow,  lying  and  being  betwixt  the  land 
of  Mr.  Nowell  and  Mr.  Wilson,  on  the  east,  and  the  parti- 
tion betwixt  Mystick  bounds  on  the  west,  bounded  with 
Mistick  River  on  the  south  and  the  Rocks  on  the  north,  is 
granted  to  Mr.  Mathew  Cradock,  merchant,  to  enjoy  to  him 
and  his  heirs  for  ever." 

General  Court,  March  3, 1635.  —  "  Ordered,  That  the  land 
formerly  granted  to  Mr.  Mathew  Cradock,  merchant,  shall  ex- 
tend a  mile  into  the  country  from  the  river-side  in  all  places." 

General  Court,  March  3,  1636.  —  "  Ordered,  That  Charles- 
town bounds  shall  run  eight  miles  into  the  country,  from 
their  meeting-house,  if  no  other  bounds  intercept,  reserving 


BOUNDARIES.  6 

the  propriety  of  farms  granted  to  John  Winthrop,  Esq.,  Mr. 
Nowell,  Mr.  Cradock,  and  Mr.  "Wilson,  to  the  owners  thereof, 
as  also  free  ingress  and  egress  for  the  servants  and  cattle  of 
the  said  gentlemen,  and  common  for  their  cattle  on  the  back 
side  of  Mr.  Cradock's  farm." 

General  Court,  Oct.  7,  1640.  —  "  Mr.  Tynge,  Mr.  Samuel 
Sheephard,  and  Goodman  Edward  Converse,  are  to  set  out  the 
bounds  between  Charlestown  and  Mr.  Cradock's  farm  on  the 
north  side  of  Mistick  River  "  (Stoneham  and  Maiden). 

"  Mystick  Side  "  was  the  first  name  of  Maiden  ;  "  Mystick 
Fields  "  the  name  of  the  land  on  the  south  side  of  Mystic 
River  from  Winter  Hill  to  Medford  Pond. 

April  13,  1687.  —  The  inhabitants  of  Medford  appointed 
three  gentlemen,  who,  in  conjunction  with  three  appointed 
by  Charlestown,  were  directed  to  fix  the  boundaries  between 
the  two  towns. 

That  Committee  report  as  follows  :  "  We  have  settled  and 
marked  both  stakes  and  lots  as  followeth :  From  the  Creek 
in  the  salt  marsh  by  a  ditch  below  Wilson's  farm  and  Medford 
farm  to  a  stake  and  heap  of  stones  out  of  the  swamp,  then 
turning  to  a  savin-tree  and  to  three  stakes  more  to  heaps  of 
stones  within  George  Blanchard's  field  with  two  stakes  more 
and  heaps  of  stones  standing  all  on  the  upland,  and  so  round 
from  stake  to  stake  as  the  swamp  runneth,  and  then  straight 
to  a  stake  on  the  south  side  of  the  house  of  Joseph  Blanch- 
ard's half,  turning  then  to  another  oak,  an  old  marked  tree, 
thence  to  a  maple-tree,  old  marks,  thence  unto  two  young 
maples,  new  marked,  and  thence  to  three  stakes  to  a  creek- 
head,  thence  straight  to  the  corner  line  on  the  south  side  of 
the  country  road  leading  to"  —  (Maiden).  How  soon  must 
such  marks  and  bounds  be  effaced  or  removed ! 

Oct.  23,  1702.  —  Medford  voted  to  petition  the  General 
Court  to  have  a  tract  of  land,  lying  in  the  south  of  Andover, 
(two  miles  square)  set  off  to  it. 

May  24,  1734.  —  Medford  voted,  "  That  the  town  will  pe- 
tition for  a  tract  of  land  beginning  at  the  southerly  end  of 
Medford  line,  on  the  easterly  side  of  said  town,  running 
there  eastward  on  Charlestown  to  the  mouth  of  Maiden 
River,  there  running  nearly  northward  on  the  said  Maiden 
River  to  the  mouth  of  "  Creek  Head  Creek,"  there  running 
with  said  creek  to  Medford  easterly  line.  And  also  a  piece 
of  land  on  the  northerly  side  of  said  Medford,  bounded 
i  easterly  on  Maiden  line,  northerly  on  Stoneham  and  Woburn 


4  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

line,  westerly  on  the  line  betwixt  Mr.  Symmes'  and  Gardner's 
farm,  running  there  northward  to  Mystic  Pond,  with  the 
the  inhabitants  thereof." 

March  31,  1735.  —  Voted  "to  choose  a  Committee  to  join 
with  the  Committee  of  Charlestown,  to  settle  the  bounds  of 
the  said  town  on  the  north-westerly  part  of  said  bounds, 
which  have  been  disputed." 

May  14,  1744. — Voted  to  choose  a  Committee  to  settle 
with  Charlestown  the  bounds  between  the  two  towns  "  near 
the  place  called  Mystic  Pond." 

"  March  7,  1748.  —  Put  to  vote  to  know  the  mind  of  the 
town,  whether  they  will  choose  a  Committee  to  use  their  best 
endeavors  to  have  the  lands  with  their  inhabitants,  now 
belonging  to  Charlestown,  added  to  this  town,  which  now 
are  on  the  southerly  and  northerly  sides  of  this  town." 

This  was  not  successful;  but,  May  14,  1753,  the  effort 
was  renewed ;  and  the  town  asks  for  2,800  acres,  and  was 
successful. 

The  bounds,  mentioned  in  the  petition  to  the  General 
Court,  were  as  follows  :  "  On  the  southerly  side,  those  that 
the  town  petitioned  for  in  the  year  1738 ;  and  those  on  the 
northerly  side,  bounded  northerly  on  Stoneham,  on  the  town 
of  Woburn  and  by  the  northerly  bounds  of  Mr.  William 
Symmes'  farm,  and  easterly  on  Maiden."  The  bounds  desig- 
nated in  the  petition  of  March  6,  1738,  are  as  follows  :  "  The 
southerly  tract  lying  in  Charlestown  bounded  northerly  with 
the  (river)  .  .  .  westerly  with  the  westerly  bounds  of  Mr. 
Smith's,  Mr.  Joseph  Tufts'  and  Mr.  Jonathan  Tufts'  farms, 
and  then  running  from  the  southerly  corner  of  Mr.  Jonathan 
Tufts'  farm,  eastward  straight  to  the  westerly  corner  of  Col. 
Royal's  farm ;  again  westerly  with  the  westerly  bounds  of 
Col.  Royal's  farm ;  again  southerly  with  its  southerly  bounds, 
and  then  running  from  the  south-easterly  corner  thereof  east- 
ward straight  to  Medford  River." 

The  action  of  the  Legislature  is  thus  recorded :  "  April 
18,  1754.  John  Quincy,  Esq.,  brought  down  the  petition  of 
the  town  of  Medford,  as  entered  the  17th  December  last, 
with  a  report  of  a  Committee  of  both  houses.  Signed  —  Jos. 
Pynchon." 

"  Passed  in  Council ;  viz. :  In  Council,  April  17th,  1754. 
Read  and  accepted,  with  the  amendment  at  A ;  and  ordered, 
That  the  lands  within  mentioned,  together  with  the  inhabi- 
tants thereon,  be  and  hereby  are  set  off  from  the  town  of. 


PONDS.  5 

Charlestown  to  the  town  of  Medford  accordingly.  Sent  down 
for  concurrence.     Read  and  concurred." 

Thus  on  the  17th  of  April,  1754,  Medford  was  enlarged 
by  all  its  territory  now  lying  on  the  south  side  of  the  river. 

March  13,  1771.  —  A  committee  was  chosen  by  the 
inhabitants  of  Medford,  "to  run  the  lines  anew  between 
Charlestown  and  Medford,  and  set  up  some  monuments 
between  the  towns."  A  joint  Committee  met,  and  set  up 
twenty-two  posts  as  metes.  For  present  bounds,  see  Wai- 
ting's map. 

Nov.  11,  1647.  —  The  town  shall  be  perambulated  once 
in  three  years. 


PONDS. 

Medford  Pond.  —  This  beautiful  sheet  of  water,  though 
cousin-german  to  the  sea,  is  as  quiet  and  retired  as  if  it 
never  received  a  visit  from  the  Atlantic  waters.  It  is  about 
three  miles  in  circumference,  half  a  mile  in  width,  and  no- 
where more  than  eighty  feet  in  depth.  It  is  divided  into  nearly 
equal  parts  by  a  shoal  called  the  Partings,  where  was  a  road 
used  by  several  persons,  some  of  whom  are  yet  living.  The 
lands  on  each  side  are  slightly  elevated,  and  in  future  times 
will  doubtless  be  filled  with  country  seats.  A  brook,  origin- 
ating in  Lexington  and  flowing  through  West  Cambridge, 
enters  the  south  pond  at  the  western  edge ;  and  another,  flow- 
ing through  Baconville,  enters  the  north  pond  at  the  north : 
these  are  all  the  fresh-water  tributary  supplies  of  which 
it  can  boast.  Every  twelve  hours,  it  is  raised  from  two  to 
six  inches,  by  the  inflowing  tide  through  Mystic  River ;  said 
river  finding  its  source  in  the  bosom  of  these  waters,  and  its 
end  in  the  sea. 

On  the  Medford  side  dwelt  the  Indian  chief;  and  that 
place  was  a  favorite  resort  of  the  tribes  visiting  the  sea-shore, 
or  fishing  for  shad  and  alewives. 

Spot  Pond.  —  "  Feb.  7,  1632.  The  Governor,  Mr.  Nowell,  Mr. 
Eliot,  and  others,  went  over  Mistic  River  at  Medford;  and,  going 
N.  and  by  E.  among  the  rocks  about  two  or  three  miles,  they 
came  to  a  very  great  pond,  having  in  the  midst  an  island  of  about 
one  acre,  and  very  thick  with  trees  of  pine,  beech  [birch] ;  and 
the  pond  had  divers  small  rocks  standing  up  here  and  there  in  it, 


6  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

which  they  therefore  called  Spot  Pond.  They  went  all  about  it 
upon  the  ice.  From  thence  (towards  the  N.  W.  about  half  a  mile) 
they  came  to  the  top  of  a  very  high  rock,  beneath  which  (towards 
the  N.)  lies  a  goodly  plain,  part  open  land  and  part  woody,  from 
whence  there  is  a  fair  prospect ;  but,  it  being  then  close  and  rainy, 
they  could  see  but  a  small  distance.  This  place  they  called  Cheese 
Hock,  because,  when  they  went  to  eat  somewhat,  they  had  only 
cheese  (the  Governor's  man  forgetting,  for  haste,  to  put  up  some 
bread)." 

Cheese  Eock  may  be  easily  found  on  the  west  side  of 
Forest  Street,  half  a  mile  N.  W.  of  the  northerly  border  of 
Spot  Pond. 


MYSTIC   RIVER. 

This  river  is  felt  to  belong  to  Medford  ;  for  we  may 
almost  say  that  it  has  its  beginning,  continuance,  and  end 
within  the  limits  of  our  town.  Where  or  why  it  obtained 
its  name  we  know  not.  It  presented  the  decisive  reason  to 
our  ancestors  for  settling  on  this  spot.  We  apprehend  it  is 
very  much  to-day  what  it  was  two  hundred  years  ago.  The  tide 
rises  about  twelve  feet  at  the  bridge,  and  about  eight  at  Rock 
Hill ;  but  it  rises  and  falls  so  gently  as  not  to  wear  away  the 
banks,  even  when  ice  floats  up  and  down  in  its  currents. 

The  first  record  we  have  concerning  it  is  Sept.  21,  1621. 
On  that  day,  a  band  of  pilgrim  adventurers  from  Plymouth 
came  by  water  "  to  Massachusetts  Bay ; "  and  they  coasted 
by  the  opening  of  our  river.  In  their  report  they  remark : 
"  Within  this  bay  the  salvages  say  there  are  two  rivers ;  Yhe 
one  whereof  we  saw  (Mystic)  having  a  fair  entrance,  but  we 
had  no  time  to  discover  it." 

Johnson  says  :  "  The  form  of  Charlestown,  in  the  frontis- 
piece thereof,  is  like  the  head,  neck,  and  shoulders  of  a  man ; 
only  the  pleasant  and  navigable  river  of  Mistick  runs  through 
the  right  shoulder  thereof." 

Rivers  were  the  first  highways ;  and,  as  it  was  easier  to 
build  a  canoe  than  open  a  road,  trade  took  the  course  of  navi- 
gable streams.  The  building  of  small  barks  on  the  banks 
of  Mystic  River,  as  early  as  1631,  shows  its  superior  claims 
to  other  places.  Trade  with  Boston  commenced  before  1645, 
and  the  river  was  the  thoroughfare.  Long  open  boats  were 
used  for  transportation,  and  they  substituted  the  tide  for  oars 


MYSTIC    RIVER.  7 

and  sails.  They  were  sometimes  drawn  with  ropes  by  men 
who  walked  on  the  bank. 

There  was  a  ford  across  this  stream  at  the  Wear  till  1748. 
The  ford  in  the  centre  of  Medford  continued  in  use  till  1639, 
and  was  about  ten  rods  above  the  bridge.  The  Penny  Ferry, 
where  Maiden  Bridge  now  is,  was  established  by  Charles- 
town,  April  2,  1640,  and  continued  to  September  28,  1787. 
There  was,  till  recently,  but  one  island  in  the  river,  and 
that  is  near  the  shore  in  Maiden,  at  Moulton's  Point,  and  is 
called ''White  Island."  Two  have  since  been  made;  one 
by  cutting  through  "Labor  in  Vain,"  and  the  other  by 
straightening  the  passage  above  the  bridge. 

The  depth  of  the  river  is  remarkable  for  one  so  narrow, 
and  its  freedom  from  sunken  rocks  and  dangerous  shoals 
more  remarkable  still.  Its  banks  are  generally  very  steep, 
showing  that  it  becomes  wider  with  age,  if  it  changes  at  all. 
It  has  not  probably  changed  its  current  much  since  our 
fathers  first  saw  it ;  and  the  marshes  through  which  it  flows 
look  to  our  eyes  as  they  did  to  theirs.  Few  events  of 
extraordinary  interest  have  been  witnessed  upon  its  waters. 
The  well-known  curve  in  the  bed  of  the  river,  near  "  the 
rock,"  extending  more  than  half  a  mile,  made  the  passage 
round  it  so  difficult,  especially  with  sails,  that  it  soon  received 
the  name  of  Labor  in  Vain.  It  often  became  necessary  for 
men  to  drag  boats  round  a  part  of  this  narrow  strip  of  land, 
by  means  of  ropes  stretched  to  the  shore.  In  1761,  the 
inhabitants  of  Medford  proposed  to  cut  a  canal  across  this 
peninsula ;  and  they  voted  to  do  it,  if  it  could  be  done  by  sub- 
scription !  The  expense  was  found  to  fall  upon  so  few  that 
the  plan  failed.     "Within  our  day  it  has  been  accomplished. 

In  the  revolutionary  war,  our  river  was  occasionally  a  resort 
for  safety.  August  6,  1775,  Mr.  Nowell  says :  "  This  day, 
skirmishing  up  Mistick  River.  Several  soldiers  brought  over 
here  (Boston)  wounded.  The  house  at  Penny  Ferry,  Maiden 
side,  burnt."  August  13th  he  says :  "  Several  Gondaloes 
sailed  up  Mistick  River,  upon  which  the  Provincials  (Med- 
ford) and  they  had  a  skirmish;  many  shots  were  exchanged, 
but  nothing  decisive." 

Lightering  had  become  so  extensive  a  business  as  to  need 
every  facility ;  and  in  April,  1797,  the  town  chose  a  Com- 
mittee to  examine  the  bed  and  banks  oi  the  river  ;  and,  if  they 
found  that  any  clearing  was  necessary,  they  were  empowered 
to  do  it. 


»  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

March  7,  1803.  —  A  Committee  was  appointed  by  the  town 
"  to  find  out  what  rights  the  town  has  on  the  river." 

Ship-building  made  the  river  an  object  of  vital  importance  ; 
and,  while  the  tonnage  of  the  ships  was  small,  the  depth 
of  water  was  deemed  sufficient ;  yet  there  were  many  who 
wished  the  town  might  widen  and  deepen  the  bed.  Several 
applications  were  made,  but  always  without  success.  In 
June,  1836,  an  effort  was  made  in  earnest ;  but  the  impres- 
sion with  the  majority  of  voters  was,  that  no  expense  need 
be  incurred  until  some  vessel  had  found  it  impossible  to  float 
down  on  the  highest  tides.  This  misfortune  never  occurred. 
It  always  has  had  depth  of  water  sufficient  to  float  any  empty, 
unrigged  ship  of  2,500  tons.  March  14,  1843,  the  town 
voted  to  remove  and  prevent  all  obstructions  to  the  free  ebb 
and  flow  of  the  water. 

At  the  time  when  Medford  was  the  centre  of  considerable 
trade ;  when  vessels  were  loaded  at  our  wharves  for  the  West 
India  markets ;  when  bark  and  wood  were  brought  from 
Maine,  and  we  had  rich  and  active  merchants  among  us ;  at 
that  time  it  was  no  unusual  sight  to  see  two,  four,  or  six 
sloops  and  schooners  at  our  wharves,  and  as  many  in  our 
river. 

Soon  after  Fulton  had  propelled  vessels  by  steam,  a  vessel 
so  propelled  came  up  our  river  to  Medford,  and  was  here 
repaired. 

The  number  of  adult  persons  who  have  been  drowned  in 
Mystic  River  is  not  small.  In  the  early  records,  deaths 
in  this  way  are  often  noticed.  About  fifty  years  ago,  there 
seemed  something  like  fatality  in  this  matter.  One  death  by 
drowning  occurred  each  year,  through  so  many  years  in  suc- 
cession, that  the  inhabitants  got  to  think  that  there  was  a 
river -god,  who  would  have  his  annual  sacrifice. 

On  the  borders  of  this  stream,  there  have  always  existed 
what  are  now  called  "  landings."  These  were  used  by  the 
Indians  for  rendezvous  during  their  annual  fishing  seasons. 
Afterwards  they  were  used  by  our  fathers  for  loading  and  un- 
loading of  sloops  and  schooners.  Later  still,  they  were  used 
by  our  fishermen  for  emptying  their  nets.  Some  have  recently 
been  occupied  as  ship-yards.  In  the  Wade  Family  there  is  a 
tradition  that  their  ancestor,  Major  Jonathan  Wade,  gave  to 
the  town,  about  the  year  1680,  the  landing  place  now  occu- 
pied by  Mr.  J.  T.  Foster. 

Feb.  21,  1698.  —  At  this  time  the  river  was  frozen,  as  it  is 


BROOKS.  9 

in  our  day.  Judge  Sewall,  under  this  date,  says :  "  I  rode 
over  to  Charlestown  on  the  ice,  then  over  to  Stower's  (Chel- 
sea), so  to  Mr.  Wigglesworth.  The  snow  was  so  deep  that  I 
had  a  hard  journey ;  could  go  but  a  foot-pace  on  Mystic  River, 
the  snow  was  so  deep." 

The  absence  of  epidemics  in  Medford  is  to  be  attributed 
in  part  to  the  presence  of  our  river.  At  high  tide  the  water 
is  brackish  ;  and,  at  the  spring  tides,  quite  salt.  As  the  banks 
are  wet  anew  by  the  rising  tide  every  twelve  hours,  and  are 
left  to  dry  when  the  waters  run  out,  the  exhalations  from 
this  operation  are  great  every  day,  though  invisible  ;  and  they 
salt  the  atmosphere,  and  cleanse  it,  and  make  it  healthy. 
The  exact  reverse  of  this  would  be  the  case,  if  there  could 
be  a  fresh-water  tide,  which  should  leave  fresh-water  vege- 
tables exposed  every  day  to  the  action  of  the  sun.  This 
beautiful  and  breathing  stream,  which  seems  to  have  studied 
the  laws  of  grace,  as  it  winds  and  wreathes  itself  through  the 
intervale,  has  one  more  claim  to  notice,  if  not  to  gratitude. 
To  the  boys  of  Medford  how  welcome  are  its  waters  through 
the  warm  season !  So  vivid  are  our  recollections  of  our  daily 
bath  in  this  beloved  river,  that  we  think  it  worth  while  for 
parents  to  send  their  children  from  the  country  here  to  school, 
if  only  to  strengthen  and  delight  them  with  a  salt  bath  in  the 
Mystic. 

BROOKS. 

That  which  runs  a  short  distance  east  of  the  West  Med- 
ford Depot,  on  the  Lowell  Railroad,  was  called  Whitmorz's 
Brook  after  the  pious  deacon,  whose  house  was  on  the  north 
side  of  High  Street,  about  two  rods  west  of  the  brook.  It 
rises  in  "Bear  Meadow." 

Marble  Brook,  now  called  "Meeting-house  Brook,"  crosses 
High  Street  about  forty  rods  north-east  of  "Rock  Hill."  In 
spring,  smelts  resort  to  it  in  great  numbers. 

The  brook  or  creek  over  which  Gravelly  Bridge  is  built 
was  called  "Gravelly  Creek,"  but  more  lately  "Pine  Hill 
Brook."  The  stream  is  small,  but  much  swelled  by  winter 
rains.     It  has  its  source  in  Turkey  Swamp. 

The  brook  which  crosses  the  road,  at  a  distance  of  a  quar- 
ter of  a  mile  south  of  the  "  Royal  House,"  was  named 
"Winter  Brook."  It  has  its  source  near  the  foot  of  Walnut 
Hill. 

1 


10  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORB. 


HILLS. 


The  hill  commanding  the  widest  prospect,  and  most  visited 
by  pleasure  parties,  is  "  Pine  Hill,"  in  the  north-east  part  of 
the  town,  near  Spot  Pond.  As  part  of  the  low  range  of  hills, 
called  the  "  Rocks,"  which  runs  east  and  west,  and  nearly 
marks  the  northern  boundary  of  the  town,  it  is  the  highest. 
It  was  covered  with  as  dense  a  forest  as  its  thin  soil  on  the 
rock  could  sustain.  In  early  time  the  wood  was  burned. 
When  the  army  was  stationed  near  us,  in  1775-6,  the  wood 
was  cut  off,  in  part,  for  its  supply.  After  then  it  grew,  and 
within  twenty  years  has  been  a  thick  wood  again.  Recently 
the  whole  hill  has  been  denuded,  and  much  of  its  poetry  lost. 
The  earth  looks  best  with  its  beard.  This  eminence  —  which 
commands  a  view  of  Chelsea  and  Boston  Harbor  on  the  east ; 
Boston,  Roxbury,  and  Cambridge,  on  the  south ;  Brighton, 
Watertown,  and  West  Cambridge,  on  the  west ;  and  a  vast 
track  of  woodland  on  the  north  —  has  on  its  summit  a  flat 
rock,  called  "  Lover's  Rock ;  "  one  of  those  register-surfaces 
where  a  young  gentleman,  with  a  hammer  and  a  nail,  could 
engrave  the  initials  of  two  names  provokingly  near  together. 
The  view  from  this  hill,  so  diversified  and  grand,  fills  the  eye 
with  pleasure,  and  the  mind  with  thought. 

"  Pasture  Hill,"  on  which  Dr.  Swan's  summer-house, 
in  his  garden,  now  stands,  is  high,  and  commands  much  of 
the  eastern  and  southern  scenery  above  noticed.  The  hill  is 
mostly  rock,  and  will  afford,  in  coming  years,  a  most  magni- 
ficent site  for  costly  houses. 

The  next  highest  and  most  interesting  spot,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  river,  is  "Mystic  Mount,"  in  West  Medford, 
near  the  Brooks  Schoolhouse.  It  is  owned  by  the  town, 
and  commands  much  the  same  view  as  Pine  Hill,  only  at  a 
lower  angle.  To  some  of  us  who  have  kept  it  for  more  than 
half  a  century,  as  our  favorite  look-out,  it  has  charms  inde- 
scribably dear,  and  we  regard  it  somewhat  as  we  do  an  ancient 
member  of  a  family.  Its  neighbor,  "Rock  Hill,"  on  the 
border  of  the  river,  is  a  barren  rock,  so  high  as  to  overlook 
the  houses  situated  at  the  east,  and  to  afford  a  most  delight- 
ful view  of  West  Cambridge. 

f<  Walnut  Tree  Hill,"  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  was 
once  covered  with  walnut-trees.  The  Tufts  College  on  its 
top  enjoys  perhaps  an  unparalleled  site.     From  the  roof  of 


11 


that  building  the  eye  has  a  panorama  not  surpassed  for  what 
might  be  called  a  home-view.  The  spires  of  twenty-eight 
churches  are  in  sight ;  also  the  State  House,  Cambridge 
Colleges,  Bunker  Hill  Monument,  the  old  Powder  House, 
and  the  most  captivating  view  of  Medford.  The  beauties  of 
upland  and  valley,  of  meadows  and  marshes,  of  river  and 
creeks,  of  ocean  and  islands,  of  cities  and  towns,  all  lie  im- 
mediately beneath,  in  that  domestic  nearness  and  manageable 
form  which  seems  to  doubly  make  them  the  property  of  the 
eye. 

There  are  many  smaller  hills  within  Medford,  making 
parts  of  the  "Rocks"  at  the  north,  which  have  not  yet 
received  names.  One  fact  is  worthy  notice,  that  among  these 
hills  there  are  copious  springs  of  the  sweetest  water ;  and,  in 
imagination,  we  can  see  them  falling  in  beautiful  cascades  in 
the  future  gardens  of  opulent  citizens. 


CLIMATE. 

A  short  record  only  of  this  is  necessary.  Governor  Win- 
throp  writes,  July  23,  1630:  "For  the  country  itself,  I 
can  discern  little  difference  between  it  and  our  own.  We 
have  had  only  two  days  which  I  have  observed  more  hot 
than  in  England.  Here  is  sweet  air,  fair  rivers,  and  plenty 
of  springs,  and  the  water  better  than  in  England."  An 
experience  of  only  six  weeks  in  June  and  July  was  not 
enough  to  warrant  a  safe  judgment  concerning  the  climate. 
Another  testimony,  Oct.  30,  1631,  is  as  follows:  "The 
Governor  having  erected  a  building  of  stone  at  Mistic,  there 
came  so  violent  a  storm  of  rain,  for  twenty-four  hours,  that 
(it  being  not  finished,  and  laid  with  clay  for  want  of  lime) 
two  sides  of  it  were  washed  down  to  the  ground,  and  much 
harm  was  done  to  the  other  houses  by  that  storm."  The 
form  of  the  land  in  this  neighborhood  has  its  effect  on  our 
climate.  We  have  neither  of  the  extremes  which  belong  to 
deep,  long  valleys,  and  high  mountains.  We  have  very  little 
fog  during  the  year.  In  Medford  there  are  few,  if  any,  places 
where  water  can  stagnate ;  it  readily  finds  its  way  to  the 
river;  and  the  good  influence  of  this  fact  on  climate  and 
health  is  considerable.  The  presence  of  salt  water  and  salt 
marshes  is  another  favorable  circumstance.  Lightnings  do 
not  strike  here  so  often  as  between  ranges  of  high  hills ;  and 


12  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOKD. 

the  thermometer  does  not  report  Medford  as  famous  for 
extremes  of  heat  or  cold.  The  time,  we  think,  is  not  far 
distant,  when  the  great  law,  regulating  the  changes  of  the 
weather,  will  be  discovered.  God  hasten  the  momentous 
development ! 

SOIL  AND   PRODUCTIONS. 

The  soil  in  New  England,  like  that  of  all  primitive  forma- 
tions, is  rocky,  thin,  and  hard  to  till.  A  visitor  from  the 
western  prairies,  when  he  first  looks  on  our  fields,  involun- 
tarily asks,  "  How  can  you  get  your  living  out  of  these 
lands  ? "  We  reply,  that  the  little  soil  we  have  is  very 
strong,  and  by  good  manure  and  hard  labor  we  get  the  best 
of  crops.  We  generally  add,  that  we,  New  Englanders,  are 
granite  men,  and  can  do  almost  any  thing ! 

That  the  virgin  soil,  first  opened  by  our  European  ploughs, 
should  give  a  prophetic  yield,  is  not  surprising.  The  richest 
spots  only  had  been  chosen  by  the  Indians.  Capt.  Smith,  in 
his  voyage  here  (1614),  calls  the  territory  about  us  "the 
paradise  of  all  those  parts." 

Rev.  Mr.  Higginson,  writing  to  his  friends  in  England,  in 
1629,  on  "New  England's  Plantation,"  gives  the  following 
description  of  the  soil,  climate,  and  productions :  — 

"  I  have  been  careful  to  report  nothing  but  what  I  have  seen 
with  my  own  eyes.  The  land  at  Charles  River  is  as  fat,  black 
earth  as  can  be  seen  anywhere.  Though  all  the  country  be,  as  it 
were,  a  thick  wood  for  the  general,  yet  in  divers  places  there  is 
much  ground  cleared  by  the  Indians.  It  is  thought  here  is  good 
clay  to  make  bricks,  and  tyles,  and  earthern  pots,  as  need  be.  At 
this  instant  we  are  sitting  a  brick  kiln  on  work. 

"  The  fertility  of  the  soil  is  to  be  admired  at,  as  appeareth  in 
the  abundance  of  grass  that  groweth  everywhere,  both  very  thick, 
very  long,  and  very  high,  in  divers  places.  But  it  groweth  very 
wildly,  with  a  great  stalk,  and  a  broad  and  ranker  blade  ;  because 
it  never  had  been  eaten  by  cattle,  nor  mowed  by  a  sythe,  and  sel- 
dom trampled  on  by  foot.  It  is  scarce  to  be  believed  how  our 
kine  and  goats,  horses  and  hoggs,  do  thrive  and  prosper  here  and 
like  well  of  this  country.  Our  turnips,  parsnips,  and  carrots  are 
here  both  bigger  and  sweeter  than  is  ordinary  to  be  found  in  Eng- 
land. Here  are  stores  of  pumpions,  cowcumbers,  and  other  things 
of  that  nature.  Also,  divers  excellent  pot  herbs,  strawberries, 
pennyroyal,  wintersaverie,  sorrell,  brookelime,  liverwort,  and 
watercresses ;   also,  leekes  and  onions  are  ordinarie,  and  divers 


SOIL    AND    PRODUCTIONS.  13 

physical  herbs.  Here  are  plenty  of  single  damask  roses,  very 
sweet ;  also,  mulberries,  plums,  raspberries,  currants,  chessnuts, 
filberds,  walnuts,  smallnuts,  hurtleberries,  and  hawes  of  white- 
thorne,  near  as  good  as  cherries  in  England.  They  grow  in  plenty 
here." 

The  fullest  credit  may  be  given  to  these  statements  of  Mr. 
Higginson.  They  show,  among  other  things,  that  the  region 
we  now  occupy  was  a  dense  forest  in  1629.  This  confirms 
the  story  told  of  Gov.  Winthrop ;  that  when  he  took  up  his 
residence  on  his  farm  at  "  Ten  Hills,"  on  the  bank  of  Mystic 
River,  he  one  day  penetrated  the  forest  near  "  Winter  Hill." 
He  so  lost  his  latitude  and  longitude  as  to  become  entirely 
bewildered.  Night  came  on,  and  he  knew  not  which  way  to 
steer.  After  many  ineffectual  trials  to  descry  any  familiar 
place,  he  resigned  himself  to  his  fate,  kindled  a  fire,  put  phi- 
losophy in  his  pocket,  and  bivouacked,  feeling  much  as  St. 
Paul  did  in  his  shipwreck-voyage,  when  they  "  cast  anchor, 
and  wished  for  day."  What  the  Governor  learned  or 
dreamed  of  during  that  rural  night  we  are  not  specifically 
told  ;  but  his  absence  created  a  sharp  alarm  among  his  family, 
and  a  hunting  party  started  in  quest  of  him.  They  "  shot  off 
pieces  and  hallooed  in  the  night;  but  he  heard  them  not." 
He  found  his  way  home  in  the  morning,  and  discovered  that 
he  had  been  near  his  house  most  of  the  time. 

It  would  be  hard,  in  our  day,  to  find  a  forest  within  sight 
of  the  "  Ten -Hill  Farm  "  in  which  a  boy  of  ten  years  old 
could  be  lost  for  a  moment.  The  almost  entire  destruction 
of  our  forests  within  twenty  miles  of  Boston,  and  our  inex- 
plicable neglect  in  planting  new  ones,  argues  ill,  not  only  for 
our  providence  and  economy,  but  for  our  patriotism  and  taste. 
Plant  a  hogshead  of  acorns  in  yonder  rockland,  and  your 
money  will  return  you  generous  dividends  from  nature's 
savings'  bank. 

In  1629,  Mr.  Graves,  of  Charlestown,  said  in  a  letter  sent 
to  England:  "Thus  much  I  can  affirm  in  general,  that  I 
never  came  in  a  more  goodly  country  in  all  my  life.  If  it 
hath  not  at  any  time  been  manured  and  husbanded,  yet  it  is 
very  beautiful  in  open  lands,  mixed  with  goodly  woods,  and 
again  open  plains,  in  some  places  five  hundred  acres,  some 
places  more,  some  less,  not  much  troublesome  for  to  clear  for 
the  plough  to  go  in ;  no  place  barren,  but  on  the  tops  of 
hills." 


14  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOED. 

Governor  Winthrop,  writing  to  his  son,  runs  a  parallel 
between  the  soil  of  Mistick  and  its  neighborhood,  and  the 
soil  of  England,  and  says :  "  Here  is  as  good  land  as  I  have 
seen  there,  though  none  so  bad  as  there.  Here  can  be  no 
want  of  any  thing  to  those  who  bring  means  to  raise  out  of 
the  earth  and  sea."  Nov.  29,  1630,  he  writes  to  his  wife, 
and  says  :  "  My  dear  wife,  we  are  here  in  a  paradise."  Such 
testimony  from  a  Mystic  man,  and  he  the  Governor,  reads 
agreeably  to  our  ears.  The  grants  of  land  made  by  the 
General  Court  to  Governor  Winthrop,  Mr.  Cradock,  Rev. 
Mr.  Wilson,  and  Mr.  Nowell,  show  conclusively  what  the 
best  judges  thought  of  the  soil  and  capabilities  of  Medford. 

Deputy-Governor  Dudley,  in  1631,  writes:  "That  honest 
men,  out  of  a  desire  to  draw  others  over  to  them,  wrote 
somewhat  hyperbolically  of  many  things  here." 

Our  first  farmers  here  were  taught  by  the  Indians  how  to 
raise  corn ;  and,  in  return  for  that  kind  service,  they  gave  the 
redmen  European  seeds,  and  called  the  American  grain 
"Indian  corn."  Their  crop  in  1631  was  most  abundant;  and 
they  began  the  strange  experiment  of  eating  Indian  corn, 
yet  with  singular  misgivings.  The  crop  of  the  next  year 
was  small,  owing  to  the  shortness  and  humidity  of  the  sum- 
mer. Their  fields  were  not  generally  fenced,  and  boundary 
lines  were  often  unsettled.  After  a  few  years,  fences  became 
more  necessary ;  and  Sagamore  John  was  made  to  fence  his 
field,  and  promised  to  indemnify  the  whites  for  any  damages 
his  men  or  cattle  should  do  to  their  cornfields.  There  were 
many  lands  held  in  common  by  companies  of  farmers,  as 
lands  are  now  held  in  Nantucket.  These  large  tracts  were 
enclosed  by  fences,  planted  by  the  whole  company ;  and,  at 
the  harvest,  each  received  according  to  his  proportion  in  the 
investment.  This  complicated  plan  brought  its  perplexities  ; 
and  the  General  Court,  to  settle  them,  passed  the  following 
law,  May  26,  1647:  Ordered,  "That  they  who  own  the 
largest  part  of  any  lands  common  shall  have  power  to  order 
and  appoint  the  improvement  of  the  whole  field." 

The  farmers  here  experienced  great  inconvenience  and 
alarm  from  the  burning  of  woods.  Such  was  the  Indian 
system  of  clearing  a  forest;  but  it  would  not  do  where 
European  settlements  obtained.  Our  fathers  therefore  applied 
legislation  to  the  matter  in  the  following  form :  "  Nov.  5, 
1639.  —  Ordered,  That  whosoever  shall  kindle  a  fire  in  other 
men's  grounds,  or  in  any  common  grounds,  shall  be  fined 


SOIL    AND    PRODUCTIONS.  15 

forty  shillings.  No  fires  to  be  kindled  before  trie  first  of 
March." 

They  offered  a  small  bounty  on  every  acre  of  planted  field. 
We  presume  that  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts  was  quite  as 
far  advanced  in  agricultural  skill  and  productive  harvests 
as  that  of  Connecticut ;  therefore,  we  can  judge  from  Mr. 
Wolcott's  farm  in  Connecticut  what  and  how  much  our 
Medford  farmers  raised.  That  distinguished  magistrate  says 
(1638):  "I  made  five  hundred  hogsheads  of  cider  out  of 
my  own  orchard  in  one  year  !  "  We  apprehend  these  hogs- 
heads were  not  of  the  modern  size,  but  were  a  larger  kind 
of  barrel.  He  says  :  "  Cider  is  10s.  a  hogshead."  He  gives 
an  enumeration  of  products  thus  :  "  English  wheat,  rye,  flax, 
hemp,  clover,  oats,  corn,  cherries,  quince,  apple,  pear,  plum, 
barberry -trees."  A  very  tasteful  catalogue  !  It  sounds  very 
little  like  scarcity  or  self-denial. 

It  seems  that  the  land  hereabouts  was  as  rich  and  produc- 
tive as  in  any  of  the  neighboring  states :  nevertheless,  it 
needed  help  from  manure ;  and  Johnson  tells  us,  that  in  this 
region  "there  was  a  great  store  of  fish  in  the  spring  time, 
and  especially  alewives,  about  the  largeness  of  a  herring. 
Many  thousand  of  these  they  use  to  put  under  their  Indian 
corn."     They  are  sometimes  so  used  at  this  day. 

May  22,  1639.  — "  It  is  forbidden  to  all  men,  after  the 
20th  of  next  month,  to  employ  any  cod  or  bass  fish  for 
manuring  of  ground." 

May  26,  1647. —Ordered,  "That  all  cattle  that  feed  on 
public  commons  shall  be  marked  with  pitch." 

Hiring  land  was  not  unusual.  There  were  many  adventu- 
rers who  did  not  belong  to  the  company,  and  they  settled 
where  they  could  buy  or  hire  at  the  best  advantage.  Oct.  7, 
1640,  we  find  the  following  record :  "  John  Greenland  is 
granted  his  petition,  which  is,  to  plant  upon  a  five-acre  lot  in 
Charlestown,  bounds  on  Mistick  River." 

The  rule  for  planting  was :  Plant  when  the  white-oak 
leaves  are  the  size  of  a  mouse's  ear.     Hence  the  lines  :  — 

"  When  the  white-oak  leaves  look  goslin  grey, 
Plant  then,  be  it  April,  June,  or  May."    ' 

The  first  settlers  very  soon  found  clay  in  different  parts  of 
their  plantation,  where  cellars  and  wells  were  dug ;  and  they 
concluded  that  drought  could  not  extensively  injure  a  soil 
which  had  a  deep  substratum  of  this  water-proof  material. 


16  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  see  the  progress  of  vegetation  in 
this  locality.     It  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  1646,  Aug.     1.  The  great  pears  ripe. 
,,       3.  The  long  apples  ripe. 
,,     12.  Blaekstone's  apples  gathered. 
,,     15.  Tankerd  apples  gathered. 
,,     18.  Kreton  pippins  and  long  red  apples  gathered. 

1647,  July    5.  We  began  to  cut  the  peas  in  the  field. 

„     14.  We  began  to  shear  rye. 
Aug.    2.  We  mowed  barley. 

„  Same  week  we  shear  summer  wheat. 

„       7.  The  great  pears  gathered. 
Sept.  15.  The  russetins  gathered,  and  pearmaines. 

1648,  May  26.  Sown  one  peck  of  peas,  the  moon  in  the  full.     Observe 

how  they  prove. 
July  28.  Summer  apples  gathered. 

1649,  July  20x.  Apricoks  ripe." 

Oct.  2,  1689. — A  tax  was  to  be  paid;  and  the  valuations 
were  as  follow:  "Each  ox,  £2.  10s.;  each  cow,  £1.  10s.; 
each  horse,  £2 ;  each  swine,  6s. ;  each  acre  of  tillage  land, 
5s. ;  each  acre  of  meadow  and  English  pasture,  5s."  The 
tax  on  land  bounded  out  in  propriety  was  "  2s.  on  each  hun- 
dred acres." 

Our  fathers  were  farmers  after  the  English  modes,  and 
therefore  had  to  learn  many  new  ways  from  the  sky  and  the 
climate.  The  times  of  ploughing  and  planting  here,  in  spring 
and  autumn,  varied  somewhat  from  those  of  their  native 
land.  Some  plants,  which  in  cold  and  misty  England  wooed 
the  sun,  could  best  thrive  here  if  they  wooed  the  shade. 
While  land  there,  with  a  south-eastern  exposure,  was  worth 
much  more  for  culture  than  that  which  faced  the  north-west, 
the  difference  here  was  comparatively  small.  ^They  were 
happily  disappointed  in  the  slight  labor  and  certainty  in 
making  hay  under  our  sun  and  clear  skies.  They  had  soon 
to  learn  that  their  stock  of  all  kinds  must  be  sheltered  from 
the  destroying  cold  and  storms  of  an  American  winter.  In 
the  preservation  of  vegetables  and  fruits,  also,  our  fathers 
had  to  receive  new  instruction  from  the  climate.  These  they 
preserved  by  burying  them.  It  took  them  several  years  to 
adjust  themselves  to  the  novel  activity  of  common  laws  and 
familiar  agents. 

As  the  soil  and  climate  must  determine  what  grains,  fruits, 
and  vegetables  can  be  raised  with  profit,  it  soon  became 
evident  to  our  Medford  farmers  that  Indian  corn  was  to  be  a 
staple.     Rye,  barley,  wheat,  and  oats  were  found  productive 


SOIL    AND    PRODUCTIONS. 


17 


as  grains  ;  peas  and  beans  yielded  abundantly ;  while  turnips, 
beets,  onions,  and  parsnips  gradually  grew  into  favor. 
Potatoes  were  not  known  to  our  first  settlers ;  although, 
among  the  articles,  "  to  send  for  New  England/'  from  Lon- 
don, March  16,  1628,  "potatoes"  are  named.  The  potato 
is  a  native  of  Chili  and  Peru.  We  think  there  is  no  satisfac- 
tory record  of  potatoes  being  in  England  before  they  were 
carried  from  Santa  Fe,  in  America,  by  Sir  John  Hawkins,  in 
1653.  They  are  often  mentioned  as  late  as  1692.  Their 
first  culture  in  Ireland  is  referred  to  Sir  Walter  Raleigh, 
who  had  large  estates  there.  A  very  valuable  kind  of  potato 
was  first  carried  from  America  by  "  that  patriot  of  every 
clime,"  Mr.  Howard,  who  cultivated  it  at  Cardington,  near 
Bedford,  1765.  Its  culture  then  had  become  general.  Its 
first  introduction  to  this  neighborhood  is  said  to  have  been  by 
those  emigrants,  called  the  "  Scotch  Irish,"  who  first  entered 
Londonderry,  New  Hampshire,  April  11,  1719.  As  they 
passed  through  Andover,  Mass.,  they  left  some  potatoes  as 
seed  to  be  planted  that  spring.  They  were  planted  according 
to  the  directions ;  and  their  balls,  when  ripened,  were  supposed 
to  be  the  edible  fruit.  The  balls,  therefore,  were  carefully 
cooked  and  eaten ,  but  the  conclusion  was  that  the  Andover 
people  did  not  like  potatoes !  An  early  snow-storm  covered 
the  potato-field,  and  kept  the  tubers  safely  till  the  plough  of 
the  next  spring  hove  them  into  sight.  Some  of  the  largest 
were  then  boiled;  whereupon  the  Andover  critics  changed 
their  opinion,  and  have  patronized  them  from  that  day.  When 
the  potato  was  first  known  in  Scotland,  it  suffered  a  religious 
persecution,  like  some  other  innocent  things.  The  Scots 
thought  it  to  be  a  most  unholy  esculent,  blasphemous  to  raise, 
and  sacrilegious  to  eat.  They  therefore  made  its  cultivation 
an  illegal  act ;  and  why  ?  "  Because,"  as  they  say,  "it  is  not 
mentioned  in  the  Bible  "  !  The  prejudice  against  this  unof- 
fending vegetable  was  so  great  at  Naples,  in  Italy,  that  the 
people  refused  to  eat  it  during  a  famine !  We  do  not  find 
that  any  epidemic  has  attacked  this  healthy  plant  until  the 
potato  cholera,  which,  of  late,  has  nearly  ruined  it.  The  soil 
in  Medford  has  been  found  particularly  fitted  for  this  plant, 
owing  to  a  substratum  of  clay  which  keeps  it  moist.  The 
early  mode  of  preserving  potatoes  through  the  winter  was  to 
bury  them  below  the  reach  of  the  frost,  and  shelter  them 
froni  rain. 

The  barns  of  our  pilgrim  fathers  were  very  small,  because 
3 


18  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOKD. 

they  stacked  their  hay  out-doors,  according  to  the  usage  of 
their  native  land.  When  sheep  and  swine  could  be  trusted 
in  the  woods,  they  were  left  there  till  deep  snows  made  it 
impossible  to  find  food.  The  fatting  of  cattle  was  an  easy 
and  cheap  process  ;  for  they  had  hundreds  of  acres  over  which 
to  range,  unlooked  to  by  their  owners,  till  the  close  of  the 
summer,  when  they  were  taken  to  the  stall,  and  fed  with  corn. 
Each  quadruped  was  marked  with  its  owner's  name,  and  was 
immediately  restored  when  it  had  wandered  into  a  neighbor- 
ing town. 

When  lands  were  not  fenced,  the  following  law,  passed 
March  9,  1637,  was  necessary.  "All  swine  shall  be  kept 
up  in  yards,  islands,  or  committed  to  keepers,  under  penalty 
of  10s.  for  every  swine  so  disposed  of;  and  whatsoever 
swine  shall  be  taken  in  corn  or  meadow-ground  shall  forfeit 
5s.  a  piece  to  those  that  shall  empound  them,  and  the  owners 
shall  be  liable  to  pay  double  damages."  When  mowing 
grounds  and  tillage  fields  became  fenced,  and  that  was  early, 
then  it  became  a  common  habit  with  our  ancestors  to  let 
"  hogs  run  at  large,"  as  they  do  now  in  the  city  of  New 
York ;  of  which  license  more  may  be  said  of  its  economy 
than  of  its  neatness.  March  10,  1721,  the  town  of  Medford 
voted  to  let  the  hogs  go  at  large,  as  they  formerly  have  done. 
This  vote  was  repealed  in  1727.  There  gradually  grew  up  a 
strong  dislike  of  this  custom,  and  some  altercations  occurred 
in  town-meetings  concerning  it ;  when,  in  March  12,  1770, 
the  inhabitants  vote  that  the  hogs  should  not  go  at  large  any 
longer.  After  this  there  must  have  been  a  vast  improvement 
in  the  appearance  of  the  public  roads,  and  of  the  grounds 
about  private  dwellings. 

The  raising  of  all  kinds  of  stock  was  deemed  of  para- 
mount importance,  and  served  more  towards  enriching  our 
farmers  than  any  other  part  of  labor;  since  proximity  to 
Boston  furnished  an  easy  and  sure  market.  Ship-building  at 
first,  and  then  brick-making,  opened  quite  a  market  within 
their  own  territory ;  and  we  must  think  that  our  early  farm- 
ers were  favorably  situated  for  making  a  comfortable  living. 

Spinning  and  weaving  were  almost  as  much  a  part  of  farm- 
labor  as  the  making  of  butter  and  cheese ;  and  the  farmer's 
wife  and  daughters  were  not  a  whit  behind  him  in  patient 
toil  or  productive  results.  Hemp  and  flax  were  used  for 
clothing ;  and  the  labor  of  making  these  into  garments  for 
workmen  was  not  small. 


SOIL    AND    PRODUCTIONS.  19 

For  the  first  hundred  years  of  our  settlement,  the  attention 
of  agriculturists  must  have  been  directed  to  clear  up  lands, 
erect  stone  walls,  ditch  marshes,  and  open  roads,  while  they 
also  studied  the  rotation  of  crops,  and  procured  new  seeds 
from  other  localities.  When  Boston  became  a  large  town, 
our  farmers  were  prompt  in  supplying  it  with  milk  ;  and  this 
new  business  gradually  extended  till  it  became  one  of  the 
most  lucrative.  This  led  to  raising  cows  on  an  extensive 
scale ;  while  this,  in  its  turn,  led  to  raising  grass  and  hay  in 
preference  to  corn.  The  amount  of  butter  and  cheese  made  in 
Medford  has  been  therefore  comparatively  small ;  the  milk 
farms  being  found  more  profitable.  At  the  beginning  of  this 
century,  the  quantity  of  milk  sold  in  Boston  by  our  Medford 
farmers  was  very  great ;  its  price  varying  from  three  to  five 
cents  a  quart.  The  cows  were  milked  by  earliest  daylight, 
and  the  vender  was  in  Boston  by  sunrise.  Within  the  last 
thirty  years,  the  milk  has  found  its  market  more  in  Medford ; 
and  several  large  farms  have  been  used  to  raise  hay  for  the 
horses  of  Boston.  The  cultivation  of  fruits  has  been  a 
cherished  object  in  our  town,  and  many  of  our  farms  have 
doubled  their  value  by  this  means.  It  is  not  unusual  with 
them  to  produce  one  and  two  hundred  barrels  of  apples, 
besides  great  varieties  of  pears,  peaches,  plums,  quinces,  and 
the  common  lesser  fruits. 

To  Medford  belongs  the  introduction  of  the  celebrated 
"Baldwin  Apple."  The  first  tree,  producing  this  delicious 
fruit,  grew  on  the  side  hill,  within  two  rods  of  the  former 
Woburn  line,  and  about  ten  rods  east  of  the  present  road 
which  leads  from  West  Medford  to  the  ancient  boundary  of 
Woburn.  It  was  on  the  farm  occupied  by  Mr.  Thompson, 
forty  or  fifty  rods  south  of  what  used  to  be  called  "  the  black- 
horse  tavern."  At  the  request  of  Governor  Brooks,  the 
writer  made  a  visit  to  that  tree  in  1813,  and  climbed  it.  It 
was  very  old  and  partly  decayed,  but  bore  fruit  abundantly. 
Around  its  trunk  the  woodpeckers  had  drilled  as  many  as 
five  or  six  circles  of  holes,  not  larger  than  a  pea ;  and,  from 
this  most  visible  peculiarity,  the  apples  were  called  "  Wood- 
pecker Apples."  By  degrees  their  name  was  shortened  to 
Peckers ;  and,  during  my  youth,  they  were  seldom  called  by 
any  other  name.  How  they  came  by  their  present  appella- 
tive is  this.  Young  Baldwin,  of  Woburn,  afterwards  a 
colonel,  and  father  of  Loami,  was  an  intimate  friend  of  young 
Thompson   (afterwards   Count  Rumford) ;  and,  as  lovers  of 


20  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

science,  they  asked  permission  of  Professor  Winthrop  to 
attend  his  course  of  lectures  in  natural  philosophy,  at  Har- 
vard College.  Twice  each  week,  these  two  thirsty  and  ambi- 
tious students  walked  from  their  homes  in  Woburn  to  bring 
back  with  them  from  Cambridge  the  teachings  of  the  learned 
professor.  One  day,  as  they  were  passing  by  the  "Wood- 
pecker Tree,"  they  stopped  to  contemplate  the  tempting  red 
cheeks  on  those  loaded  boughs ;  and  the  result  of  such  con- 
templations was  the  usual  one,  —  they  took  and  tasted.  Sud- 
den and  great  surprise  was  the  consequence.  They  instantly 
exclaimed  to  each  other  that  it  was  the  finest  apple  they  ever 
tasted.  Some  years  after  this,  Col.  Baldwin  took  several 
scions  to  a  public  nursery,  and  from  this  circumstance  they 
named  the  apple  after  him,  which  name  it  has  since  retained. 
In  the  gale  of  September,  1815,  this  parent  tree  fell ;  but 
very  few  parents  have  left  behind  so  many  flourishing  and 
beloved  children. 

The  price  of  land  has  steadily  increased  from  2s.  an  acre 
in  1635,  and  5s.  in  1689,  to  $50  in  1778  and  $100  in  1830, 
the  same  positions  taken  in  all  the  dates.  From  the  year 
1800  to  the  present  time,  favorite  house-lots  have  advanced 
in  price  so  rapidly  that  $2,000  would  be  refused  for  a  single 
acre.  The  fashionable  retreat  from  city  to  suburban  life  has 
induced  the  owners  of  farms  to  cut  up  into  house-lots  their 
tillage  lands,  and  sell  them  at  public  auction ;  because  no 
farmer  can  afford  to  till  land  that  will  sell  at  two  and  three 
cents  the  square  foot. 

Of  the  farmers  of  Medford  we  have  nothing  but  good  to 
report.  From  the  earliest  dates  to  the  present  time,  they  have 
stood  without  a  blot.  "With  that  temperance  which  clarifies 
the  intellect,  with  that  industry  which  secures  gain,  and  with 
that  economy  which  saves  what  is  earned,  they  have  presented 
some  of  the  noblest  specimens  of  citizens,  neighbors,  and 
Christians.  Society  delights  to  respect  a  class  of  men 
whose  investments  are  in  land,  water,  and  sunshine ;  and 
whose  results  are  guaranteed  by  that  great  and  beneficent 
Being  who  has  promised  that  "  seed-time  and  harvest  shall 
not  fail." 

NATURAL  HISTORY. 

The  rocks  are  mostly  primitive  granite  or  sienite,  existing 
in  large  masses.      Some  are  in  a  state  of  decay,  as,  for 


NATURAL    HISTORY.  21 

example,  the  "pasture-hill  gravel."  This  gravel  is  used 
extensively  for  garden  walks,  and  its  fineness  and  color  make 
it  a  general  favorite.  The  soil  is  composed  mostly  of  silex 
and  argilla,  a  mixture  favorable  to  vegetation. 

The  flora  of  Massachusetts  would  be  a  fair  one  of  Medford. 
The  high  hills,  rocky  pastures,  large  plains,  alluvial  intervales, 
deep  swamps,  and  extensive  marshes,  here  give  food  to  almost 
all  kinds  of  trees,  plants,  shrubs,  grasses,  and  sedges.  The 
presence  of  fresh  water  and  salt,  also  the  mingling  of  them 
in  Mystic  River,  produce  a  rich  variety  of  herbaceous  plants  ; 
and  the  salt-marsh  flowers,  though  very  small,  are  often  very 
beautiful.  Of  lichens  there  are  great  varieties,  and  some  rare 
specimens  of  the  cryptogamous  plants.  Of  the  forest-trees, 
we  have  many  of  the  white  and  black  oak,  and  some  of  the 
red  and  grey.  The  oldest  survivor  of  this  family  of  quercus 
stands  in  a  lot  owned  by  Mr.  Swan,  and  is  about  half  a  mile 
north-east  of  the  meeting-house  of  the  First  Parish.  It  is 
almost  disarmed  by  time ;  and  it  therefore  better  stood  the 
strain  of  the  tornado  of  August  22,  1851.  Its  trunk  is  six 
feet  in  diameter  near  the  ground ;  and  it  is  probably  as  old  as 
Massachusetts  Colony.  Two  varieties  of  walnut  are  found 
among  us,  and  "  nutting  "  is  yet  a  cherished  pastime  with  the 
boys  in  October.  The  sycamore  or  plane-tree,  commonly 
called  buttonwood^  abounds  here  by  plantation.  Of  late 
years  it  has  been  suffering  from  a  sort  of  cholera,  which  has 
destroyed  its  first  leaves,  and  rendered  its  appearance  so  dis- 
agreeable as  to  induce  most  persons  to  remove  it  from  sight. 
The  violence  of  the  disease  seems  past,  and  the  tree  gives 
signs  of  rejuvenescence.  The  graceful  elms  rejoice  our  eye 
wherever  we  turn,  and  our  streets  will  soon  be  shaded  by 
them.  The  clean,  symmetrical  rock-maple  has  come  among 
us  of  late,  and  seems  to  thrive  like  its  brother,  the  white. 
Of  the  chestnut,  we  have  always  known  two  large  trees  in 
the  woods,  but  have  never  heard  of  more.  The  locust  is 
quite  common,  and  would  be  an  invaluable  tree  to  plant  on 
sandy  plains  in  order  to  enrich  them ;  but  a  borer-worm  has 
so  successfully  invaded,  maimed,  and  stinted  it  that  its  native 
beauty  is  gone.  The  locust  is  the  only  tree  under  which  the 
ruminating  animals  prefer  to  graze.  Of  beach-trees  we  have 
not  many,  and  what  we  have  are  small.  So  of  the  black  and 
white  ash,  there  is  not  an  abundance.  Once  there  was  a  good 
supply  of  the  hornbeam  ;  but  that  has  ceased.  Of  birch,  the 
black,  white,  and  yellow,  there  are  flourishing  specimens. 


22  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

The  class  of  forest  evergreens  is  well  represented  in  Meclford. 
The  white  and  pitch  pines  are  common,  though  their  use  in 
building,  and  their  consumption  by  steam-engines,  have  made 
them  comparatively  scarce.  One  of  the  most  familiar,  beau- 
tiful, and  valuable  forest-trees  is  the  cedar ;  and  both  kinds, 
the  red  and  white,  are  here.  The  hemlock  and  the  holly  are 
only  casual  among  us.  "Whether  all  these  trees  were  common 
when  our  ancestors  first  settled  here,  we  cannot  say;  for 
there  may  have  been  then,  what  we  now  see,  namely,  a  rota- 
tion of  forest-trees.  We  have  seen  a  pine-forest  felled,  and 
an  oak  one  spring  in  its  place  ;  and,  where  the  oak  one  has 
been  felled,  the  pine  has  sprung  up.  In  like  manner,  the 
cedar  and  maple  forests  have  been  rotatory ! 

Of  indigenous  shrubs,  there  is  among  us  the  usual  varie- 
ties ;  among  them,  the  hazel,  the  huckleberry,  barberry, 
raspberry,  gooseberry,  thimbleberry,  blackberry,  &c.  There 
are  two  species  of  wild  grapes  ;  if  they  ripen  well,  they  are 
sweet  and  palatable,  but  are  used  often  as  pickles. 

The  fruit-trees,  now  so  abundant  in  every  variety,  have 
been  brought  here  by  our  inhabitants  from  every  part  of  the 
United  States  and  from  many  parts  of  Europe.  So  the  orna- 
mental trees  and  flowering  shrubs  have  been  so  extensively 
cultivated  in  our  midst,  that  we  seem  to  live  among  the  vege- 
tation of  the  five  zones. 

The  forests  of  Medford  had,  in  early  times,  their  share  of 
the  wild  animals  common  to  New  England.  May  18,  1631 : 
"  It  is  ordered,  that  no  person  shall  kill  any  wild  swine  with- 
out a  general  agreement  at  some  court."  The  bear  was 
quite  social  with  our  fathers,  and  for  a  century  kept  hold  of 
his  home  here.  He  was  far  less  destructive  than  the  wolf. 
Wolves  and  wild-cats  were  such  devourers  of  sheep  that  pre- 
miums were  paid  for  their  heads.  Sept.  6,  1631,  we  find 
these  records :  "  The  wolves  did  much  hurt  to  calves  and 
swine  between  Charles  River  and  Mistick."  Sept.  2,  1635  : 
"  It  is  ordered,  that  there  shall  be  5s.  for  every  wolf,  and 
Is.  for  every  fox,  paid  out  of  the  treasury  to  him  who  kills 
the  same."  Nov.  20,  1637 :  "  10s.  shall  be  paid  for  every 
wolf,  and  2s.  for  every  fox."  Wolves  have  disappeared  from 
this  locality ;  but  foxes  are  occasionally  seen.  Deer  were 
very  common  when  our  fathers  settled  in  Medford ;  and, 
until  the  beginning  of  this  century,  our  inhabitants  chose 
annually  an  officer  whom  they  called  "Deer  Reeve."  Dec. 
25,  1739 :  Voted  to  choose  two  persons  to  see  to  the  preserva- 


NATURAL    HISTORY.  <i>6 

tion  of  deer,  as  the  law  directs.  It  would  not  be  difficult  to 
domesticate  the  deer,  and  to  use  him  for  ten  years  in  carrying 
light  burdens  before  he  is  fatted  for  the  table.  Nov.  15, 
1637  :  "  It  is  ordered  that  no  man  shall  have  leave  to  buy 
venison  in  any  town,  but  by  leave  of  the  town."  The 
racoon,  that  used  to  plunder  our  cornfields,  has  almost  disap- 
peared. The  mink  and  miisquosh  are  about  our  rivers  and 
ponds,  though  severely  hunted  by  boys.  The  woodchuck, 
weasel,  skunk,  grey  and  yellow  squirrel,  are  common.  It  is 
some  time  since  many  wild  rabbits  were  killed  in  Medford ; 
and  we  presume  the  oldest  inhabitant  cannot  recollect  seeing 
a  wild  beaver  here.  There  are  moles  and  meadow  mice  as  in 
the  olden  time.  The  last  named  has  proved  peculiarly 
destructive  to  fruit-trees,  by  gnawing  off  the  bark  during 
winter,  while  under  the  snow.  If  posterity  wish  to  know  if 
we  have  rats  and  mice,  we  would  assure  them  that  we  have 
more  than  our  cats  and  dogs  can  keep  in  subordination. 

Oct.  1,  1645,  we  find  the  following  order :  "  No  goat- 
skins to  be  transported  out  of  this  jurisdiction,  unless  they  be 
dressed,  and  made  into  gloves  or  some  other  garment," 

Johnson  says  the  early  inhabitants  took  moose,  deer,  bea- 
ver, and  otter,  in  traps.  They  bent  down  a  pole,  which  had 
a  cord  at  its  end,  and  a  slip-noose ;  and,  when  the  noose  was 
touched,  the  pole  flew  up  and  caught  the  game.  They  shot 
squirrels,  grey  and  black  racoons,  geese,  and  turkeys. 

The  birds,  now  common  with  us,  are  those  usually  found 
in  this  latitude.  As  birds  must  follow  their  food,  their  mi- 
gration northward  in  spring  and  southward  in  autumn  enables 
us  to  see  a  great  variety  of  these  travellers.  How  powerful, 
how  mysterious,  is  this  impulse  for  change  of  place !  God 
seems  to  have  touched  them  with  his  spirit,  and  they  became 
as  obedient  as  the  planets. 

"  Who  bade  the  stork,  Columbus-like,  explore 
Heavens  not  his  own,  and  worlds  unknown  before  ? 
Who  calls  the  council,  states  the  certain  day  ? 
Who  forms  the  phalanx,  and  who  points  the  way  ? " 

Some  birds,  like  the  wild-geese  and  ducks,  make  all  their 
journey  at  once ;  while  most  of  them  follow  slowly  the  open- 
ing buds,  the  spring  insects,  and  the  spawning  herring.  A 
few  leave  Florida,  and  follow  vegetation  to  the  White  Hills  ; 
they  pass  us  in  Medford  during  April  and  May,  resting  with 
us  a  few  days  "  to  take  a  bite,"  and  to  give  us  a  song.     The 


24  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

close  observer  might  publish  regular  ornithological  bulletins 
of  their  successive  arrivals.  Of  those  that  rest  with  us,  the 
first  comer  in  the  spring  is  the  bluebird,  whose  winter  home 
is  in  Mexico  and  Brazil,  and  whose  first  song  here  is  a  soft, 
exhilarating,  oft-repeated  warble,  uttered  with  open^  quiver- 
ing wings,  and  with  such  a  jubilant  heart  as  to  thrill  us  with 
delight.  Then  comes  the  friendly  and  social  robin.  The 
old  ones  have  not  gone  far  south  in  winter.  Some  of  them 
remain  here  through  that  dreary  season,  with  the  woodpecker  ; 
but  the  young  ones  migrate  in  autumn,  sometimes  as  far  as 
Texas.  The  spring-birds,  the  warblers,  the  buntings,  finches, 
sparrows,  thrushes,  come  in  quick  succession  to  rear  their 
young.  Snipes,  quails,  partridges,  and  woodcocks,  come  a 
little  later.  Sandpipers,  plovers,  teals,  and  ducks  arrive 
among  the  latest.  Medford  Pond  was  a  common  resort  for 
several  kinds  of  wild  ducks.  About  seventy-five  years  ago, 
a  gunner  killed  thirteen  teal  at  one  shot.  There  are  a 
few  birds  that  awaken  a  deep  curiosity,  and  confer  constant 
delight  through  their  long  sojourn.  The  barn  swallow,  that 
comes  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  to  spend  his  summer  with 
us,  is  always  greeted  with  a  joyous  welcome  about  the  10th 
of  May.  The  rice-bird  of  Carolina,  called  the  reed-bird  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  butter-bird  in  Cuba,  is  called  here  the 
bob-o-lincoln  ;  and  it  amuses  us  greatly.  The  male,  when  he 
arrives,  is  dressed  up  as  showily  as  a  field-officer  on  parade- 
day,  and  seems  to  be  quite  as  happy.  Fuddled  with  animal 
spirits,  he  appears  not  to  know  what  to  do,  and  flies  and  sings 
as  if  he  needed  two  tongues  to  utter  all  his  joy.  We  might 
speak  of  the  little  wren,  that  creeps  into  any  hole  under  our 
eaves,  and  there  rears  its  numerous  family;  the  humming- 
bird, that  builds  so  skilfully  in 'our  gardens  that  we  never 
find  its  nest;  the  yellow-bird,  that  makes  the  air  resound 
with  its  love-notes ;  the  thrush,  that  seems  made  to  give  the 
highest  concert-pitch  in  the  melody  of  the  woods.  To  these 
we  might  add  the  night-hawk  and  the  whip-poor-will,  and 
many  more  that  spend  their  summer  with  us ;  but  these  are 
enough  to  show  that  the  dwellers  in  Medford  are  favored 
each  season  with  the  sight  and  songs  of  a  rich  variety  of 
birds.  We  find  the  following  record  made  March  8,  1631  : 
"  Flocks  of  wild  pigeons  this  day  so  thick  that  they  obscure 
the  light." 

Another  record  shows  that  our  fathers  preserved  the  game 
by  laws.     "  Sept.  3,  1634  :    There  is  leave  granted  (by  the 


NATURAL  .HISTORY.  25 

General  Court)  to  Mr.  John  "Winthrop,  jun.,  to  employ  his 
Indian  to  shoot  at  fowl  "  (probably  in  Mystic  River). 

The  Jish  most  common  in  our  waters  are  the  shad,  ale- 
wives,  smelt,  bass,  perch,  bream,  eel,  sucker,  tom-cod,  pick- 
erel, and  shiner.  We  do  not  now  think  of  any  species  of 
fish  which  frequent  either  our  salt  or  fresh  waters  which  is 
unfit  for  food. 

Of  insects  we  have  our  share,  and  could  well  do  with 
fewer.  If  all  persons  would  agree  to  let  the  birds  live,  we 
should  have  less  complaint  about  destructive  insects.  The 
cedar  or  cherry-bird  is  appointed  to  keep  down  the  canker- 
worm  ;  and,  where  this  useful  bird  is  allowed  to  live  unmo- 
lested, those  terrible  scourges  are  kept  in  due  subjection. 
The  borer,  which  enters  the  roots  of  apple,  peach,  quince, 
and  other  trees,  and  eats  his  way  up  in  the  albunum,  is  a  des- 
troyer of  the  first  rank  among  us.  Of  late  years,  almost 
every  different  tree,  plant,  and  shrub,  appears  to  have  its 
patron  insect  that  devours  its  blossoms  or  its  fruit.  They  are 
so  numerous  and  destructive  that  many  persons  do  not  plant 
vines.  Fifty  or  a  hundred  miles  back  in  the  country,  these 
insects  are  comparatively  scarce.  The  voracious  bugs  most 
complained  of  here  are  the  squash,  yellow,  potato,  cabbage, 
apple,  peach,  pear,  and  rose.  The  two  elements  of  fire  and 
water,  all  sorts  of  decoctions,  powders,  gasses,  and  fumiga- 
tions, have  been  resorted  to  for  the  extermination  of  the 
above-named  bugs,  yet  all  with  slight  effects.  Our  next 
neighbor,  forty  years  ago,  raised  the  most  and  best  melons 
and  squashes  of  the  county,  by  placing  a  toad,  in  a  small 
house,  next  to  each  hill  of  plants.  Every  morning  these 
hungry  hunters  would  hop  forth  to  their  duty ;  and  their  mis- 
sile tongues,  glued  at  the  end,  were  sure  to  entrap  every  in- 
sect. Caterpillars  and  canker-worms  have  destroyed  orchards, 
as  grasshoppers  have  fields ;  and  the  way  to  prevent  their 
ravages  is  only  partially  understood. 

Assured  that  every  insect  has  its  place  for  good  assigned 
by  the  wise  Creator,  we  have  only  to  labor  for  that  true 
science  which  shall  reveal  all  uses,  and  thus  prevent  abuses. 

If  we  could  comprehend  all  the  localities  of  the  globe, 
with  all  their  varieties,  we  should  then  see  all  animals  in  their 
places,  and  should  thus  get  a  glimpse  of  the  great  system  of 
correspondencies. 

The  keeping  and  increase  of  honey-bees  was  a  favorite  idea 
with  our  Medford  ancestors  ;  and  a  pound  of  honey  bore,  for 


«D  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

nearly  two  centuries,  the  same  price  as  a  pound  of  butter. 
As  early  as  1640,  bees  were  kept  here  ;  and  their  gathered 
sweets  were  among  the  very  choicest  delicacies  on  our  ances- 
tral tables.  The  modes  now  adopted  for  taking  a  portion  of 
honey  from  every  hive,  and  yet  leaving  enough  to  feed  the 
insect  family  through  the  winter,  was  not  known  by  our 
forefathers.  Their  mode  of  securing  the  honey  of  their 
bees  was  the  topmost  of  cruelty  and  ingratitude.  "When 
autumn  flowers  ceased  to  yield  any  sweets,  the  owner  of  bees 
resolved  to  devote  one  hive  to  destruction ;  and  his  method 
was  as  follows :  —  He  dug  a  hole  in  the  ground,  near  his 
apiary,  six  inches  square  and  three  deep ;  and  into  this  hole 
he  put  brimstone  enough  to  kill  all  the  bees  in  any  hive. 
When  night  had  come,  and  the  innocent  family  were  soundly 
sleeping,  the  owner  sets  fire  to  the  brimstone,  and  then  imme- 
diately places  the  hive  over  the  suffocating  fumes,  and  there 
leaves  it  till  morning,  when  it  is  found  that  not  even  an  elect 
one  is  delivered  from  the  hell  beneath !  We  wonder  if  our 
fathers  ever  thought  of  the  text,  "A  merciful  man  is  merci- 
ful to  his  beast."  If  bees  have  souls,  some  of.  their  execu- 
tioners may  hereafter  find  themselves  surrounded  by  swarms 
of  tormentors,  and  then  learn  the  meaning  of  another  text, 
"  Mine  enemies  compasseth  me  about  like  bees."  It  is  cus- 
tomary now  to  sow  the  white  clover  and  mignonette  for  the 
bees,  as  these  plants  furnish  the  richest  food. 

We  have  given  these  broken  notices  of  the  natural  history 
of  Medford  in  popular  language,  and  without  full  scientific 
arrangement,  deeming  any  further  catalogue  unnecessary. 

We  may  here  express  the  hope,  that  the  parents  and  teach- 
ers of  coming  generations  may  be  wise  enough  to  show  their 
children  and  pupils  the  harmonies  of  nature  ;  those  analogies 
and  relationships  of  things  which  can  be  seen  only  by  look- 
ing from  the  divine  angle.  When  the  human  mind  can  thus 
"  look  through  nature  up  to  nature's  God,"  it  can  then  com- 
prehend the  beauty,  power,  and  sacredness  of  the  Creator's 
approval,  "  And  God  saw  every  thing  that  he  had  made ; 
and,  behold,  it  was  very  good."  Would  that  anything  we 
could  say  might  induce  the  inquisitive  minds  of  future  days 
to  open  the  Bible  of  nature,  and  read  passage  after  passage 
for  the  illumination  of  the  mind  and  the  peace  of  the  heart ! 
Nothing  learned  here  need  be  unlearned  hereafter.  The 
proper  study  of  natural  history  will  give  force  to  vital  Chris- 
tian faith.     This  study  indicates  a  safe  road  from  the  natural 


MEDFORD    RECORDS.  27 

to  the  spiritual  world.  The  naturalist  fixes  on  facts  evolving 
the  order  of  causes  and  the  harmonies  of  the  universe.  He 
would  see  truth's  polarity  in  the  smallest  feather  as  in  the 
rolling  planet.  He  would  thus  follow  the  great  and  ever- 
expanding  order  of  creation  inwards  to  the  point  where 
mechanics  and  geometry  are  realized  in  the  all-embracing 
laws  of  Wisdom  and  Providence ;  and  where,  at  last,  the 
human  mind  itself  recognizes  the  very  source  of  life  in  its 
humiliation  before  the  throne  of  God. 


CHAPTER    II. 


MEDFORD  RECORDS. 


The  oldest  town-records  extant  are  in  a  book  fifteen  inches 
long,  six  wide,  and  one  thick.  It  is  bound  in  parchment,  and 
was  tied  together  by  leathern  strings.  Its  first  twenty-five  or 
thirty  pages  are  gone ;  and  the  first  thirty  pages  of  the  pre- 
sent volume  are  all  loose  and  detached  from  their  place,  and 
may  very  easily  be  lost.  The  first  record  is  as  follows  :  — 
"  The  first  Monday  of  February,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord, 
1674.  At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Meadford,  Mr. 
Nathaniel  Wade  was  chosen  constable  for  the  year  ensuing." 
The  chirography  is  very  good,  the  sentences  properly  con- 
structed, and  the  spelling  without  error.  There  are  Latin 
quotations  in  them.  Only  six  pages  of  Mr.  Jonathan  Wade's 
records  remain.  As  it  was  customary  to  keep  the  town- 
records  in  the  same  hands  as  long  as  possible,  it  is  fairly  pre- 
sumed that  this  gentleman  was  the  second,  perhaps  the  first, 
town-clerk.  His  successor  was  Mr.  Stephen  Willis,  who  re- 
mained in  office  thirty-six  years,  exercising  a  fidelity  which 
entitles  him  to  the  name  of  veteran.  The  first  volume  of 
records  is  wholly  of  his  writing,  save  the  little  above-men- 
tioned and  the  seven  years  of  Mr.  John  Bradstreet.  When 
he  had  finished  the  volume,  he  resigned  his  office ;  and  we 
regret  that  the  book  closes  without  showing  any  vote  of 
thanks  for  his  long  and  valuable  services. 


28  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOED. 

At  the  end  of  this  first  volume  of  records,  there  is  a  cata- 
logue of  births,  marriages,  and  deaths,  mixed  up  with  county 
rates,  &c.  The  last  item  in  the  volume  is  dated  Aug.  20, 
1718,  and  is  the  receipt  of  Rev.  Aaron  Porter  for  his  salary. 
His  signature  is  in  that  round  and  manly  style,  which,  as  it 
stands,  seems  to  be  a  fit  guarantee  for  the  truth  of  all  the 
preceding  records. 

The  second  volume  is  a  small  folio,  bound  in  parchment. 
It  is  twelve  inches  and  a  half  long,  eight  wide,  and  one  inch 
and  a  half  thick.  It  begins  Feb.  12,  1718,  and  ends  June 
23,  1735.  From  1674  to  the  present  time,  the  town-records 
are  unbroken. 

The  third  volume  is  a  large  folio,  but  sadly  torn  and 
injured.     A  proper  index  of  the  records  is  greatly  needed. 

The  first  volume  of  church  records  is  bound  in  parchment. 
It  is  eight  inches  long,  six  and  a  half  wide,  and  half  an  inch 
thick.  It  begins  May  19,  1712,  and  ends  April  13,  1774. 
It  contains  all  the  records  during  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Porter,  and  that  of  Rev.  Mr.  Turell.  It  records  births,  bap- 
tisms, and  marriages,  the  doings  of  the  church,  the  admissions 
to  the  Lord's  supper,  &c. ;  but  it  does  not  notice  any  deaths. 

The  second  volume  of  church  records  is  bound  in  rough 
leather,  and  is  of  the  same  form  and  size  as  the  first.  It 
contains  all  the  facts  belonging  to  the  ministry  of  Dr.  Osgood. 
It  begins  Sept.  14,  1774,  and  ends  with  his  last  entry,  Dec. 
2,  1822,  made  twelve  days  before  his  death. 

Of  the  later  records  in  town  and  church  (all  unbroken 
and  accurate),  it  is  not  necessary  to  speak.  They  are  well 
secured  in  strong  books  ;  but  those  above  mentioned  should 
be  copied  by  a  careful  hand,  and  bound  in  uniformity.  The 
iron  or  stone  safe,  where  old  manuscripts  are  kept,  should  be 
emptied,  aired,  and  well  heated  once  in  every  six  months. 

In  early  times,  one  page  was  sufficient  to  contain  a  full 
record  of  a  town-meeting ;  but,  in  our  day,  the  record  of  a 
March  meeting  is  spread  over  fifteen  or  twenty  pages. 

The  earliest  records  of  the  town-treasurer,  which  are  pre- 
served, are  those  of  Capt.  Samuel  Brooks.  For  many  years, 
this  gentleman  was  placed  on  the  most  important  committees. 
On  the  Sunday  after  his  death,  July  10,  1768,  Mr.  Turell 
preached  two  funeral  sermons  from  Phil.  i.  21.  The  first 
person  in  Medford  who  seemed  to  have  any  true  regard  for 
posterity,  in  making  his  records,  was  Mr.  Thomas  Seccomb, 
who,  for  twenty-two  years,  recorded  with  admirable  particu- 
larity the  facts  most  important  for  the  historian. 


FIRST    SETTLEMENT. 


FIRST  SETTLEMENT. 


29 


To  show  properly  the  first  coming  of  our  ancestors  to  this 
region,  it  will  be  necessary  to  trace  their  last  movements  in 
England.  This  can  be  done  most  briefly  and  satisfactorily 
by  giving  extracts  from  the  truthful  and  interesting  letter  of 
Governor  Dudley,  dated  March  28,  1631,  to  the  Countess 
of  Lincoln.     The  extracts  are  as  follows  :  — 

'•  To  the  Right  Honorable,  my  very  good  Lady,  the  Lady  Bridget, 
Countess  of  Lincoln. 

"  Madam,  —  Touching  the  plantation,  which  we  here  have  begun, 
it  fell  out  thus :  About  the  year  1627,  some  friends,  being  together 
in  Lincolnshire,  fell  into  discourse  about  New  England  and  the 
planting  of  the  gospel  there ;  and,  after  some  deliberation,  we  im- 
parted our  reasons  by  letters  and  messages  to  some  in  London  and 
the  West  Country,  where  it  was  likewise  deliberately  thought  upon, 
and  at  length,  with  often  negotiation,  so  ripened,  that,  in  the  year 
1628,  we  procured  a  patent  from  his  Majesty  for  our  planting 
between  the  Massachusetts  Bay  and  Charles  River  on  the  south, 
and  the  river  of  Merrimack  on  the  north,  and  three  miles  on  either 
side  of  those  rivers  and  bays ;  as  also  for  the  government  of  those 
who  did  or  should  inhabit  within  that  compass.  And  the  same  year 
we  sent  Mr.  John  Endicott,  and  some  with  him,  to  begin  a  planta- 
tion ;  and  to  strengthen  such  as  we  should  find  there,  which  we  sent 
thither  from  Dorchester,  and  some  places  adjoining ;  from  whom, 
the  same  year,  receiving  hopeful  news,  the  next  year,  1629,  we  sent 
divers  ships  over,  with  about  three  hundred  people,  and  some  cows, 
goats,  and  horses,  many  of  which  arrived  safely. 

"  These,  by  their  too  large  commendations  of  the  country  and  the 
commodities  thereof,  invited  us  so  strongly  to  go  on,  that  Mr.  Win- 
throp,  of  Suffolk  (who  was  well  known  in  his  own  country,  and 
well  approved  here  for  his  piety,  liberality,  wisdom,  and  gravity), 
coming  in  to  us,  we  came  to  such  resolution,  that  in  April,  1630, 
we  set  sail  from  Old  England  with  four  good  ships.  And.  in  May 
following,  eight  more  followed  ;  two  having  gone  before  in  February 
and  March,  and  two  more  following  in  June  and  August,  besides 
another  set  out  by  a  private  merchant.  These  seventeen  ships 
arrived  all  safe  in  New  England  for  the  increase  of  the  plantation 
here  this  year,  1630;  but  made  a  long,  a  troublesome,  and  costly 
voyage,  being  all  wind-bound  long  in  England,  and  hindered  with 
contrary  winds  after  they  set  sail,  and  so  scattered  with  mists  and 
tempests,  that  few  of  them  arrived  together.  Our  four  ships,  which 
set  out  in  April,  arrived  here  in  June  and  July,  where  we  found  the 
Colony  in  a  sad  and  unexpected  condition ;  above  eighty  of  them 


30  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

being  dead  the  winter  before,  and  many  of  those  alive  weak  and 
sick :  all  the  corn  and  bread  among  them  all  hardly  sufficient  to 
feed  them  a  fortnight.  But,  bearing  these  things  as  we  might,  we 
began  to  consult  of  our  place  of  sitting  down ;  for  Salem,  where  we 
landed,  pleased  us  not.  And,  to  that  purpose,  some  were  sent  to 
the  Bay  to  search  up  the  rivers  for  a  convenient  place ;  who,  upon 
their  return,  reported  to  have  found  a  good  place  upon  Mistick ; 
but  some  other  of  us,  seconding  these,  to  approve  or  dislike  of  their 
judgment;  we  found  a  place  liked  us  better,  three  leagues  up 
Charles  River,  and  thereupon  unshipped  our  goods  into  other 
vessels,  and,  with  much  cost  and  labor,  brought  them  in  July  to 
Charlestown.  But,  there  receiving  advertisements  (by  some  of  the 
late  arrived  ships)  from  London  and  Amsterdam  of  some  French 
preparations  against  us  (many  of  our  people  brought  with  us  being 
sick  of  fevers  and  the  scurvy,  and  we  thereby  unable  to  carry  up 
our  ordnance  and  baggage  so  far),  we  were  forced  to  change  coun- 
sel, and  for  our  present  shelter  to  plant  dispersedly;  some  at 
Charlestown,  which  standeth  on  the  north  side  of  the  mouth  of 
Charles  River;  some  on  the  south  side  thereof,  which  place  we 
named  Boston  (as  we  intended  to  have  done  the  place  we  first 
resolved  on)  ;  some  of  us  upon  Mistick,  which  we  named  Meadford  ; 
some  of  us  westward  on  Charles  River,  four  miles  from  Charles- 
town, which  place  we  named  Watertown ;  others  of  us  two  miles 
from  Boston,  in  a  place  we  called  Roxbury  ;  others  upon  the  river 
Sangus  between  Salem  and  Charlestown  ;  and  the  Western-men 
four  miles  south  from  Boston,  in  a  place  we  named  Dorchester. 
They  who  had  health  to  labor  fell  to  building,  wherein  many  were 
interrupted  with  sickness,  and  many  died  weekly,  yea,  almost  daily. 
"  After  my  brief  manner  I  say  this  :  that  if  any  come  hither  to 
plant  for  worldly  ends,  that  can  live  well  at  home,  he  commits  an 
error,  of  which  he  will  soon  repent  him ;  but,  if  for  spiritual,  and 
that  no  particular  obstacle  hinder  his  removal,  he  may  find  here 
what  may  well  content  him,  viz.,  materials  to  build,  fuel  to,  burn, 
ground  to  plant,  seas  and  rivers  to  fish  in,  a  pure  air  to  breath  in, 
good  water  to  drink  till  wine  or  beer  can  be  made ;  which,  together 
with  the  cows,4  hogs,  and  goats  brought  hither  already,  may  suffice 
for  food :  as  for  fowl  and  venison,  they  are  dainties  here  as  well  as 
in  England.  For  clothes  and  bedding,  they  must  bring  them  with 
them,  till  time  and  industry  produce  them  here.  In  a  word,  we  yet 
enjoy  little  to  be  envied,  but  endure  much  to  be  pitied  in  the  sick- 
ness and  mortality  of  our  people.  If  any  godly  men,  out  of  reli- 
gious ends,  will  come  over  to  help  us  in  the  good  work  we  are 
about,  I  think  they  cannot  dispose  of  themselves  nor  of  their  estates 
more  to  God's  glory,  and  the  furtherance  of  their  own  reckoning ; 
but  they  must  not  be  of  the  poorer  sort  yet,  for  divers  years.  I  am 
now,  this  28th  March,  1631,  sealing  my  letters. 

"  Your  Honor's  old  thankful  servant, 

"Thomas  Dudley." 


FIRST    SETTLEMENT.  31 

"  The  five  undertakers  were  Governor  Winthrop,  Deputy- 
Governor  Dudley,  Sir  Richard  Saltonstall,  Isaac  Johnson, 
Esq.,  and  Mr.  Revil." 

"  The  settlement  of  the  patent  in  New  England  "  meant 
the  establishment  of  the  government  here.  Hutchinson 
says :  "  It  is  evident  from  the  charter,  that  the  original 
design  of  it  was  to  constitute  a  corporation  in  England,  like 
to  that  of  the  East  India  Company,  with  powers  to  settle 
plantations  within  the  limits  of  the  territory,  under  such 
forms  of  government  and  magistracy  as  should  be  fit  and 
necessary." 

The  decision  of  the  Court  respecting  the  occupancy  of 
land,  after  their  arrival,  was  known  to  our  fathers.  At  the 
meeting  in  London,  March  10,  1628-9,  the  Court  say :  — 

"  This  day  being  appointed  to  take  into  consideration  touching 
the  division  of  the  lands  in  New  England,  where  our  first  planta- 
tion shall  be,  it  was,  after  much  debate,  thought  fit  to  refer  this 
business  to  the  Governor  (Cradock),  and  a  Committee  to  be  chosen 
to  that  purpose  to  assist  him ;  and  whatsoever  they  shall  do  therein, 
that  to  stand  for  good." 

May  28,  1629 :  In  the  "  second  general  letter,"  the  Court 


!  "  We  have  further  taken  into  our  consideration  the  fitness  and 
conveniency,  or  rather  necessity,  of  making  a  divident  of  land,  and 
allotting  a  proportion  to  each  adventurer ;  and,  to  this  purpose, 
have  made  and  confirmed  an  Act,  and  sealed  the  same  with  our 
common  seal." 

In  the  Charlestown  records,  1664,  John  Greene,  giving  a 
history  of  the  first  comers,  says  :  — 

"  Amongst  others  that  arrived  at  Salem,  at  their  own  cost,  were 
Ralph  Sprague  with  his  brethren  Richard  and  William,  who,  with 
three  or  four  more,  by  joint  consent  and  approbation  of  Mr.  John 
Endicott,  Governor,  did,  the  same  summer  of  anno  1628  (9), 
undertake  a  journey  from  Salem,  and  travelled  the  woods  above 
twelve  miles  to  the  westward,  and  lighted  of  a  place  situate  and 
lying  on  the  north  side  of  Charles  River,  full  of  Indians,  called 
Aberginians.  Their  old  sachem  being  dead,  his  eldest  son,  by  the 
English  called  John  Sagamore,  was  their  chief,  and  a  man  naturally 
of  a  gentle  and  good  disposition.  .  .  .  They  found  it  was  a  neck  of 
land,  generally  full  of  stately  timber,  as  was  the  main,  and  the  land 
lying  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  called  Mystick  River,  from  the 
farm  Mr.  Cradock's  servants  had  planted  called   Mystick,  which 


32  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

this  river  led  up  unto  ;  and,  indeed,  generally  all  the  country  round 
about  was  an  uncouth  wilderness,  full  of  timber." 

This  party  from  Salem,  passing  through.  Medford,  were  the 
first  European  feet  that  pressed  the  soil  we  now  tread. 

At  the  Court  of  Assistants,  held  in  London,  May  21,  1629, 
it  was  thus  ordered :  — 

"  That  two  hundred  acres  of  land  be  by  them  allotted  to  each 
adventurer  for  £50  adventure  in  the  common  stock,  and  so,  after 
that  rate,  and  according  to  that  proportion,  for  more  or  less,  as  the 
adventure  is,  to  the  intent  they  may  build  their  houses  and  improve 
their  lands  thereon.  It  is  further  fit  and  ordered,  that  all  such  as 
go  over  in  person,  or  send  over  others  at  their  charge,  and  are 
adventurers  in  the  common  stock,  shall  have  lands  (fifty  acres) 
allotted  unto  them  for  each  person  they  transport  to  inhabit  the 
plantation,  as  well  servants  as  all  others." 

Mr.  Cradock,  according  to  this,  must  have  had  large  grants. 
The  lands  granted  must  be  improved  within  three  years,  or 
forfeited.  If  a  person  came  here  who  had  no  share  in  the 
common  stock  of  the  Company,  he  could  have  only  fifty 
acres  of  land,  though  a  head  of  a  family.  These  small 
grants  surprise  us  till  we  consider  that  land  in  the  Old  World, 
and  especially  in  England,  was  scarce  and  dear. 

Governor  Winthrop  in  his  Journal  says  :  "  Thursday,  17th 
of  June,  1630 :  We  went  to  Massachusetts  to  find  out  a 
place  for  our  sitting  down.  We  went  up  Mystick  River 
about  six  miles."  This  was  the  first  exploration  of  the  river, 
carried  probably  as  far  as  Medford  lines ;  and  the  English 
eyes  in  that  boat  were  the  first  eyes  of  settlers  that  hooked 
upon  these  fields  on  which  we  now  live.  The  first  settlers 
came  from  Suffolk,  Essex,  and  Lincolnshire,  in  England. 

The  first  grant  made  by  the  Court  of  Assistants  of  lands 
in  Mistick  was  made  to  Governor  Winthrop  in  1631.  The 
record  says :  "  Six  hundred  acres  of  land,  to  be  set  forth  by 
metes  and  bounds,  near  his  house  in  Mistick,  to  enjoy  to  him 
and  his  heirs  for  ever."  He  called  his  place,  after  the  manner 
of  the  English  noblemen,  the  "  Ten  Hills  Farm  ; "  which 
name  it  still  retains.  This  favorite  selection  of  the  chief 
magistrate  would  naturally  turn  his  thoughts  to  his  fast 
friend,  Mathew  Cradock,  and  lead  him  to  induce  Mr.  Cra- 
dock's  men  to  settle  in  the  neighborhood.  Thus  we  arrive 
at  a  natural  reason  for  the  first  coming  of  shipwrights  and 


FIRST    SETTLEMENT.  33 

fishermen  to  this  locality.  Gov.  Winthrop  had  early  settled 
the  question  for  himself,  and  then  immediately  gave  his 
advice  to  his  friend's  company;  for,  by  special  contract  in 
England,  the  artisans  were  to  work  two-thirds  of  the  time 
for  the  Company,  and  one-third  for  Mr.  Cradock.  This 
arrangement  brought  the  Governor  and  these  workmen  very 
near  together,  and  made  it  the  interest  and  convenience  of 
both  to  become  neighbors.  We  do  not  see  how  it  could  have 
been  well  otherwise. 

The  facts  we  infer  are  these.  The  four  ships,  Arbella, 
Jewell,  Ambrose,  and  Talbot,  which  sailed  from  the  Isle  of 
Wight,  April  8,  1630,  brought  the  first  settlers  of  this  region. 
Two  of  the  ships  belonged  to  Mr.  Cradock.  The  Governor 
had  the  care  of  Mr.  Cradock's  men,  and,  as  soon  as  possible 
after  his  arrival,  searched  for  the  best  place  wherein  to  employ 
them.  His  choice  fell  on  Mistick,  probably  on  the  17th  day 
of  June  ;  and  so  rapidly  did  our  young  plantation  thrive,  that, 
on  the  28th  of  September  (only  four  months  afterwards), 
Medford  was  taxed  £3  for  the  support  of  military  teachers. 

Nov.  30,  1630,  another  tax  of  £3  was  levied.  Thus 
Medford  became  a  part  of  "  London's  Plantation  in  Massa- 
chusetts Bay."  Twelve  ships  had  brought,  within  a  year, 
fifteen  hundred  persons  ;  and  Medford  had  a  large  numerical 
share.  The  running  streams  of  fresh  water  in  our  locality 
were  a  great  inducement  to  English  settlers  ;  for  they  thought 
such  streams  indispensable.  In  1630  they  would  not  settle 
in  Roxbury  "  because  there  was  no  running  water."  In 
Charlestown  (1630)  the  "  people  grew  discontented  for  want 
of  water ;  who  generally  notioned  no  water  good  for  a  town 
but  running  springs."  Medford,  at  the  earliest  period,  became 
that  anomolous  body  politic  called  a  town ;  creating  its  own 
government,  and  electing  its  own  officers.  No  municipal 
organization,  like  this,  had  been  witnessed  in  the  old  world 
for  four  centuries ! 

How  natural  was  this  growth.  By  the  law,  "  each  adven- 
turer had  a  right  to  fifty  acres  of  land."  Each  one  would 
see  that  this  grant  was  made  and  secured.  Thus  the  territory 
was  divided  into  manageable  lots,  and  thus  farms  began.  Gov. 
Dudley  says:  "Some  of  us  planted  upon  Mistick  (1630), 
which  we  called  Meadford."  This  shows  the  beginning  of  a 
settlement  by  other  than  Mr.  Cradock's  men.  Mr.  Cradock's 
men  had  their  rights  to  land ;  and  probably  each  one  received 
his  due.  The  grant  was  not  confirmed  to  Mr.  Cradock  till 
5 


34  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

1634.  The  sales  of  land,  after  his  death,  to  Edward  Collins, 
Jonathan  Wade,  Richard  Russell,  Peter  Tufts,  Thomas 
Brooks,  Timothy  Wheeler,  and  others,  shows  the  slow  pro- 
gress of  the  infant  settlement. 

With  the  Governor  and  Mr.  Cradock's  men,  many,  doubt- 
less, were  glad  to  associate  themselves ;  because  something 
like  a  definite  organization  already  existed  among  them.  The 
elements  of  power  and  prosperity  seemed  to  be  with  them  ; 
and  we  can  imagine  our  first  settlers  beginning  their  eventful 
experiment  with  lion  hearts  and  giant  hands.  We  may 
therefore  reasonably  fix  upon  June  17,  1630,  as  the  time 
when  our  Anglo-Saxon  ancestors  first  came  to  Medford,  and 
determined  upon  the  settlement  of  the  town,  and  thus  took 
possession.  Gov.  Dudley  says  :  "  They  who  had  health  to 
labor  fell  to  building."  This  must  have  been  so  with  all  the 
first  comers  here ;  and  we  can  see,  in  our  mind's  eye,  the 
lofty  forest  falling  by  the  woodman's  axe,  and  anon  taking  its 
place  in  the  tents  or  log-huts,  which  were  the  only  shelter 
from  the  fast  approaching  cold.  Here  let  it  be  remarked, 
that  there  is  not  connected  with  the  first  steps  of  our  Med- 
ford plantation  the  slightest  trace  of  injustice,  violence,  or 
crime.  In  the  minute  accounts  of  the  best  historians,  there 
is  no  mention  of  treachery,  idleness,  or  dissipation.  If  any 
violation  of  good  neighborhood,  or  civil  law,  or  gospel 
morality,  had  existed,  we  should  certainly  have  heard  of  it ; 
for  every  man  was  emphatically  his  brother's  keeper,  and  was 
Argos-eyed  to  detect  the  offender,  and  Briarian-handed  to 
clutch  him.  We  therefore  confidently  infer,  that  they  who 
had  concluded  to  make  this  place  their  home,  were  noble 
adventurers,  conscientious  patriots,  and  uncompromising 
Puritans ;  men  whose  courage  dared  to  meet  the  panther  and 
the  tomahawk,  whose  benevolence  would  share  with  the  red 
man  its  last  loaf,  and  whose  piety  adored  the  hand  that  sent 
sickness  and  death.  We  should  expect  from  no  one  but 
Archbishop  Laud  the  following  remark :  "  These  men  do  but 
begin  with  the  Church,  that  they  might  after  have  the  freer 
access  to  the  State."  Their  hired  men  and  servants  were  of 
excellent  character,  with  one  or  two  exceptions.  Our  fathers 
brought  with  them  the  Company's  directions,  dated  April  17, 
1629  ;  and  they  complied  with  the  following :  "  Our  earnest 
desire  is,  that  you  take  special  care,  in  settling  these  families, 
that  the  chief  in  the  family  (at  least  some  of  them)  be 
grounded  in  religion ;  whereby,  morning  and  evening  family 


FIRST    SETTLEMENT.  35 

duties  may  be  duly  performed,  and  a  watchful  eye  held  over 
all  in  6ach  family,  by  one  or  more  in  each  family  to  be 
appointed  thereto,  that  so  disorders  may  be  prevented,  and  ill 
weeds  nipt  before  they  take  too  great  a  head."  Their  trust 
was  the  Bible,  law-book,  and  gun. 

The  early  histories  tell  of  many,  in  other  places,  who 
became  dissatisfied  with  their  first  choice,  and  moved  to  more 
promising  localities  ;  but  not  a  word  of  complaint  reaches  us 
from  the  first  planters  of  Medford,  and  no  one,  to  "bur 
knowledge,  left  the  plantation.  They  brought  with  them  the 
animus  manendi. 

To  show  how  fast  the  settlement  went  on,  it  is  said,  under 
date  of  Oct.  30,  1631,  that  "the  Governor  erected  a  build- 
ing of  stone  at  Mistick."  The  houses  of  the  first  settlers 
were  fortified  by  palisades,  thought  to  be  a  very  necessary 
defence  of  themselves  and  their  cattle  against  the  nocturnal 
attacks  of  wild  beasts  and  savages.  It  was  not  uncommon 
for  a  plantation  to  unite  in  building  a  stone  or  brick  house, 
into  which  they  could  retire  for  the  night,  or  escape  from  the 
Indians.  In  Medford  were  built  three  of  these  strong  brick 
citadels,  two  of  which  yet  stand.  Obliged  to  depend  in  great 
measure  for  subsistence,  during  the  first  winter,  upon  food 
brought  from  England,  there  must  have  been  an  impatient 
waiting  for  spring  ;  and,  when  it  arrived,  the  whole  population 
must  have  gone  to  work  in  clearing  whatever  open  land  could 
be  used  for  planting.  A  writer  says  ( 1630)  :  "  The  scarcity 
of  grain  was  great ;  every  bushel  of  wheat-meal,  14s.  sterling  ; 
every  bushel  of  peas,  10s. ;  and  not  easy  to  be  procured 
either." 

"Aug.  16,  1631 :  Six  hundred  acres  of  land  given  to  the 
Governor  near  his  house  in  Mistick." 

The  crops  of  1631  were  most  abundant.  Having  made 
their  selection  and  commenced  their  settlement,  our  ancestors 
were  not  likely  to  be  disturbed  by  interlopers  ;  for  the  Court 
of  Assistants,  Sept.  7,  1630,  passed  the  following:  "It  is 
ordered,  that  no  person  shall  plant  in  any  place  within  the 
limits  of  this  patent,  without  leave  from  the  Governor  and 
Assistants,  or  the  major  part  of  them."  Governor  Winthrop 
felt  too  deep  an  interest  in  his  near  neighbors  to  allow  any 
infringement  of  this  law.  The  first  planting  of  Medford  was 
thus  singularly  auspicious  under  the  supervision  of  the  illus- 
trious chief  magistrate,  called  the  "American  Nehemiah," 


30 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


and  by  the  more  effectual  patronage  of  the  richest  member  of 
the  Company.  Its  numbers  and  prosperity  increased  while 
Mr.  Cradock  lived ;  and,  when  his  interest  was  removed,  it 
declined. 

The  lands  of  a  town  were  parcelled  out  by  a  committee, 
chosen  by  the  inhabitants.  Seven  wise  and  prudent  men 
were  selected  for  this  purpose.  The  town  mainly  directed, 
and  then  ratified,  the  work.     Sometimes  lots  decided  a  case. 

How  many  of  the  first  settlers  became  freemen  we  shall 
not  know  until  the  lost  records  of  Medford  are  discovered. 
"We  find  the  following  Medford  names  among  the  list  of  free- 
men between  1630  and  1646.  How  many  were  settlers  here 
we  know  not.  Nathaniel  Bishop,  Thomas  Reeves,  John 
Collins,  Jonathan  Porter,  Richard  Bishop,  Thomas  Brooke, 
John  Waite,  "William  Manning,  John  Hall,  Richard  Francis, 
William  Blanchard,  Henry  Simonds,  Zachery  Fitch,  Richard 
Wade,  Richard  Bugbe,  John  Watson,  Abraham  Newell, 
Henry  Brooke,  Gamaliel  Wayte,  Hezekiah  Usher,  Thomas 
Bradbury,  Richard  Swan,  John  Howe,  Edmund  Angier, 
Thomas  Oakes,  Hugh  Pritchard.  If  any  historian  issues 
a  writ  of  replevin,  then  we  must  appeal  to  lost  records,  or 
give  up. 

In  the  county  records  we  find  the  following  names  of  men 
represented  as  at  Medford  :  — 


George  Felt    .     .     .     . 

1633. 

Thomas  Greene  .     .     . 

1659. 

James  Noyes       .     .     . 

1634. 

James  Pemberton    .     . 

1659. 

Richard  Berry     .     .     . 

1636. 

Joseph  Hills    .     .     .     . 

1662. 

Thomas  Mayhew      .     . 

1636. 

Jonathan  Wade   .     .     . 

1668. 

Benjamin  Crisp   .     .     . 

1636. 

Edward  Collins    .     . 

1669. 

James  Garrett     .     .     . 

1637. 

John  Call 

1669. 

John  Smith     .     .     . 

1638. 

Daniel  Deane      .     .     . 

1669. 

Richard  Cooke    .     . 

1640. 

Samuel  Hayward     . 

1670. 

Josiah  Dawstin    .     . 

1641. 

Caleb  Brooks       .     . 

1672. 

Dix   .     .     .     • 

1641. 

Daniel  Markham 

1675. 

Ri.  Dexter      .     .     . 

1644. 

John  Whitmore  .     . 

1678. 

William  Sargent 

1648. 

John  Greenland  .     . 

1678. 

James  Goodnow  .     . 

1650. 

Daniel  Woodward    . 

1679. 

John  Martin    .     .     . 

1650. 

Isaac  Fox  .... 

1679. 

Edward  Convers 

1650. 

Stephen  Willis     .     . 

1680. 

Goulden  Moore  .     . 

1654. 

Thomas  Willis     .     . 

1680. 

Robert  Burden    .     . 

1655. 

John  Hall  .... 

.     1680. 

Richard  Russell  .     . 

.     1656. 

Gersham  Swan    .     . 

.     1684. 

Thos.  Shephard  .     . 

.     1657. 

Joseph  Angier     .     . 

.     1684. 

Thos.  Danforth    .     . 

.     1658. 

John  Bradshaw    .     . 

.     1685. 

FIRST    SETTLEMENT. 


37 


Stephen  Francis  . 
Peter  Tufts  .  . 
Jonathan  Tufts    . 


1685. 
1G86. 
1690. 


John  Tufts      .     . 
Simon  Bradstreet 


1690. 
1695. 


The  following  owned  lands  in.  Medford  before  1680 :  — 


William  Dady. 
Rob.  Broadick. 
Mrs.  Anne  Higginson. 
Caleb  Hobart. 
John  Palmer. 
Nicholas  Davidson. 


Increase  Nowell. 
Zachary  Symmes. 
John  Betts. 
Jotham  Gibons. 
Richard  Stilman. 
Mrs.  Mary  Eliot. 


The  lands  of  Medford  were  apportioned  to  the  first  settlers 
according  to  the  decision  of  the  Court  of  May  21,  1629;  and 
Josselyn  speaks  of  the  town,  in  1638,  as  "  a  scattered  village." 
We  suppose  that  the  three  "  forts,"  or  brick  houses,  were 
placed  conveniently  for  the  protection  of  all  the  inhabitants. 
If  so,  the  first  settlers  occupied  the  land  near  the  river,  on  its 
north,  bank,  from  the  old  brick  house  on  Ship  Street  to  the 
west  brick  house,  now  standing  behind  the  house  of  the  late 
Governor  Brooks.  Soon  the  population  stretched  westward 
to  Mystic  Pond ;  and,  when  the  inhabitants  came  to  build 
their  first  meeting-house,  they  found  the  central  place  to  be 
"  Rock  Hill ;  "  and  there  they  built  it.  The  West  End  was 
very  early  settled  as  the  best  land  for  tillage. 

It  is  natural  to  ask,  by  what  right  our  Medford  ancestors 
held  their  farms  at  first,  and  what  guarantees  they  had  from 
adequate  authorities.  We  have  abundant  testimony  that  not 
a  foot  of  land  was  taken  from  the  Indians  by  force.  Every 
particle  was  fully  and  satisfactorily  paid  for,  as  we  have  shown 
elsewhere.  Having  thus  honorably  come  into  possession,  the 
question  was,  how  can  ownership  be  legally  secured  ?  That 
question  was  answered  by  the  following  most  important  order 
of  the  General  Court,  under  date  of  April  1,  1634 :  — 

"  It  is  ordered,  that  the  constable  and  four  or  more  of  the  chief 
inhabitants  of  every  town  (to  be  chosen  by  all  the  freemen  there, 
at  some  meeting  there),  with  the  advice  of  some  one  or  more  of  the 
next  Assistants,  shall  make  a  survey  of  the  houses  backside,  corn- 
fields, mowing-ground,  and  other  lands,  improved  or  enclosed,  or 
granted  by  special  order  of  the  Court,  of  every  free  inhabitant 
there,  and  shall  enter  the  same  in  a  book  (fairly  written  in  words 
at  length  and  not  in  figures),  with  the  several  bounds  and  quanti- 
ties, by  the  nearest  estimation,  and  shall  deliver  a  transcript  thereof 
into  the  Court  within  six  months  now  next  ensuing ;  and  the  same, 
so  entered  and  recorded,  shall  be  sufficient  assurance  to  every  such 


38  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

free  inhabitant,  bis  and  tbeir  heirs  and  assigns,  of  such  estate  of 
inheritance,  or  as  they  shall  have  in  any  such  houses,  lands,  or 
frank-tenements."     (See  History  of  the  Indians.) 

Mr.  Wm.  Wood,  who  resided  some  years  in  the  Colony, 
published,  in  1634,  the  following  description  of  Medford :  — 

"Towards  the  north-west  of  this  bay  is  a  great  creek,  upon 
whose  shore  is  situated  the  village  of  Medford,  a  very  fertile  and 
pleasant  place,  and  fit  for  more  inhabitants  than  are  yet  in  it." 

We  omit  the  descriptions  of  Newton  and  Watertown  here 
introduced.     The  writer  then  says  :  — 

"  The  next  town  is  Mistick,  which  is  three  miles  from  Charles- 
town  by  land,  and  a  league  and  a  half  by  water.  It  is  seated  by 
the  water's  side  very  pleasantly :  there  are  not  many  houses  as  yet. 
At  the  head  of  this  river  are  great  and  spacious  ponds,  whither  the 
alewives  press  to  spawn.  This  being  a  noted  place  for  that  kind  of 
fish,  the  English  resort  hither  to  take  them.  On  the  west  side  of 
this  river  the  Governor  has  a  farm,  where  he  keeps  most  of  his 
cattle.  On  the  east  side  is  Mr.  Craddock's  plantation,  where  he  has 
impaled  a  park,  where  he  keeps  his  cattle,  till  he  can  store  it  with 
deer.  Here,  likewise,  he  is  at  charges  of  building  ships.  The  last 
year,  one  was  upon  the  stocks  of  a  hundred  tons  ;  that  being  finished, 
they  are  to  build  one  twice  her  burden.  Ships,  without  either  bal- 
last or  loading,  may  float  down  this  river ;  otherwise,  the  oyster- 
bank  would  hinder  them  which  crosseth  the  channel." 

The  Hon.  James  Savage,  in  his  edition  of  Winthrop's 
Journal,  vol.  ii.  p.  195,  has  the  following  note  concerning 
Medford :  — 

"  Of  so  flourishing  a  town  as  Medford,  the  settlement  of  which 
had  been  made  as  early  as  that  of  any  other,  except  Charlestown, 
in  the  bay,  it  is  remarkable  that  the  early  history  is  very  meagre. 
From  several  statements  of  its  proportion  of  the  public  charges  in 
the  colony  rates,  it  must  be  concluded  that  it  was,  within  the  first 
eight  years,  superior  in  wealth  at  different  times  to  Newbury,  Ips- 
wich, Hingham,  Weymouth,  all  ancient  towns,  furnished  with  regu- 
lar ministers.  Yet  the  number  of  people  was  certainly  small ;  and 
the  weight  of  the  tax  was  probably  borne  by  the  property  of  Go- 
vernor Cradock,  there  invested  for  fishing  and  other  purposes. 
When  that  establishment  was  withdrawn,  I  suppose,  the  town 
languished  many  years.  Simon  Bradstreet  and  James  Noyes 
preached.  The  consequence-  of  their  subsequent  destitution  of  the 
best  means  of  religion  were  very  unhappy.  The  town  was  poorly 
inhabited,  the  people  much  divided,  occasionally  prosecuted  for  their 
deficiencies,  and  long  in  a  miserable  condition.     A  long  period  of 


FIRST    SETTLEMENT.  39 

happiness  at  last  arrived  in  the  times  of  Turell  and  Osgood ;  and, 
for  more  than  a  century,  Medford  has  appeared  one  of  the  most 
thriving  villages  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston." 

The  shadows  in  this  picture,  we  think,  are  darker  than  the 
records  will  warrant. 

The  first  settlers  came  to  Medford  in  June,  1630.  The 
grant  of  land  to  Mr.  Cradock  was  Marcli  4,  1634.  Here, 
therefore,  were  almost  four  years  in  which  the  first  comers 
were  gathering  and  settling  before  Mr.  Cradock  came  into 
possession.  His  prosperous  company  would  naturally  induce 
others  to  come  here ;  and,  when  they  had  thus  settled,  they 
would  form  a  government ;  and,  when  all  these  things  were 
done,  it  would  not  be  policy  for  Mr.  Cradock  to  disturb  or 
remove  such  friends.  For  more  than  three  years  they  labored 
on  the  land,  and  made  an  agricultural  beginning,  confirmed 
by  Mr.  Cradock.  In  his  letter  he  gives  special  charge  con- 
cerning all  such ;  that  every  thing  be  done  for  their  safety  and 
comfort.  These  were  the  fathers  of  Medford.  1633  :  An 
historian  says  of  the  colonists :  "  Although  they  were  in 
such  great  straights  for  food  that  many  of  them  ate  their 
bread  by  weight,  yet  they  did  not  faint  in  spirit."  Gov. 
Winthrop,  Sept.  9,  1630,  says  :  "  It  is  enough  that  we  shall 
have  heaven,  though  we  pass  through  hell  to  it." 

As  soon  as  Gov.  Winthrop  had  settled  himself  on  the  Ten- 
Hill  Farm,  in  1630,  he  recommended  Gov.  Cradock's  men  to 
plant  themselves  directly  opposite  him  on  the  north  side  of 
the  river.  They  did  so.  A  promontory  there,  jutting 
towards  the  south  into  the  marsh,  was  the  only  safe  place 
then  to  build  upon.  It  is  about  sixty  rods  south-east  of  the 
ancient  house  now  standing  on  the  farm  of  Messrs.  James  and 
Isaac  Wellington.  The  marshes  stretch  away  from  this  pro- 
montory, on  every  side  except  the  north,  where  it  joins  the 
mainland.  On  its  highest  point  they  built  the  first  house 
erected  in  Medford.  This  was  in  July,  1630.  There  are 
persons  now  living  who  knew  an  old  lady,  named  Blanchard, 
who  was  born  in  that  house.  It  was  probably  a  log-house, 
of  large  dimensions,  with  a  small,  deep  cellar,  having  a 
chimney  of  bricks  laid  in  clay.  The  cellar  was  walled  up 
with  stone,,  and  has  been  destroyed  but  a  few  years.  The 
bricks,  very  similar  to  those  in  Gov.  Cradock's  mansion-house, 
have  been  in  part  removed.  We  have  to-day  (April  25, 
1855)  taken  away  half  a  dozen  of  them  as  specimens  of  the 


40  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

first  manufactory  in  Medford.  They  are  very  large,  very 
badly  made,  and  burned  to  the  hardness  of  granite.  Thus 
fixed,  in  the  most  favorable  position,  Gov.  Cradock's  men 
passed  the  first  winter ;  and  were  ready  to  proceed  to  busi- 
ness in  the  spring  of  1631. 

As  we  sit  in  our  safe  and  comfortable  homes,  how  difficult 
is  it  for  us  to  estimate  the  perils  and  labors  of  our  ancestors ! 
How  faintly  do  we  appreciate  those  daily  toils  by  which  they 
rescued  from  the  forest  the  fields  we  now  reap !  How  inade- 
quate is  our  measurement  of  those  multiform  deprivations 
through  which  they  secured  to  us  our  present  abundance ! 
Above  all,  how  imperfect  is  our  appraisement  of  those  anxious 
endeavors  to  establish  the  civil  institutions  by  which  we  are 
protected,  and  to  cement  those  social  relations  in  which  we 
are  blessed !  Theirs  were  the  labors  of  sowing ;  ours,  the 
joys  of  harvest.  In  their  life's  great  picture,  poverty  and 
suffering  were  the  dark  clouds  prepared  as  the  background 
for  the  exhibition  of  their  Christian  graces.  They  had  made 
up  their  minds  on  the  duties  of  their  mission,  and  they 
"  endured  as  seeing  Him  who  is  invisible."  They  did  not 
expect  that  a  natural  Virginian  bridge  would  be  thrown  over 
all  the  deep  gulfs  of  human  life.  They  meditated,  prayed, 
resolved,  acted,  and  conquered.     Honor  virtutis  prcemium. 

"We  confess  to  hear  with  small  patience  some  of  the 
fashionable  and  flippant  denunciations  of  our  pilgrim  ances- 
tors. They  are  uttered  sometimes  by  those  who  should  know 
better,  and  sometimes  by  those  who  are  sumptuously  feeding 
from  tables  which  these  ancestors  have  spread  for  them.  If 
we  disregard  the  early  education  and  conventional  habits,J;he 
peculiar  exposures  and  straightened  circumstances  of  our 
forefathers,  it  may  then  be  very  easy,  judging  them  by  our 
rules,  to  impugn  their  motives,  criticize  their  plans,  ridicule 
their  errors,  and  magnify  their  faults  ;  but  we  think  it  would 
show  our  wisdom  and  magnanimity  much  better  if  we  should 
do  for  posterity,  in  our  situations,  as  much  as  they  did  for  it 
in  theirs. 

To  illustrate  the  peril  supposed  to  exist  in  the  early  settle- 
ment, we  copy  the  following  order  of  the  General  Court. 
Sept.  S,  1635  :  "  It  is  agreed,  that  hereafter  no  dwelling- 
house  shall  be  built  above  half  a  mile  from  the  meeting- 
house, in  any  new  plantation,  without  leave  from  the 
Court." 

Our  Medford  ancestors  kept  a  jealous  eye  upon  new  com- 


FIRST    SETTLEMENT.  41 

ers,  and  enforced  the  following  order,  passed  Sept.  6,  1638  : 
"  Ordered,  That  constables  shall  inform  of  new  comers,  if  any 
be  admitted  without  license." 

That  the  Company  in  London  had  fixed  firmly  one  point, 
the  following  extract  from  their  second  letter,  May  28,  1629, 
will  sufficiently  prove :  "  The  course  we  have  prescribed  of 
keeping  a  daily  register  in  each  family  will  be  a  great  help 
and  remembrance  to  you  and  to  future  posterity,  for  the 
upholding  and  continuance  of  this  good  act,  if  once  well 
begun  and  settled,  which  we  heartily  wish  and  desire  as  afore- 
said." This  referred  to  a  spiritual  espionage  which  they  had 
resolved  should  be  held  over  every  family. 

It  will  be  interesting  here  to  see  how  the  heirs  of  Mr. 
Cradock  disposed  of  his  large  estate,  and  to  trace  how  it 
came  into  the  hands  of  Medford  settlers. 

Mr.  Cradock's  widow,  Rebecca,  married  Richard  Glover, 
who,  March  1,  1644,  rented  to  Edward  Collins  one-half  of 
his  land  "  in  Medford  in  New  England  ;  "  viz.,  "  houses,  edi- 
fices, buildings,  barns,  stables,  out-houses,  lands,  tenements, 
meadows,  pastures,  findings,  woods,  highways,  profits,  com- 
modities, and  appurtenances." 

Mr.  Cradock's  widow  married  her  third  husband,  Rev. 
Benj.  Whitchcot,  D.D.,  in  1652.  Damaris,  Mr.  Cradock's 
daughter,  married  Thomas  Andrews,  leather-seller,  of  London. 
Samuel,  his  brother,  was  elder  of  Chapleton,  and  had  three 
sons.  By  instruments,  dated  June  2  and  Sept.  6,  1652,  they 
quit-claim  to  Mr.  Collins  "all  that  messuage,  farm,  or  plan- 
tation, called  Meadford  in  New  England  "  by  them  owned* 

Aug.  20,  1656  :  Mr.  Collins,  after  residing  twelve  years  on 
his  farm  in  Medford,  sells  to  Richard  Russell  of  Charlestown, 
sixteen  hundred  acres  of  it,  with  his  mansion-house  and  other 
buildings.  This  track  was  bounded  by  Mystic  River  on  the 
south,  by  Charlestown  line  on  the  north,  by  trees  standing 
near  a  brook  on  the  west,  and  by  the  farms  of  Nowell  and 
others  on  the  east.  "  Collins  covenants  to  save  Russell 
harmless  from  all  claims  from  the  heirs  of  Cradock,  unto 
whom  the  said  plantation  was  first  granted  "  by  the  Court. 
No  specification  is  given  of  the  number  of  "  cattle  "  or  of 
"  tenements."  At  this  time,  Mr.  Collins  deeds  other  portions 
of  his  farm  to  other  persons. 

May  25,  1661:  Richard  Russell,  who  had  occupied  the 
"  mansion-house  "  five  years,  sold  it,  with  twelve  hundred 
acres  of  his  land,  to  Jonathan  Wade,  who  lived  near  the 
6 


42  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

bridge  on  the  south  side  of  the  river.  After  the  death  of 
Mr.  Russell,  his  heirs  sold  three  hundred  and  fifty  acres  to 
Mr.  Peter  Tufts.  The  deed  is  dated  April  20,  1677.  This 
tract  is  now  the  most  thickly  settled  part  of  Medford. 

The  names  of  early  settlers  are  found  in  their  deeds  of 
land.  Oct.  20,  1656 :  James  Garrett,  captain  of  the  ship 
"  Hope,"  sells,  for  £5,  to  Edward  Collins,  "  forty  acres  of  land 
on  the  north  side  of  Mistick  River,  butting  on  Mistick  Pond 
on  the  west." 

March  13,  1657:  Samuel  Adams  sells  "to  Ed.  Collins 
forty  acres  of  land ;  bounded  on  the  east  by  Zachariah  Sy na- 
mes, south  by  Meadford  Farm,  on  the  south  and  west  by 
James  Garrett."     Paid  £10. 

Ed.  Collins  sells  to  Edward  Michelson  five  and  a  half  acres 
on  the  highway  to  the  "  oyster-bank  "  and  "long  meadow." 

March  13,  1675 :  Caleb  Hobart  sells  to  Ed.  Collins,  "for 
£660,  five  hundred  acres  in  Meadford,  now  in  possession  of 
Thomas  Shepherd,  Daniel  Markham,  Thomas  Willows, 
(Willis) ;  bounded  by  Charlestown  northerly,  Mistick  River 
southerly,  Mr.  Wade's  land  easterly,  and  Brooks's  and 
Wheeler's  lands  westerly." 

March  29,  1675 :  Ed.  Collins  sells  "  a  piece  of  land  to 
Daniel  Markham  ;  bounded  by  the  river  on  the  south,  by 
Joshua  Brooks  on  the  west  and  north,  and  by  Caleb  Hub- 
bard on  the  east." 

Jan.  3,  1676:  Ed.  Collins  sells  thirty  acres  of  land  to 
George  Blanchard.  Ed.  Collins  was  now  seventy-three  years 
old. 

The  "  Blanchard  Farm  "  was  a  large  one,  and  is  frequently 
mentioned  in  the  records. 

Mr.  Nicholas  Davison,  the  mercantile  agent  of  Mr.  Cra- 
dock,  and  who  lived  near  Mr.  Wade,  petitioned  the  General 
Court,  in  the  name  of  Mrs.  Cradock,  for  £676,  which  she 
said  was  due  to  her  estate.  The  Court  replied,  that  "  the 
government  were  never  concerned  in  Mr.  Cradock's  adven- 
ture," and  therefore  could  not  allow  any  such  claim.  An- 
other attempt  was  made  in  1670,  and  met  with  a  similar  fate. 
It  was  not  long  afterwards  that  the  General  Court  took  into 
consideration  the  munificent  "  disbursement  of  Mr.  Cradock 
in  planting  the  Colony,"  and  resolved  to  show  their  grateful 
estimate  of  his  worth  ;  and  accordingly  gave  his  widow,  then 
Mrs.  Whitchcot,  one  thousand  acres  of  land ;  and  they  relin- 
quished all  further  rights. 


FIRST    SETTLEMENT.  48 

1658  :  "In  answer  to  a  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Mistick,  the 
Com-t,  Oct.  19,  decided  that  they  should  have  half  proportion  with 
the  rest  of  the  inhabitants  of  Charlestown  in  the  commons  lately 
divided,  unless  Charlestown  leave  the  inhabitants  of  Mistick  and 
their  lands  to  Maiden,  and  the  latter  accept  them." 

We  have  here  the  names  of  the  first  persons  who  purchased 
of  Mr.  Cradock's  heirs ;  viz.,  Edward  Collins,  Richard 
Russel,  Jonathan  Wade,  and  Peter  Tufts.  These  laid  out 
new  lots  and  made  many  sales  ;  and,  being  added  to  the 
settlers  already  on  the  ground,  the  town  may  be  said  to  have 
thus  had  two  beginnings.  The  descendants  of  Mr.  Tufts 
became  the  most  numerous  family  in  Medford ;  those  of 
Mr.  Wade  were  few,  but  rich :  he  came  over  in  June,  1632. 
The  names  of  Collins  and  Russell  survived  only  a  short 
period.     The  first  bounds  of  lots  cannot  now  be  traced. 

The  Squa  Sachem,  residing  in  Medford,  Aug.  1,  1637, 
gives  lands  to  Jotham  Gibbon,  aged  four,  son  of  Ed.  Gibbon. 
Jotham  was  born  in  1633,  and  afterwards  lived  in  Medford. 
For  the  deeds  of  these  lands,  as  proofs  of  legal  possession, 
see  our  account  of  "  Indians." 

Edward  Collins,  who  bought  so  much  land  of  Mr.  Cra- 
dock's heirs  and  resided  in  Medford  a  long  time,  was  the  first 
specimen  of  a  genuine  land-speculator  in  the  Massachusetts 
Colony.  Besides  his  frequent  purchases  and  sales  in  this 
neighborhood,  we  find  him  making  investments  elsewhere : 
for  example,  Dec.  10,  1655,  he  sells  to  Richard  Champney 
five  hundred  acres  in  Billerica.  In  1660  he  sold  four  hundred 
acres  for  £404,  in  West  Medford,  to  Thomas  Brooks  and 
Timothy  Wheeler.  These  lands,  held  under  the  old  Indian 
deed,  have  continued  in  possession  of  the  Brooks  family  to 
the  present  day. 

Jonathan  Wade,  who  for  several  years  paid  the  highest  tax 
in  Medford,  bought  land  on  the  south  of  the  river,  near 
Mystic  Bridge.  Oct.  2,  1656,  he  bought  four  hundred  acres 
of  Mathew  Avery,  then  living  in  Ipswich. 

The  purchasing  of  land  was  the  most  important  business 
transacted  by  our  early  fathers.  As  a  specimen  of  their  keen 
appetite  and  steady  perseverance,  we  give  a  list  of  purchases 
by  Mr.  Peter  Tufts,  chiefly  on  "  Mystic  Side  :  " — 

1664,  June  22.     Bought  of  Parmelia  Nowell  .     .     .     200  acres. 

„         „       „  „       „  „  commons,    24       „ 

1674,  Sept.  28.  „       „   Benjamin  Bunker  .  17  cow-commons. 


44 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


1677,  April  20. 

Bought  of  Richard  Russell    .     . 

350    acres. 

1679,  Nov.   16. 

33              35 

A.  Shadwell     .     .     . 

32        „ 

1681,  Sept.  20. 

S.  Rowse     .... 

32        „ 

1682,  Feb.      3. 

5J 

John  Green      .     .     . 

6       „ 

„      May    18. 

53              35 

Alexander  Stewart    . 

11        „ 

„         „      29. 

55              33 

M.  Dady      .... 

10       „ 

„      Dec.  22. 

55              55 

L.  Hamond .... 

8£     „ 

1684,  June     8. 

55              55 

Christopher  Goodwin 

16       „ 

„      Dec.    13. 

55              55 

Isaac  Johnson  ...  1 

cow-common. 

1685,  June  20. 

55              55 

Wm.  Dady  ....  3 

cow-commons. 

1687,  April  21. 

55                  35 

3  acres. 

1691,  Oct.      5. 

55              55 

4 

53                    »•••«* 

cow-commons. 

1693,  Aug.  20. 

55              55 

J.  Frost  ...... 

10£  acres. 

1694,  May  17. 

J.  Lynde      .... 

8|     „ 

„      18. 

55              V 

T.  Crosswell     .     .     . 

3        „ 

„     31. 

55              35 

J.  Phipps     .... 

m  3, 

„     Aug.  23. 

55              'J 

W.  Dady     .... 

2        „ 

1695,  April  23. 

„              „ 

J.  Newell     .... 

10£          5, 

1696,  Nov.     3. 

55              35 

John  Melvin     .     .     . 

.         74      „ 

„     Dec.     8. 

55              53 

John  Cary  (Walnut  Tree  Hill)  3  \     „ 

1697,  April  15. 

55              33 

Timothy  Goodwin 

.  three  pieces. 

„     May    10. 

33              35 

John  Dexter     .     .     . 

9    acres. 

1698,  May   30. 

55              53 

John  Frothingham     . 

•       10i     „ 

„     Nov.   25. 

55              55 

John  Blaney     .     .     . 

7        „ 

Including  the  cow-commons,  about 835  acres. 

During  this  time,  they  sold  as  follows  :  — 


1680,  Jan.  30.  To  S.  Grove,  in  Maiden  .  .  . 
1691,  Feb.  22.  To  Jonathan  Tufts,  brick-yards  . 
1697,  Jan.  10.     To  Jonathan  Wade,  in  Medford  . 


20  acres. 
39     „ 

m  n 

Mr.  Peter  Tufts,  born  in  England,  1617,  was  the  father  of 
the  Tufts  family  in  Medford.  He  died  May  13,  1700,  aged 
83.  He  was  buried  in  Maiden,  where  his  tomb  may  now  be 
seen.     Joseph  Tufts  writes  thus  of  him  :  — 

"  But  he  -who  sleeps  within  this  sacred  grave, 
He  felt  the  tyrant's  sting.     Deep  in  his  soul 
Sublime  religion  breathed.     The  stormy  wave 
Here  placed  him  free,  beyond  a  king's  control." 

The  old  histories  speak  of  "  God's  blessing  on  the  endea- 
vors of  the  first  twenty  years.  The  first  settlers  had 
"  houses,  gardens,  orchards ;  and  for  plenty,  never  had  the 
land  the  like ;  and  all  these  upon  our  own  charges,  no  public 
hand  reaching  out  any  help." 


MONUMENTS    OF    EARLY    TIMES.  45 

1640 :  As  emigration  ceased  at  this  time,  the  provisions 
brought  from  England  were  very  cheap.  The  fall  of  prices 
was  remarkable  ;  and  Gov.  "VVinthrop  says  :  "  This  evil  was 
very  notorious,  that  most  men  would  buy  as  cheap  as  they 
could,  and  sell  as  dear.  Corn  would  bring  nothing  ;  a  cow, 
which  last  year  cost  £20,  might  now  be  bought  for  four  or 
five." 


MONUMENTS   OF  EARLY  TIMES. 

That  there  were  many  defences  raised  against  the  Indians 
and  the  wild  beasts,  by  the  early  settlers  of  Massachusetts,  is 
most  true ;  and  that  many  of  them  were  not  needed  is  also 
true.  Not  knowing  at  first  how  many  Indians  there  were, 
nor  what  were  their  feelings  towards  the  white  men ;  not 
knowing  what  ferocious  wild  beasts  there  were,  nor  what 
their  modes  of  attack  ;  not  knowing  what  the  winters  might 
be,  nor  the  extent  of  the  rainy  seasons,  —  it  was  natural  that 
an  isolated,  few,  and  defenceless  people,  thus  situated,  should 
take  counsel  of  their  fears,  and  erect  more  defences  than 
were  needful.  That  such  a  course  was  anticipated,  appears 
from  the  following  provision  by  the  Company  in  London, 
passed  Oct.  16,  1629 :  Ordered,  "  That,  for  the  charge  of 
fortifications,  the  Company's  joint  stock  to  bear  the  one  half, 
and  the  planters  to  defray  the  other;  viz.,  for  ordinance, 
munition,  powder,  &c.  But,  for  laborers  in  building  of  forts, 
&c,  all  men  to  be  employed  in  an  equal  proportion,  accord- 
ing to  the  number  of  men  upon  the  plantation,  and  so  to  con- 
tinue until  such  fit  and  necessary  works  be  finished." 

Any  plantation,  disposed  to  build  a  place  of  retreat  and 
defence,  was  authorized  by  the  above  vote  to  do  so,  and  to 
call  upon  the  Company  to  pay  half  the  expense.  Undoubt- 
edly, Mr.  Cradock's  house  was  so  built.  That  forts  were 
thought  to  be  necessary  appears  from  the  following  history  of 
Charlestown:  "1631:  It  was  concluded  to  build  a  fort  on  the 
hill  at  Moulton's  Point,  and  mount  the  six  guns  left  by  the 
Company  last  year  upon  the  beach  of  this  town,  for  defence, 
in  case  ships  should  come  up  on  the  back-side  of  Mistick 
River.  The  project  was  abandoned.  By  sounding  the  mouth 
of  Mistick  River,  the  channel  lies  so  far  ofF  from  Moulton's 
Point,  towards  "VVinnesemit  side,  that  the  erecting  a  fort  on 
the  hill  will  not  reach  that  end." 


46  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Governor  Cradock's  House. —  The  old  two-story  brick  house 
in  East  Medford,  on  Ship  Street,  is  one  of  the  most  precious 
relics  of  antiquity  in  New  England.  That  it  was  built  by 
Mr.  Cradock  soon  after  the  arrival  of  his  company  of  carpen- 
ters, fishermen,  and  farmers,  will  appear  from  the  following- 
facts. 

The  land  on  which  it  stands  was  given  by  the  General 
Court  to  Mr.  Cradock.  When  the  heirs  of  Mr.  Cra- 
dock gave  a  deed  of  their  property,  June  2,  1652,  they 
mentioned  houses,  barns,  and  many  other  buildings,  but 
did  not  so  specify  these  objects  as  to  render  them  cogni- 
zable by  us.  There  is  no  deed  of  this  house  given  by 
any  other  person.  There  was  no  other  person  that  could  own 
it.  It  was  on  Mr.  Cradock's  land,  and  just  where  his  busi- 
ness made  it  necessary :  the  conclusion,  therefore,  is  inevitable 
that  Mr.  Cradock  built  it.  There  is  every  reason  to  believe 
that  it  was  commenced  early  iu  the  spring  of  1634.  Clay  was 
known  to  abound ;  and  bricks  were  made  in  Salem  in  1629. 
Mr.  Cradock  made  such  an  outlay  in  money  as  showed  that 
he  intended  to  carry  on  a  large  business  for  a  long  time,  and 
doubtless  proposed  visiting  his  extensive  plantation.  The 
very  first  necessity  in  such  an  enterprise  was  a  sufficient 
house.  The  sooner  it  was  finished,  the  better ;  and  it  was 
commenced  as  soon  as  the  land  was  granted,  which  was 
March,  1634.  Who,  in  that  day,  could  afford  to  build  such 
a  house  but  the  rich  London  merchant  ?  and  would  he  delay 
doing  a  work  which  every  day  showed  to  be  indispensable  ? 
He  was  the  only  man  then  who  had  the  funds  to  build  such 
a  house,  and  he  was  the  only  man  who  needed  it.  Taking  all 
these  circumstances  into  consideration,  the  inference  is  clear, 
that  the  "  old  fort,"  so  called,  was  Governor  Cradock's  house, 
built  in  1634.     It  is  an  invaluable  historical  jewel. 

It  has  been  called  the  "Fort  "  and  the  " Garrison  House," 
because  its  walls  were  so  thick,  and  because  it  had  close  out- 
side shutters  and  port-holes. 

It  is  certainly  well  placed  for  a  house  of  defence.  It  is  on 
land  slightly  elevated,  where  no  higher  land  or  rocks  could  be 
used  by  enemies  to  assail  it,  and  is  so  near  the  river  as  to 
allow  of  reinforcements  from  Boston.  Its  walls  are  eighteen 
inches  thick.  There  were  heavy  iron  bars  across  the  two 
large  arched  windows,  which  are  near  the  ground,  in  the 
back  of  the  house ;  and  there  are  several  fire-proof  closets 
within  the  building.     The  house  stood  in  an  open  field  for  a 


MONUMENTS    OF    EARLY    TIMES.  47 

century  and  a  half,  and  could  be  approached  only  by  a  private 
road  through  gates.  As  the  outside  door  was  cased  with 
iron,  it  is  certain  that  it  was  intended  to  be  fire-proof.  There 
was  one  pane  of  glass,  set  in  iron,  placed  in  the  back  wall  of 
the  western  chimney,  so  as  to  afford  a  sight  of  persons  com- 
ing from  the  town. 

It  was  probably  built  for  retreat  and  defence ;  but  some  of 
the  reasons  for  calling  it  a  fort  are  not  conclusive.  Outside 
shutters  were  in  common  use  in  England  at  the  time  above 
mentioned ;  and  so  was  it  common  to  ornament  houses  with 
round  or  oval  openings  on  each  side  of  the  front.  These 
ovals  are  twenty  inches  by  sixteen.  Mr.  Cradock's  company 
was  large,  and  he  was  very  rich,  and  had  told  them  to  build 
whatever  houses  they  needed  for  shelter  and  defence.  It  is 
probable,  that,  as  soon  as  the  spring  opened,  they  began  to  dig 
the  clay,  which  was  abundant  in  that  place ;  and  very  soon 
they  had  their  bricks  ready  for  use.  That  they  should  build 
such  a  house  as  now  stands  where  their  first  settlement  took 
place,  is  most  natural.  The  bricks  are  not  English  bricks 
either  in  size,  color,  or  workmanship.  They  are  from  eight 
to  eight  and  a  half  inches  long,  from  four  to  four  and  a 
quarter  inches  wide,  and  from  two  and  a  quarter  to  two 
and  three-quarters  thick.  They  have  the  color  of  the  bricks 
made  afterwards  in  East  Medford.  They  are  hastily  made, 
but  very  well  burned.  They  are  not  like  the  English  bricks 
of  the  Old  South  Church  in  Boston.  The  house  has 
undergone  few  changes.  Mr.  Francis  Shedd,  who  bought  it 
about  fifty  years  ago,  found  the  east  end  so  decayed  and 
leaky  that  he  took  a  part  of  it  down  and  rebuilt  it.  There 
is  a  tradition,  that  in  early  times  Indians  were  discovered 
lurking  around  it  for  several  days  and  nights,  and  that  a  skir- 
mish took  place  between  them  and  the  white  men ;  but  we 
have  not  been  able  to  verify  the  facts  or  fix  the  date.  The 
park  impaled  by  Mr.  Cradock  probably  included  this  house. 
It  is  undoubtedly  one  of  the  oldest  buildings  in  the  United 
States ;  perhaps  the  oldest  that  retains  its  first  form.  It  has 
always  been  in  use,  and,  by  some  of  its  tenants,  has  not  been 
honored  for  its  age.  Its  walls  are  yet  strong,  and  we  hope  it 
may  be  allowed  to  stand  for  a  century  to  come.  We  wish 
some  rich  antiquarian  would  purchase  it,  restore  to  it  its 
ancient  appendages,  and  make  it  a  depository  for  Medford 
antiquities,  for  an  historical  library,  and  a  museum  of  natural 
curiosities.     It  would  then  be  an  honor  to  our  town ;  be 


48  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

made  perhaps  the  scene  of  a  noble  tragedy  by  some  gifted 
writer ;  and,  above  all,  it  would  then  be  a  proper  monument 
to  the  memory  of  Medford's  first  friend  and  founder. 

The  other  old  brick  house,  built  probably  about  the  same 
time  and  by  the  same  persons,  was  not  large.  It  stood  about 
five  hundred  feet  north  of  Ship  Street,  and  about  five  hundred 
feet  west  of  Park  Street,  opposite  Mr.  Magoun's  ship-yard, 
and  was  taken  down  many  years  ago  by  that  gentleman. 

The  third  house  was  built  by  Major  Jonathan  Wade,  who 
died  1689.  It  was  sometimes  called,  like  the  other  two,  a 
"  Fort,"  and  is  yet  standing  in  good  repair,  and  used  as  a 
comfortable  residence.  It  is  seen  from  the  main  street  as  we 
look  up  the  "Governor's  Lane."  Its  walls  are  very  thick, 
and  it  is  ornamented  with  what  have  been  called  "  port-holes." 
When  first  built,  it  was  only  half  its  present  size :  the  addi- 
tion was  made  by  Benjamin  Hall,  Esq.,  about  seventy-five 
years  ago. 

That  Medford  is  rich  in  monuments  of  its  early  history  is 
a  gratifying  fact,  saddened  only  by  one  circumstance,  which 
is,  that  we  have  lost  our  first  records.  We  must  therefore 
rely  on  our  early  records  which  are  not  written  with  ink. 
From  Pine  Hill,  south-westerly,  to  Purchase  Street,  there  are 
scattered  remains  of  houses,  now  almost  lost  in  the  forest, 
which  prove  that  there  were  living  in  this  region  many  fami- 
lies. The  cellars  are,  in  some  places,  so  near  together  as  to 
show  quite  a  social  neighborhood.  When  some  of  the 
"Scotch  Irish,"  who  settled  Londonderry,  N.  H.,  in  1719, 
became  dissatisfied  with  that  place,  they  came  into  this  quar- 
ter ;  and  many  of  them  settled  in  Medford.  They  built  some 
of  the  houses,  whose  cellars  yet  remain  among  us,  and  intro- 
duced the  foot  spinning-wheel  and  the  culture  of  potatoes. 
They  were  as  scrupulous  about  bounds  and  limits  in  these 
wilds  as  they  had  been  in  Scotland ;  hence  the  remarkable 
stone  walls  which  still  stand  to  testify  to  their  industry. 
They  were  Scotch  Presbyterians  in  religion  ;  and  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Morehead,  of  Boston,  frequently  came  to  preach  to  them. 
Some  of  them  migrated  to  the  District  of  Maine ;  and  there 
was  recently  living  a  General  Jacob  Auld,  of  that  district, 
who  was  born  about  a  mile  north-east  of  Medford  meeting- 
house, whose  father  was  Irish,  and  left  Londonderry  about 
1730.  These  people  kept  up  many  of  their  European  cus- 
toms ;  and  tradition  says,  that  once,  when  a  young  child  died 
among  them,  they  held  a  genuine  "  Irish  wake ;  "  a  conse- 


MONUMENTS    OF    EARLY    TIMES. 


49 


qucnce  of  which  was  so  much  drunkenness  and  fighting  that 
the  civil  authorities  were  obliged  to  interpose.  A  few  of  these 
adventurers  remained,  and  became  good  citizens ;  and  among 
their  descendants  we  may  name  the  Fulton,  "VVier,  Faulkner, 
and  McClure  families.  The  mother  of  the  late  Mrs.  Fulton 
was  a  Wier. 

There  was  a  "  Pest-house,"  so  called,  erected  in  1730, 
near  the  "  Bower,"  south  of  Pine  Hill,  where  remains  of  a 
cellar  mark  the  spot,  and  near  which  three  graves  of  those 
who  died  of  the  small-pox  are  still  visible.  The  land  was 
owned  by  John  Bishop,  Esq. 

These  oldest  ruins  of  Medford  may  not  be  so  interesting  as 
those  of  Delphi  or  the  Roman  Forum ;  but  they  serve  to  show 
that  a  part  of  our  town,  long  since  covered  with  wood,  was 
formerly  the  abode  of  an  industrious  and  thriving  population. 

The  three  brick  buildings,  mentioned  above  and  called 
forts,  having  descended  to  us  as  specimens  of  ancestral  archi- 
tecture, may  well  compare  with  any  specimens  left  in  the 
neighboring  towns.  They  show  that  the  style  of  building 
here  was  ample  and  strong  ;  which  style  has  been  fashionable 
ever  since.    The  house  of  Col.  Royal  was  the  most  expensive 


Col.  Isaac  Royal's  House. 


50 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORB. 


in  Med  ford.  Built  by  his  father,  after  the  model  of  an 
English  nobleman's  house  in  Antigua,  it  has  stood  a  tempt- 
ing model  to  three  generations.  Mr.  Thomas  Seccomb's 
large  brick  house,  on  the  north  side  of  the  market-place,  was 
the  first  copy  of  Col.  Royal's.  Rev.  Mr.  TurelPs  house,  now 
owned  by  Jonathan  Porter,  Esq.,  is  a  good  example  of  another 
style ;  also  the  one  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Gorham 
Brooks,  Esq.  The  old  dilapidated  mansion  of  the  late  Dr. 
Simon  Tufts,  south-cast  corner  of  High  and  Forest  Streets, 
is  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  specimens  of  the  second  fashion 
which  prevailed  in  New  England.  It  has  three  stories  in 
front,  and  the  large  roof  behind  descends  so  as  to  allow  of  only 
one  story  in  the  rear.     It  seems  to  lean  to  the  south,  to  offer 


Dr.  Simon  Tuft's  Souse.  1725. 


its  back  to  the  cold  storms  of  the  north.  One  enormous 
chimney  in  the  centre  of  the  building  serves  every  need,  and 
keeps  the  house  steady  in  high  winds.  The  house  so  long 
occupied  by  Gov.  Brooks,  and  in  which  he  died,  is  a  newer 
specimen  of  the  same  model.  The  next  fashion,  introduced 
as  an  improvement  upon  these,  was  the  broken  or  "gambrel- 
roofed  "  houses,  many  of  which  still  remain.  See  a  specimen 
at  the  end  of  this  volume.  These  soon  gave  place  to  the 
present  models,  which  are  importations  from  distant  ages  and 
all  civilized  countries,  not  excepting  Egypt  and  China. 


51 


ROADS. 

In  the  absence  of  town-records,  we  are  obliged  to  resort 
to  notices  incidentally  made  in  deeds,  wills,  and  legislative 
enactments. 

They  dignified  a  cow-path  with  the  name  of  road.  In  the 
earliest  years  of  the  Medford  plantation,  there  were  but  few 
people,  and  they  had  small  occasion  to  travel.  The  laying-out 
of  roads,  therefore,  was  a  secondary  consideration,  and  the 
order  of  their  location  oftentimes  conjectural  in  history. 

The  Ford,  ten  rods  west  of  the  bridge,  meant  the  place 
where  travellers  crossed  the  Mystic  River.  At  first  it  was 
little  used,  but  afterwards  became  a  popular  way,  not  only  for 
the  inhabitants  of  Medford,  but  for  those  of  the  northern 
towns  who  took  loads  on  horseback  to  Boston.  If  the  earli- 
est records  of  the  town  had  been  preserved,  we  should  doubt- 
less have  found  in  them  some  notices  of  the  Ford,  and  some 
regulations  concerning  it. 

May  3,  1642  :  The  General  Court  say  :  "It  is  declared  by 
this  Court,  that  the  selected  town's  men  have  power  to  lay 
out  particular  and  private  ways  concerning  their  own  town 
only."  The  road  from  the  landing,  called  "No  Man's 
Friend "  (now  Mr.  Lapham's  ship-yard),  was  made  by 
Charlestown,  1641,  to  their  land  north  of  Medford.  The 
road  is  now  called  Cross  and  Fulton  Streets. 

To  have  free  access  to  the  river,  the  great  highway,  they 
opened  private  roads  for  the  use  of  owners  of  lands,  and  what 
were  called  "  range-ways  "  for  the  free  use  of  the  public. 
Many  of  these  are  found  in  Charlestown.  One  of  these  was 
Cross  Street ;  the  next,  west  of  it,  was  at  the  Ford,  and  the 
"  Governor  Lane  "  was  a  part  of  it ;  the  next  was  by  the 
easterly  side  of  Mr.  T.  Magoun's  house ;  the  next  was  east 
of  Mr.  Turell's  house,  the  lane  is  yet  open ;  the  next  was  at 
the  Rock  Hill,  and  the  old  "  Woburn  Road  "  was  part  of  it ; 
the  next  was  above  the  Lowell  Railroad  Depot,  in  High 
Street,  and  connected  with  Grove  Street,  formerly  called  "  the 
road  round  the  woods."  These  roads  to  the  river,  in  Med- 
ford, were  opened  soon  after  the  main  thoroughfare.  The 
first  public  road  laid  out  in  Medford  was  Main  Street,  leading 
from  the  Ford  to  Boston ;  the  second  was  Salem  Street,  lead- 
ing to  Maiden ;  the  third  was  High  Street,  leading  to  West 
Cambridge ;  the  fourth  was  the  road  leading  to  Stoneham. 


•>~  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

These  sufficed  for  all  necessary  uses  during  half  a  century. 
The  road  on  the  south  banlt  of  the  river  (South  Street), 
connecting  the  brick-yards  with  the  wharf  and  the  lighters, 

Was  earl\  opened.  No  new  puhlic  roads  uric  opened  after 
these  for  nearly  a   hundred  years. 

Oct.  5,  K*7f),  the  town  passes  the  following  vote:  To  levy 
a  fine  of  ten  shillings  upon  any  one  who  shall  take  a  load  of 

earth  out  of  the  public  road.  They  also  vote,  that  every 
man  may  work  out  his  own  highway  tax,  and  they  fix  the 
prices  for  a  day's  Labor  of  man,  and  of  a  man  and  team. 

Iu  1715,  Rev.  Aaron  Porter,  Peter  Seccomb,  Peter  Waite, 
Thomas  Tufts,  and  Benjamin  Parker,  wish  some  enlargement 

of  the  road  near  the  bridge,  they  being  residents  I  here  ;  and 
the  town  direet  ;i  ( 'ominitlee  to  see  ahoiil  the  matter.  They 
li\  the  w ■  it  1 1.1 1  of  the  road  at  the  bridge  at  two  rods  and  twelve 
feet;    and    report    the    road    Leading   ti>   Wohurn   wide  enough 

already. 

Feb.  20,  17  1(5:    Several  gentlemen  of  Medford  agree  to 

open    a    load    from    the    market    to    "  Wade's    Hank,  or  Sandy 

Bank "  (Cross  Street),  and  build  a  bridge  over  "(iravclly 

Creek."  It  was  done;  and  made  a  convenient  May  to  the 
tide-mill.      See  further  account   under  the  head  of  "  Mills." 

Medford  Turnpike. — The  construction  of  turnpikes  in 
New  England  made  an  era  in  travelling  and  in  speculations. 

Medford    had    Long    felt   the   need   of  a  way  tO  the  metropolis 

more  eonvenieni  for  the  transportation  of  heavy  loads  than 
that  over  Winter  Hill.     The  first  movement   for  a  turnpike 

was  made,  ahout   the  year  1800,  by  eiti/eus  of  Medford  ;  and, 

in  1808,  Benjamin  Hall,  John  Brooks,  Fitch  Hall,  Ebene*er 
Hall,  :.M,  ami  Samuel  Buel,  petitioned  the  Legislature  for  an 
act  of  incorporation.     It  was  granted  March  8d  of  that  year. 

The  name  was  "  Medford  Turnpike  Corporation."  The  act 
required  them  to  run  the  road  easterh  of  Winter  Hill  and 
Plowed  Hill.  It  must  he  three  rods  on  the  upland,  and  not 
more  than  si\  on  the  marsh.  If  not  completed  within  three 
years,    the    grant   was  to  he  null  and  void.      The  Corporation 

were  required   to  build  all   extra  bridges  over   Middlesex 

('anal,  and  keep  them  and  the  sluices  in  repair.  They  could 
hold  real  estate  to  the  amount  of  si\  thousand  dollars. 
Shares  in  the  stock  were  deemed  personal  property.  Moderate 
tolls  have  made  this  the  most  frequented  route  to  Boston. 
Attempts  have  Beveral  times  been  made  to  open  it  free  of 
toll  to  the  public;    and  the  town  of  Medford  voted  their  con- 


58 


sent,  in  1838,  to  its  conversion  to  a  free  road.  This  was  not 
done  ;  and  it  vet  continues  as  at  the  first.  On  this  road,  near 
the  Charlestown  line,  the  canal,  turnpike,  and   river  come 

into  such  close  contact  that  a  coachman,  with  a  Long  whip, 
touched  the  waters  of  the  river  and  canal  without  leaving  his 
seat. 

About    the    year    1810,    the   turnpike   began   to  he  used  as 

a  race-course,  and  races  and  trotting-matches  were  quite 
common. 

Andover  Turnpike. — This  road  encountered  the   usual 

amount  of  opposition  from  those;  who  saw  it  would  lead  tra- 
vel away  from  their  houses,  and  those  who  thought  its  pas- 
sage through  their  farms  WO.uld  ruin  thcni.  But  the  saving 
of  three    miles    travel,    for    loads    of  ship-timber   and  country 

produce,  was  too  great  a  gain  of  time,  space,  and  money,  to 
be  wholly  abandoned.     The  first  projectors,  therefore,  perse* 

vered,  and  suhscript  ions  for  stock  wen:  opened  in  ISO  I,  and 
Medford  Mas  deeply  interested  in  it,  An  act  of  incorpora- 
tion was  obtained,  June  15,  1805,  by  .Jonathan  Porter, 
.Joseph  llmd,  Nathan  Parker,  Oliver  Holden,  and  Fitch  Hall. 

The  route  w  as  designated  in  the  act.  It  was  to  run  from  the 
house  of  John  Iciissell,  in  Andover,  in  an  easterly  direction, 
to  the  east  of  Martin's  Pond  ;  nearlv  on  a  straight  line  to  the 
house  of   .1.    Nichols,   in    Reading;    thence    to    Stoneham,  by 

the  west  side  of  Spot  Pond,  to  the  market-place  in  Medford. 

No  time  for  its  construction  was  named  in  the  Legislative 
giant,  as  the  distance  was  considerable  and  the  country 
hilly.  A  much  longer  time  and  much  more  money  than 
were    at     first,    supposed,    were    required    for    its    completion. 

Not  proving  a  very  profitable  investment,  there  were  pro- 
positions math',  in  ISL'S,  for  its  sale.  These  were  not,  ac- 
cepted ;  and,  finally,  it  was  concluded  to  abandon  the  road, 
offering  it  as  a  free  highway  to  the  several  towns  through 
which  it  passed.  In  1803,  the  town  of  Medford  vote  to 
accept  and  support  that  part  of  it  which  is  in  Medford,  when- 
ever it  shall  he  free  of  toll.  Again,  in  1881,  the  town  express 
the  wish  that  it  may  become  a  free  road,  and  promise  to  keep 
their  part  in  good  repair.  This  disposit ion  having  been  made 
of  it,  the  town  has  performed  its  promise;  and  to-day,  under 
the  name  of  forest  Street,  it  is  one  of  the  most  popular  Locali- 
ties for  country  seats. 

Medford  has  always  kept   its  roads  in  very  good  condition, 
and  the   hluc  gravel  found   here   has   made  it  comparatively 


54  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

easy.  May  15,  1758:  "Voted  £10  for  the  repair  of  the 
roads."  This  is  the  first  vote  of  the  kind  on  record.  Till 
this  time,  each  citizen  had  worked  out  his  "  highway  tax  " 
by  himself  or  hired  man.  Straightening  and  widening  roads 
became  each  year  a  more  imperative  duty,  since  the  first  ones 
were  little  better  than  cow-paths.  Seventy  years  ago  began 
conversations  on  the  expediency  and  importance  of  opening 
new  routes  for  travel  between  this  and  the  neighboring  vil- 
lages. March  9,  1761 :  Many  inhabitants  of  the  town  peti- 
tioned the  Court  of  Sessions  for  a  road  across  the  marshes  at 
"  Labor  in  Vain  ;  "  thus  connecting  the  eastern  part  of  the 
town  with  the  Boston  road.  The  petition  was  granted,  and  tne 
Commissioners  laid  out  the  road  and  assessed  the  damages  ; 
but  it  was  concluded  not  to  build  it.  March  5,  1787,  the 
town  voted,  "  That  Benjamin  Hall,  Esq.,  Gen.  John  Brooks, 
and  Thomas  Brooks,  Esq.,  be  a  Committee  to  petition  the 
Court  of  Sessions  to  obtain  a  new  road  through  a  part  of 
Col.  Royall's  and  Capt.  Nicholson's  farms."  This  was  never 
obtained. 

Dec.  7,  1795 :  Voted  to  measure  the  route  from  Jonathan 
Brooks's  Corner  to  Lexington.  This  road  was  not  accepted. 
Voted  to  erect  sign-posts  through  the  town. 

Nov.  18,  1801 :  "  Voted  to  choose  a  Committee  to  oppose 
the  opening  of  a  new  road  to  Charlestown." 

May  10,  1802:  A  Committee  was  chosen  "to  lay  out  a 
road  between  Medford,  Stoneham,  and  Reading,  through  the 
woods  ;  "  also  to  see  if  a  road  from  the  meeting-house  to 
Joseph  Wy man's  was  feasible.  Purchase  Street  was  opened 
many  years  after,  according  to  this  suggestion. 

Sept.  13,  1802:  The  Court  of  Sessions  direct,  "that  the 
road  from  Jonathan  Brooks's  Corner  to  West  Cambridge  shall 
be  widened,  Medford  and  Charlestown  paying  for  the  lands 
taken."  Labor  of  a  man  on  the  highways,  one  dollar  for 
eight  hours  ;  and  two  dollars  for  a  team.  In  1819,  one  dollar 
and  twenty-five  cents,  and  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents. 

May  7,  1804  :  The  town  chose  a  Committee  "  to  stake  out 
the  private  ways  in  the  town."  The  intention  of  the  town 
doubtless  was,  that  those  avenues,  paths,  or  range-ways, 
through  which  the  public  have  a  right  of  way,  should  be 
marked  out  and  recorded.  It  is  very  important  that  these 
rights  should  be  preserved,  and  as  important  that  they  should 
not  be  unjustly  claimed.  Settling  near  a  river  gave  superior 
facilities  for  transportation  in  early  times  ;  and,  therefore,  free 


55 


access  to  a  landing  place  was  important.  This  accounts  for 
so  many  of  these  "  private  "  ways  in  New  England.  Nov.  9, 
1846  :  The  town  chose  a  Committee  of  three,  to  ascertain 
what  right  of  way  exists  for  the  use  of  "  Rock  Hill  Land- 
ing." The  owner  of  the  land  denies  all  rights ;  and  a  suit 
is  now  pending,  amicably  to  settle  the  question. 

As  soon  as  ship-building  laid  its  first  keel  in  Medford,  the 
town  felt  a  new  impulse,  and  began  to  increase  in  numbers 
by  a  new  ratio.  This  required  new  streets;  and  from  1810 
to  the  present  time  they  have  been  constantly  opening,  either 
by  municipal  authority  or  by  private  experiment.  These 
may  be  seen,  and  will  be  preserved,  on  the  map  of  Medford, 
now  just  completed. 

The  only  streets  named  in  the  records  before  1843  are 
Main,  South,  Union,  High,  Purchase,  Cross,  Ship,  Park, 
Salem,  Fulton,  and  Forest. 

It  has  become  a  fashion  to  lay  out  small  townships  or  dis- 
tricts anywhere  within  twenty  and  thirty  miles  of  the  capital. 
Private  gentlemen  open  roads  through  their  grounds,  mark 
off  many  acres  into  small  "  lots,"  publish  a  map  of  the  un- 
born city,  and  on  the  appointed  day  begin  to  sell  the  little 
enclosures  at  public  auction.  Many  people  are  thus  happily 
tempted  to  desert  the  city,  and  live  in  the  more  healthful 
country.  By  these  means,  the  number  of  public  roads  has 
been  doubled,  in  some  towns,  within  the  last  twenty  years. 
The  town  of  Medford  is  not  without  such  enterprise,  and 
such  results.  Edmund  T.  Hastings,  Esq.,  originated  for 
"West  Medford  a  beneficence  of  this  kind  in  1845  ;  and,  in 
conjunction  with  Mr.  Samuel  Teel,  jun.,  has  opened  ten  new 
streets ;  and,  within  nine  years,  there  have  been  erected 
thirty-five  dwelling-houses  within  the  enclosures  and  the 
neighborhood. 

A  similar  outlay  has  been  made  (1852)  by  a  Company 
whose  enterprising  agent,  Mr.  T.  P.  Smith,  was  promising 
great  improvements  in  buildings  and  orchards,  when  death 
suddenly  took  him  in  1854.  The  streets  there  are  named 
Harvard  Avenue ;  Bower,  Monument,  Myrtle,  Marian 
Streets  ;    Gorham  Park,  Lake  Park. 

Mr.  John  Bishop  has  done  the  same  thing  on  his  paternal 
estate  north  of  "  Gravelly  Bridge,"  and  also  on  the  deep 
forest  south  of  Pine  Hill.  This  last  he  calls  Bellevue.  On 
the  first  area,  several  dwelling-houses  are  built;  but  on  the 
second,  none.     He  has  pierced  the  woods  by  streets,  which 


56  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

allow  us  to  ride  at  ease  among  tangled  shrubbery  and  ancient 
oaks,  where,  as  children,  we  were  forbidden  to  venture,  for 
fear  of  being  lost.  Some  hundred  years  hence,  when  this 
lovely  spot  shall  have  been  occupied  with  country  villas  and 
beautiful  gardens,  the  fathers  may  sit  in  a  pavilion  on  Pine 
Hill,  and  tell  their  children  how  the  rich  fields  below  them 
were  an  impenetrable  forest. 

A  similar  show  of  diagrams  is  presented  by  Mr.  Bishop  on 
his  lands  east  of  the  "  Fountain  House ; "  and,  we  trust,  cor- 
responding good  results  will  hereafter  be  experienced.  This 
was  done  July  13,  1853  ;  and,  in  honor  of  the  Indian  chief, 
he  has  called  it  "  Sagamore  Vale."  In  former  times,  they 
built  houses,  and  then  laid  out  roads ;  now,  they  lay  out 
roads,  and  then  build  houses. 

The  large  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  acres,  be- 
longing to  Messrs.  James  and  Isaac  Wellington,  situated  on 
the  eastern  border  of  Medford,  was  divided  into  lots  and 
parallel  streets,  Nov.  1,  1854.  Its  nearness  to  Boston,  and 
the  facilities  of  travel  by  railroad,  offer  tempting  situations 
for  suburban. residences. 

In  1854,  twenty  small  houses  were  built  on  one  street  in 
East  Medford ;  ten  on  one  side,  and  ten  on  the  other.  They 
are  all  of  the  same  size  and  form,  equally  distant,  very  near 
together ;  and  each  house  is  opposite  a  space  left  open  on  the 
other  side  of  the  street.  The  settlement  is  called  Williams- 
burg, after  the  builder  and  owner  of  the  houses. 

The  "  Edgeworth  Company,"  in  Maiden,  on  the  eastern 
border  of  Medford,  has  commenced  a  promising  settlement. 

From  earliest  times,  the  town  chose  annually  a  "  Surveyor 
of  Highways,"  whose  duty  it  was  to  superintend  the  repairs  of 
the  public  roads.  He  had  full  power  to  decide  where  and  to 
what  extent  repairs  should  be  made.  As  population  and 
streets  increased,  several  surveyors  became  necessary ;  and 
they  received  compensation  for  their  time  and  labor.  After 
the  brick  Alms  House  was  built  in  West  Medford,  near  the 
Lowell  Railroad  Depot  (1*812),  Isaac  Brooks,  Esq.,  who  had 
taken  the  deepest  interest  in  the  matter,  proposed  to  employ 
the  male  paupers  in  repairing  the  highways.  This  plan  was 
adopted ;  and,  under  the  guidance  of  a  general  surveyor,  the 
keeper  of  the  Alms  House  went  forth  every  day  with  his 
picked  men  and  horse-cart.  As  this  procedure  converted  the 
Alms  House  from  a  place  of  ease  to  a  place  of  labor,  it  had 
the  magical  effect  of  thinning  the  number  of  male  occupants. 


57 


The  annual  cost  for  repairing  the  roads  had  been  from 
two  hundred  and  fifty  to  four  hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

In  1814,  the  town  opposed  the  opening  of  a  road  from  the 
Charlestown  Road,  at  the  foot  of  Winter  Hill,  to  Cragie's 
Bridge  in  East  Cambridge.  A  long  and  warm  debate  con- 
cerning this  project  prevailed  for  a  considerable  time  ;  but,  at 
length,  the  patrons  of  the  measure  succeeded,  and  the  road 
was  opened.  For  twenty  years,  it  proved  to  be,  what  the 
town  foretold  it  would  be,  an  almost  unused  highway.  Even 
now,  it  diverts  very  little  travel  from  the  better  and  shorter 
routes  through  Charlestown. 

In  1818,  the  town  voted  to  expend  one  hundred  dollars  in 
repairing  the  roads;  in  1831,  voted  three  hundred  dollars; 
in  1840,  voted  one  thousand  dollars  ;  in  1850,  voted  fifteen 
hundred  dollars.  Appended  to  the  vote  of  1840  was  this 
prohibition :  None  but  inhabitants  shall  be  allowed  to  work 
in  repairing  the  roads ;  and  each  inhabitant  shall  have  the 
same  right  and  opportunity  of  working  out  his  highway 
tax. 

In  1831,  the  Lowell  Railroad  was  laid  out  through  Med- 
ford,  creating  no  small  opposition  in  some  quarters,  and  as 
warm  advocacy  in  others.  Its  charter  is  dated  June  5,  1830, 
and  bears  the  names  of  John  F.  Loring,  Lemuel  Pope,  Isaac 
P.  Davis,  Kirk  Boot,  Patrick  T.  Jackson,  Geo.  W.  Lyman, 
and  Daniel  P.  Parker.  The  number  of  directors  was  five ; 
the  number  of  shares,  one  thousand.  The  act  provided, 
that  no  other  railroad  should,  within  thirty  years,  be  author-, 
ized  leading  to  any  place  within  five  miles  of  the  northern 
termination  of  the  road.  Its  stock  has,  at  times,  maintained 
a  higher  premium  than  that  of  any  other  company ;  and  the 
road  has  caused  fewer  deaths  than  any  one  so  long  and  so 
much  travelled. 

1832 :  The  town  chose  a  Committee  to  sell  the  Alms 
House  and  lands  adjoining  to  the  corporation  of  the  railroad ; 
and  also  to  see  that  said  road  be  no  obstruction  to  travel. 

The  construction  of  this  road  through  Medford  has  added 
vastly  to  our  wealth  and  comfort.  It  has  doubled  the  price 
of  land  upon  its  borders.  It  has  induced  the  building  of  the 
new  houses  in  West  Medford,  and  promises  to  make  this 
beautiful  portion  of  the  town  a  rival  in  population  to  the 
older  East.  For  the  small  fare  of  fifteen  cents,  it  presents 
each  day  a  dozen  opportunities  for  going  to  Boston,  and  as 
many  for  returning ;  and  occupies  about  fifteen  minutes  in 


58 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


tlie  passage.  Rival  roads  have  lately  deprived  it  of  some  of 
its  former  exclusive  advantages.  This  was  the  first  railroad 
made  in  New  England  for  public  travel.  Its  cost  was  enor- 
mous, and  its  rails  were  all  laid  on  granite  blocks.  These 
have  been  found  to  wear  the  machinery  of  the  locomotives 
and  cars  so  rapidly  as  to  induce  a  substitution  of  wooden 
sleepers.  The  longest  freight-train,  drawn  by  one  engine, 
that  has  passed  loaded  over  the  road,  numbered  one  hundred 
and  sixty-three  baggage  cars. 

The  "  Medford  Branch  Railroad  "  was  incorporated  March 
7,  1845  ;  and  the  names  of  the  petitioners  are  James  O.  Cur- 
tis, Henry  L.  Stearns,  Jos.  Manning,  jun.,  Daniel  Lawrence, 
Nath.  H.  Bishop,  and  Andrew  Blanchard,  jun.  Jan.  22, 1845  : 
The  town  passed  the  following :  "  Resolved,  as  the  sense  of 
the  people  of  Medford,  that  it  is  expedient  that  the  prayer  of 
the  petitioners  for  a  railroad  to  connect  Medford  with  Boston 
be  granted." 

By  the  act  of  incorporation,  "  the  capital  stock  shall  not 
consist  of  more  than  one  thousand  shares  at  one  hundred 
dollars  each."  The  Act  further  stated,  "If  the  said  railroad 
shall  not  be  constructed  within  two  years  from  the  passage  of 
this  act,  then  the  same  shall  be  void."  It  was  readily  finished, 
and  proves  to  be  a  most  productive  and  convenient  road. 

The  "  Stoneham  Branch  Railroad  Company  "  was  incorpo- 
rated May  15,  1851 ;  Thaddeus  Richardson,  Amasa  Farrier, 
and  William  Young,  named  as  the  corporation.  Section  7th 
•of  the  Act  has  the  following  condition:  "The  construction 
of  the  said  road  shall  not  be  commenced  until  the  capital 
named  in  the  charter  shall  have  been  subscribed  by  responsi- 
ble parties,  and  twenty  per  cent  paid  into  the  treasury  of  the 
said  company."  This  road  was  commenced  and  graded  from 
Stoneham  into  the  bounds  of  Medford,  where  its  further 
construction  suddenly  stopped.  That  its  proposed  course 
through  Medford  may  be  changed,  and  the  whole  road  then 
completed,  is  probable. 

The  streets  in  Medford  are,  in  most  places,  furnished  with 
sidewalks  and  ornamented  with  elm-trees.  It  is  cheering  to 
see  the  spaces  at  the  meeting  of  some  roads  occupied  with 
trees.  The  delta  of  four  hundred  feet  at  the  meeting  of 
Grove  and  High  Streets,  in  "West  Medford,  was  the  first 
example.  The  trees  were  planted,  and  the  fences  made  and 
maintained,  by  Hon.  Peter  C.  Brooks.  The  town  granted  him 
permission,  Nov.  22,  1822.    A  legacy  of  five  hundred  dollars 


BRIDGES.  59 

from  Turell  Tufts,  Esq.,  was  expended,  according  to  his 
directions,  in  planting  ornamental  trees  on  the  roadsides. 
May  this  growing  charity  of  a  good  friend  of  Medford  be 
imitated  by  many  hereafter!  Others,  from  motives  of  taste 
and  profit,  have  adorned  our  highways  with  forest-trees, 
whose  summer  shade  will  soon  shelter  the  fashionable  lady 
in  her  morning  promenade,  and  the  weary  animals  in  their 
noonday  labor. 

Streets  in  Medford  have  received  the  following  names  : 
High,  Main,  Forest,  Salem,  Ashland,  Oakland,  Washington, 
Fountain,  Fulton,  Court,  Cross,  Park,  Pleasant,  Purchase, 
South,  Middlesex,  Water,  Ship,  Canal,  Cherry,  Webster, 
Almont,  Cottage,  Ash,  Oak,  Chestnut,  Grove,  Garden,  Paris, 
Chaplin,  Mystic,  Brooks,  Allston,  Vernon,  Irving,  Auburn, 
Prescott,  West,  Laurel. 

Appropriation   for  highways   from   Feb.  1,  1850,   to 

Feb.  1,  1851 $1,500.00 

Appropriation  for  highways  from    Feb.   15,  1854,  to 

Feb.  15,  1855 $1,800.00 

Expenses  of  street  lamps  for  the  same  times  ....        $323.75 


BRIDGES. 

The  bridge  across  Mystic  River,  in  the  centre  of  Medford, 
is  the  first  that  was  built  over  this  stream.  This  primitive 
structure  was  exceedingly  rude,  and  dangerously  frail. 
March  4,  1634 :  The  General  Court,  "  holden  at  Newton," 
make  a  grant  of  much  land  in  Medford,  "  on  the  north  side 
of  Mystic  River,"  to  Mr.  Mathew  Cradock,  merchant  in  Lon- 
don. This  distinguished  friend  of  the  pilgrims  never  came  to 
this  country ;  but  his  agent  and  representative,  Mr.  Nicholas 
Davison,  conducted  an  extensive  fishing  business  in  Medford, 
on  his  account,  and  probably  was  the  person  who  first  sug- 
gested the  erection  of  a  bridge. 

Mr.  Cradock's  agent  (Davison)  commenced  the  building  of 
a  bridge  over  the  river  in  1638.  The  place  selected  was  that 
where  the  present  bridge  stands  ;  that  being  the  most  easterly 
spot,  where  the  marshes,  on  the  south  side  of  the  river, 
would  allow  safe  roads  to  it.  The  builder  exacted  toll.  It 
was  the  first  toll-bridge  in  New  England.  The  town  prose- 
cuted the  builder  for  his  "  hindrance  of  boats,"  and  for  "  tax- 
ing cattle  that  go  over  that  bridge."     The  bridge  was  long, 


60  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

because  the  banks  of  the  river  at  that  place  were  low ;  and 
on  both  sides  was  swamp. 

In  1639,  we  have  the  following  record  on  the  subject  of  a 
bridge :  "  At  the  General  Court,  Boston,  the  22d  of  3  mo. 
(called  May),  1639,  Mr.  Mathew  Cradock  is  freed  of  rates 
to  the  county,  by  agreement  of  the  Court,  for  the  year  ensu- 
ing from  this  day,  in  regard  of  his  charge  in  building  the 
bridge  ;  and  the  county  is  to  finish  it  at  the  charge  of  the 
public.  Mr.  Davison  and  Lieut.  Sprague  to  see  it  done,  and 
to  bring  in  their  bill  of  charges."  This  record  further 
proves  that  a  bridge  had  been  commenced  at  this  early  day 
by  Mr.  Cradock  ;  that  it  was  not  finished  by  him  ;  that  he 
received  exemption  from  taxes  by  a  vote  of  the  General 
Court,  because  the  bridge  was  so  built  and  so  placed  as  to  be 
a  public  benefit ;  and,  finally,  it  proves  that  the  bridge  was 
finished  at  this  time,  and  at  the  expense  of  the  Province. 
Four  years  after  this,  we  have  the  following  record  :  "  Gene- 
ral Court,  May  10,  1643  :  It  is  ordered  Mr.  Tomlins  should 
have  £22  to  repair  Mistick  Bridge,  to  make  it  strong  and  suf- 
ficient, for  which  sum  of  £22  he  hath  undertaken  it."  This 
extract  proves  that  the  bridge  very  soon  needed  repairing, 
and  that  about  one  hundred  dollars  were  necessary  for  the 
work.  The  bridge  therefore  must  have  been  important,  as  a 
public  way,  to  have  received  such  large  attention  from  the 
General  Court.  The  frailty  of  the  structure  must  have  been 
remarkable ;  for,  only  three  years  passed  before  it  again  de- 
manded the  care  of  the  General  Court.  The  record  is  as 
follows  :  "  At  a  General  Court,  at  Boston,  for  Elections,  the 
6th  of  the  3  mo.  (May),  1646,  Ralph  Sprague  and  Edward 
Converse  appointed  to  view  the  bridge  at  Mistick,  and  what 
charge  they  conceive  meet  to  be  presently  expended  for  the 
making  it  sufficient,  and  prevent  the  ruin  thereof,  or  by  fur- 
ther delay  to  endanger  it,  by  agreeing  with  workmen  for  the 
complete  repairing  thereof,  and  to  make  their  return  to  Mr. 
Willoughby  and  Mr.  Burrell,  and  what  they  shall  do  herein 
to  be  satisfied  out  of  the  treasury." 

These  frequent  draughts  on  the  provincial  treasury  began 
to  alarm  the  government,  and  the  following  record  shows  the 
steps  taken  accordingly  :  "  At  a  Session  of  the  General  Court, 
the  First  month,  1648 :  It  was  voted  by  the  whole  Court, 
that  Mistick  Bridge  should  be  made  and  maintained  by  the 
county  at  the  public  charge."  This  movement  created 
alarm  through  Medford,  because  strong  fears  were  entertained 


61 


that  the  county  would  let  the  bridge  go  to  ruin.  No  penalty 
for  non-performance  of  duty  was  imposed.  Mr.  Cradock's 
agent,  therefore,  sent  his  petition,  the  nature  of  which  can  be 
ascertained  only  by  the  following  reply  :  —  "  General  Court, 
28th  of  the  7th  mo.,  1648  :  In  answer  to  the  petition  of 
Nic.  Davison,  in  the  behalf  of  Mr.  Cradock,  for  the  repairing 
and  maintaining  of  Mistick  Bridge  by  the  county,  the  said 
Mr.  Davison  being  sent  for,  the  evidence  he  can  give  being 
heard  and  examined  with  the  records  of  the  General  Court, 
it  appears  that  the  General  Court  did  engage  for  an  exemp- 
tion from  rates  for  that  year,  and  finishing  the  same  on  their 
own  charges,  which  accordingly  hath  been  done." 

We  may  infer  from  these  proceedings,  that  the  bridge  was 
very  likely  to  be  out  of  repair,  and  that  Mr.  Cradock's  work- 
men and  business  required  it  to  be  strong  and  safe.  Five 
years  roll  away,  and  the  county  appears  to  have  done  little 
for  the  safety  of  the  bridge.  The  indefatigable  Mr.  Davison, 
urged  on  doubtless  by  Mr.  Cradock,  appeals  once  more  to 
the  supreme  authority.  That  the  General  Court  should  now 
feel  determined  to  put  an  end  to  this  standing  annoyance,  we 
cannot  wonder.  Probably  by  consultation  with  Mr.  Davison, 
they  came  to  the  following  financial  conclusion  :  "  28th  of  3d 
mo.,  1653  :  Upon  a  petition  presented  by  Mr.  Nicholas  Davi- 
son, in  the  behalf  of  Mr.  Cradock,  in  reference  to  Mistick 
Bridge,  it  is  ordered  by  this  Court,  and  hereby  declared,  that, 
if  any  person  or  persons  shall  appear  that  will  engage  suffi- 
ciently to  build,  repair,  and  maintain  the  bridge  at  Mistick 
at  his  or  their  proper  cost  and  charges,  it  shall  be  lawful,  and 
all  and  every  such  person  or  persons,  so  engaging,  are  hereby 
authorized,  and  have  full  power,  to  ask,  require,  and  receive 
of  every  single  person,  passing  over  the  said  bridge,  one 
penny,  and  for  every  horse  and  man  sixpence ;  for  every 
beast  twopence,  and  for  every  cart  one  shilling  ;  and  this  to 
continue  so  long  as  the  bridge  shall  be  sufficiently  maintained, 
as  aforesaid."  This  order  of  Court  proves  to  us,  that  the 
county  had  not  kept  the  bridge  in  repair ;  that  Mr.  Cradock 
probably  used  it  much  in  transporting  heavy  loads  ;  and, 
finally,  that  the  bridge  was  at  first  constructed  to  allow  the 
passage  of  heavy  burdens  in  ox-teams. 

Put  all  these  legislative  orders  together,  and  the  inferences 
drawn  from  them,  and  we  have  a  very  satisfactory  history  of 
the  first  bridge  in  Medford.  We  can  see,  in  our  mind's  eye, 
a  rude  structure,  sufficiently  wide  to  allow  but  one  cart  to 


62  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

pass  at  the  same  time,  and  so  poorly  put  together  as  to  be 
endangered  by  every  high  tide  and  by  floating  ice.  We  can 
furthermore  see  that  the  bridge  was  placed  where  the  present 
one  stands  ;  and,  lastly,  we  may  say,  that  to  Mr.  Mathew 
Cradock,  of  London,  our  fathers  were  indebted  for  this  great 
convenience. 

The  next  step  of  interest,  relating  to  Mystic  Bridge,  was 
the  appointment  of  a  Committee  by  the  County  Court  to  de- 
cide what  bridges  should  be  built  and  maintained.  They 
report  as  follows,  May  15,  1657:  — 

"  In  obedience  to  an  order  of  the  County  Court,  held  at  Charles- 
town,  Dec.  SO,  1656,  we,  whose  names  are  underwritten,  meeting  at 
Cambridge,  March  2,  1657,  to  weigh  and  consider  what  bridges  are 
fittest  to  be  built  and  maintained  at  the  county's  charge,  after  due 
examination  of  things,  we  find  the  bridges  of  this  county,  already 
erected  and  to  be  erected  (as  we  conceive),  to  exceed  for  number 
and  charge  all  the  other  counties  within  this  Colony  ;  and,  withal, 
considering  the  great  necessity  of  bringing  in  all  that  are  alike  use- 
ful, which  would  amount  to  such  a  charge  that  we  question  the 
county's  ability  to  maintain  and  bear  the  charge  thereof;  and  hav- 
ing some  experimental  knowledge  that  towns  will  be  more  cautious 
in  laying  out  their  own  costs  than  the  counties,  both  in  building  and 
repairing,  do  therefore  conclude,  according  to  our  weak  apprehen- 
sions, that  as  few  bridges  should  be  built  at  the  county's  charge  as  pos- 
sibly may  be  ;  only  those  two  bridges,  i.  e.,  at  Billerica  and  Mistick,  to 
be  finished  at  the  county's  charge,  and  for  time  to  come  maintained  in 
repair  by  the  towns  and  precincts  in  which  they  are,  and  those  towns 
that  are  forced  to  build  bridges  more  for  the  passage  of  others  than 
their  own  benefit  may  have  help  from  the  county,  by  this  honored 
Court's  appointment ;  if  their  burden  in  building  bridges  exceed  their 
sister  towns,  and  in  case  any  town  shall  propound  to  this  honored 
Court  for  erecting  of  bridges  contrary  to  what  is  here  present,  —  we 
are  ready  to  give  further  account  to  this  Court  why  the  county  should 
be  no  further  charged  that  way.  And,  whereas  it  appears  to  us 
that  Concord,  Sudbury,  and  Lancaster  are  at  a  greater  charge  in 
bridges  for  the  public  use  of  the  country  than  some  other  of  their 
neighbor  towns,  we  conceive  it  meet  that  they  be  abated  as  follow- 
eth :  Concord  and  Lancaster  all  their  rates,  whether  paid  or  to  be 
paid,  to  those  two  bridges  above  named,  and  Sudbury  the  one-half  of 
their  rates  to  the  said  bridges,  and  their  abatements  to  be  satisfied 
to  the  undertakers  of  those  bridges,  or  repaid  again  to  such  as  have 
paid,  as  followeth :  i.  e.,  Chelmsford,  two  pounds ;  Billerica,  one 
pound  ;  Charlestown,  ten  pounds  ;  Meadford,  two  pounds  ;  and  what 
these  shall  fall  short  of  satisfying  those  above-mentioned  abatements, 
made  up  out  of  the  county  stock,  either  fines  or  otherwise,  as  the 
Court  shall  please  to  determine. 


63 


"Provided  always,  we  think  it  meet  that  no  stop  be  made  of  any 
the  above-said  abatement,  so  as  to  interfere  or  obstruct  the  perform- 
ing of  the  present  engagement  respecting  those  bridges. 


Ralfe  Mousall. 
Hugh  Mason. 
Edward  Goffe. 
Joseph  Wheeler. 
Thomas  Noyes. 


Edward  Johnson. 
William  Condrey. 
Abraham  Hill. 
Jno.  Prescott. 
John  Parker." 


"April  7,  1657:  This  return  being  made  to  the  Court,  it  was 
accepted  by  the  Court,  who  order  that  this  return  of  the  Committee 
shall  be  presented  to  the  next  General  Court,  by  the  Clerk  of  the 
Court,  for  their  confirmation  and  settling  thereof. 

"  Thomas  Danforth, 

"  Recorder." 

This  report  of  the  Committee  was  accepted,  and  it  placed 
the  question  of  the  bridges  on  its  true  basis. 

T-he  plan  of  taxing  the  county,  or  the  towns  that  use  it, 
for  the  support  of  Medford  Bridge,  was  productive  of  con- 
stant trouble  to  all  concerned,  and  led  to  lingering  lawsuits. 
It  being  the  only  bridge  over  Mystic  River,  it  must  be  used 
by  many  travellers  from  Salem,  Saugus,  Andover,  Reading, 
&c.  Woburn  was  obliged  by  law  to  help  support  it,  and 
they  of  that  town  constantly  complained  and  objected. 

Woburn  records,  of  Oct.  28,  1690,  say :  "  Serg.  Mathew 
Johnson,  Serg.  John  Pierce,  chosen  to  meet  the  Court's 
Committee,  and  treat  with  them  about  Mistick  Bridge."  The 
same  records,  of  May,  1691,  say:  "The  selectmen  met  with 
Maiden  men  and  Reading  men  to  consult  about  defending 
ourselves  at  the  County  Court ;  being  warned  to  appear  there 
about  Mistick  Bridge." 

1693:  Woburn  grew  very  emphatic,  and  said:  "Woburn 
was  not  concerned  in  the  presentment  of  Mistick  Bridge ; 
neither  would  they  do  any  thing  in  order  to  the  repairing 
thereof,  except  by  law  they  were  forced  thereto."  In  1694, 
Woburn  was  again  cited  by  order  of  Court,  and  threatened 
with  a  fine  of  £5 ;  yet  was  inflexible,  and  put  itself  in  the 
posture  of  defence.  The  question  was  tried  at  Boston,  and, 
after  able  attorneys  had  spoken  on  both  sides,  the  Court 
decide  as  follows  :  — 

"  Middlesex,  ss.  — At  the  General  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace, 
holden  at  Charlestown,  Jan.  23,  1694. 


64  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


"  Whereas,  there  was  an  order  of  the  General  Court,  in  the  year 
1691,  referring  to  the  settlement  of  Mistick  Bridge  to  the  County 
Court  of  Middlesex,  the  said  Court  ordering  the  repairing  of  said 
bridge  to  be  by  the  respective  towns  of  Charlestown,  Woburn, 
Maiden,  Reading,  and  Medford,  according  to  their  wonted  manner, 
till  the  Court  make  further  provisions,  and  the  defects  of  said 
bridge  having  been  presented  to  this  Court  before  the  late  law 
respecting  bridges,  this  Court  order  that  the  said  respective  towns 
do  forthwith  make  sufficient  repairs  of  the  said  defect  of  said  bridge, 
upon  pains  and  penalty  of  £5  fine,  to  their  Majesties  for  their 
respective  defaults  of  each  of  the  said  towns ;  and  then  to  make 
return  of  their  doings  therein  to  the  next  General  Sessions  of  the 
Peace  for  Middlesex ;  and  that  for  the  future  it  shall  be  left  to  the 
determination  of  the  law." 


This  decision  was  not  palatable  to  the  defendants.  Med- 
ford's  action  in  the  premises  is  recorded  as  follows :  Voted, 
in  a  "general  town-meeting,  January  11,  1694,  that  the  per- 
sons above  said  are  to  attend  the  premises,  from  Court  to  Court, 
until  there  shall  be  a  final  determination  and  settlement  of 
Mistick  Bridge."  This  Committee  performed  their  duty 
faithfully,  and  the  result  is  recorded  above ;  but,  in  1698, 
Medford  was  again  presented  to  the  Court  for  defect  in  the 
bridge.  On  the  7th  of  March,  the  town  came  together,  and 
voted  "  to  empower  a  lawyer  referring  to  answer  a  present- 
ment for  defect  in  Mistick  Bridge."  March  28,  1698  :  "Voted 
to  empower  Mr.  John  Leverett  for  the  further  defending  the 
town  referring  to  Mistick  Bridge,  in  case  there  be  need ;  and 
said  town  to  pay  lawyer's  charges  and  other  necessary  charges 
that  may  arise  in  defence  of  said  bridge,  as  above  said."  In 
connection  with  this  case,  the  town  resolve,  that,  if  a^-man 
attended  Court  for  sixty  days,  he  should  be  paid  £3  ;  and  for 
any  less  term,  Is.  6d.  per  day.  The  bridge  seemed  to  have 
a  wonderful  aptitude  in  getting  out  of  repair ;  and,  as  Med- 
ford was  liable  to  be  indicted  for  the  fact,  the  bridge  became 
the  standing  vexation  of  the  town.  April  3,  1702,  the 
inhabitants  appoint  three  of  their  number  as  a  Committee  to 
treat  with  Woburn,  Reading,  and  Maiden,  on  the  repairing 
and  maintaining  said  bridge.  Nine  years  bring  up  again 
the  same  question;  and,  May  24,  1711,  the  town  voted  "to 
desire  the  selectmen  of  the  town  to  procure  such  records 
of  Court  or  Courts  as  may  give  information  of  the  division  of 
Mistick  Bridge  to  the  several  neighboring  towns  for  the 
repair  of  the  same."     This  vote,  while  it  shows  us  there  had 


BRIDGES.  65 

been  a  legal  division  of  the  bridge  liabilities,  shows  also  that 
the  contiguous  towns  had  not  done  their  duty  in  the  pre- 
mises. Sept.  81,  1714,  a  rate  of  £15  was  assessed  by  the  se- 
lectmen "  for  Mistick  Bridge."  The  bridge  was  now  rebuilt ; 
but  the  adjoining  towns  refused  to  pay  their  shares,  and  Med- 
ford  voted  to  carry  the  question  before  the  "  General  Sessions 
of  the  Peace,"  sitting  at  Charlestown.  The  object  of  this 
appeal  was  to  show  from  records  that  there  was  no  valid 
reason  for  the  refusal  of  the  neighboring  towns  in  bearing 
their  share  of  the  expense  of  rebuilding.  The  Committee 
chosen  to  prosecute  the  whole  matter  to  its  final  settlement 
were  Deacon  Thomas  Willis,  Ensign  John  Bradshaw,  and 
Mr.  Ebenezer  Brooks. 

The  appeal  of  Medford  was  just,  and  it  was  met  by  "  the 
Court  of  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace,"  sitting  at  Charles- 
town,  Feb.  16,  1715,  thus  :  "  The  Court  apportion  the  charges 
of  rebuilding  Mistick  Bridge  as  follows  :  Charlestown,  ,£64. 
14s.  ;  Woburn,  Maiden,  Reading,  and  Medford,  each  £17. 
12s.  3d. ;  total,  £135.  3s."  To  this  award  Woburn,  Maiden, 
and  Reading  objected,  and  therefore  appealed.  The  conse- 
quence was  a  legal  trial  of  the  case;  and  Medford,  July  11, 
1715,  passed  the  following:  "Voted  to  empower  Deacon 
Thomas  Willis,  Ensign  John  Bradshaw,  and  Mr.  Ebenezer 
Brooks,  as  a  Committee  to  defend  the  town  against  any 
suits  in  law  having  reference  to  the  rebuilding  of  Mistic 
Bridge."     The  decision  was  in  favor  of  Medford. 

When  the  tract  on  the  south  of  the  river  became  annexed 
to  Medford  from  Charlestown  in  1754,  the  town  says :  "  April 
30,  1754  :  The  southerly  half  of  Mistic  Bridge,  and  the  causey 
adjoining,  by  a  resolve  of  the  General  Assembly,  is  now 
within  the  limits  of  Medford."  "May  8,  1754:  Samuel 
Brooks,  Esq.,  Lieut.  Stephen  Hall,  jun.,  and  Jos.  Tufts,  were 
chosen  a  Committee  to  manage  the  affairs  relating  to  the 
southerly  half  of  the  Mistic  Bridge,  and  the  causey  adjoin- 
ing thereto." 

The  increase  of  travel  over  this  bridge  rendered  it  liable 
to  frequent  repairs,  and  Medford  became  sole  owner  of  it. 
The  annexation,  in  1754,  of  that  part  of  Charlestown  which 
lies  near  the  south  bank  of  Mystic  River,  released  that  town 
from  all  obligations  connected  with  the  "  Great  Bridge,"  as  it 
was  called.  Accordingly,  July  25,  1757,  we  find  the  follow 
ing  record:  "Voted,  that  Samuel  Brooks,  Esq.,  Stephen 
Hall,  Esq.,  and  Capt.  Caleb  Brooks,  be  a  Committee  to  agree 
9 


66  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

with  suitable  persons  to  rebuild  the  south  side  of  Medford 
great  bridge  with  wood  or  stone;  and  that  said  Committee 
empower  persons  to  wharf  out  on  each  side  of  said  bridge." 

May  13,  1761:  "Voted  to  treat  with  Woburn,  Reading, 
and  Maiden,  concerning  Medford  Bridge,  and  acquit  any  of 
them  that  shall  comply  from  all  further  charge  ;  and  also  to 
treat  with  the  General  Court,  if  there  be  reason." 

Woburn,  as  we  have  seen,  always  contended  most  stoutly, 
but  ineffectually,  against  paying  for  the  support  of  the  bridge, 
because,  as  she  maintained,  her  people  did  not  use  it.  They 
sometimes  went  to  Boston  through  Charlestown  (now  Somer- 
.ville).  So  troublesome  grew  this  litigation,  that  Woburn 
paid  to  Medford  a  certain  sum  to  be  released  from  all  further 
liabilities. 

The  next  movement  for  this  important  passway,  worthy  of 
record,  was  in  1789,  when  it  was  proposed  to  widen  the 
bridge  and  pave  the  market-place.  The  plan  devised  for 
paying  the  expenses  was  a  common  one  in  that  day ;  it  was 
by  a  lottery;  and,  May  11,  the  town  petitioned  the  General 
Court  to  grant  them  a  lottery  for  these  purposes.  Our  fath- 
ers did  not  think  that  such  a  lottery  was  doing  evil  that  good 
may  come.     The  petition  was  not  granted. 

April  2,  1804  :  On  this  day,  the  Committee,  chosen  at  a 
previous  meeting  to  inquire  into  the  necessity  and  expediency 
of  building  a  new  bridge,  report  that  it  is  expedient  that  a 
new  bridge  be  built ;  and  they  recommend  that  it  be  thirty 
feet  wide,  and  also  that  it  have  a  draw.  They  further  say  it 
should  have  "  four  piers  of  white  oak  timber  of  seven  spoils 
each ;  the  two  outside  piers  to  be  set  twenty  feet  from  each 
other.  To  have  an  arch  in  the  centre  of  twenty-six  feet  in 
the  clear,  and  a  draw  the  width  of  the  arch."  There  were 
two  hundred  and  eighty  dollars  afterwards  subscribed  by 
private  persons,  as  a  donation,  to  help  forward  the  work. 
The  estimated  expense,  without  a  draw,  was  one  thousand 
dollars.  This  proposition  was  received  with  favor ;  and  the 
increasing  business  on  the  river  required  this  width,  and  also 
a  draw  ;  but  it  was  not  immediately  adopted.  Various  plans 
for  meeting  the  expenses  of  the  draw  were  proposed,  but 
without  much  success,  till  a  resolution  was  taken  by  the  town, 
in  1808,  to  do  the  Avhole  thoroughly.  It  was  done ;  and  a 
toll  of  twelve  and  a  half  cents  was  charged  upon  every  vessel 
that  passed  the  draw.  The  next^year,  May  20,  1809,  we  find 
the  following  vote  :    "  Mr.   Timothy  Dexter  to  demand  of 


BRIDGES.  67 

every  lighter,  passing  through  the  draw,  ten  cents  each  time, 
and  twenty  cents  for  larger  vessels." 

This  bridge  answered  all  its  intended  purposes  till  1829, 
when  the  question  of  building  a  new  draw  came  up.  The 
matter  was  referred  to  a  Committee,  who  report,  May  4,  as 
follows :  "  That  the  town  is  under  no  legal  obligation  to 
make  or  maintain  a  drawbridge,  but  may  build  without  a 
draw,  as  heretofore."  Nevertheless,  the  final  result  was 
a  vote  to  build  a  new  bridge,  with  a  draw.  It  was  so  built, 
accordingly ;  but  the  draw  was  so  narrow  that,  in  1834,  the 
town  voted  to  widen  the  draw,  whenever  the  selectmen  shall 
judge  proper.  This  was  done.  The  idea  that  ships  could 
be  built  above  the  bridge  became  common ;  and,  as  ships  of 
the  largest  size  became  fashionable,  it  was  found  that  the 
draw  was  not  sufficiently  wide  to  allow  the  transit  of  one 
then  on  the  stocks.  The  petition  for  widening  was  granted ; 
and,  in  1852,  it  assumed  the  form  it  now  wears.  This  bridge, 
among  the  earliest  in  the  country,  and  among  the  most  im- 
portant in  the  Colony,  has  had  an  eventful  history.  Seldom, 
if  ever,  has  there  been  so  much  legislation  in  the  General 
Court  about  seventy -five  feet  of  bridge ;  and,  certainly,  no 
town  has  talked  and  voted  and  petitioned  and  litigated  so 
much  about  such  a  matter.  It  was  part  of  a  great  thorough- 
fare, and  was  second  to  none  in  importance  to  all  travellers, 
from  the  east  and  north,  who  were  going  to  Boston.  For 
one  hundred  and  fifty  years,  it  was  on  the  nearest  land-route 
for  all  the  travel  of  Maine  and  New  Hampshire ;  and,  within 
the  memory  of  some  now  living,  the  farmers  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, who  brought  large  loads  of  pork  and  grain  in  pungs  to 
Boston,  passed  over  that  bridge  in  companies  of  five,  ten, 
fifteen,  and  twenty  within  the  months  of  January  and  Febru- 
ary. Perhaps  the  strangest  fact  connected  with  it  is,  that  it 
is  still  the  only  bi'idge  for  common  highway  travel  now 
(1855)  across  the  Mystic  River  in  Medford !  That  another 
bridge,  for  free  public  travel,  is  imperiously  demanded  by  the 
growing  wants  of  the  town,  is  generally  acceded ;  and  pro- 
bably such  a  bridge  will  soon  be  built. 

The  other  bridges  of  the  town  were  of  minor  moment ; 
though  that  at  the  Wear  cost  the  town  much  money,  and 
some  trouble.  March  6,  1699 :  "  Put  to  vote,  whether  the 
town  of  Medford  will  give  Mr.  John  Johnson  three  pounds 
towards  the  building  a  sufficient  horse-bridge  over  the  Wears  ; 
said  bridge  being  railed  on  each  side,  and  the  said  bridge 


68  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

raised  so  high  as  there  may  be  a  fit  passage  under  said  bridge 
for  boats  and  rafts  up  and  down  said  river.  This  was  voted 
in  the  affirmative."  This  is  the  first  mention  of  a  bridge  of 
this  kind  at  the  Wear.  The  dwellers  in  the  western  parts  of 
Charlestown  and  Cambridge  came  so  often  to  Medford  that 
they  petitioned  for  the  erection  of  a  bridge  "  at  the  Wears." 
As  Medford  would  be  obliged  to  pay  for  half  of  it,  a  protest 
by  the  town  was  made  against  the  proceeding,  and  the  two 
arguments  used  were,  first,  that  the  ford  was  sufficiently  easy 
and  convenient ;  and,  second,  that  Medford  people  never,  or 
seldom,  travelled  that  way.  The  building  was  deferred  ;  but, 
in  1722,  the  grand  jury  present  the  town  of  Medford  for  not 
maintaining  a  bridge  across  the  Wears.  Aug.  17,  the  town 
"  put  to  vote  whether  the  town  will  choose  a  Committee  to 
answer  a  presentment  by  the  grand  jury  of  the  want  of  a 
bridge  over  the  Wear ;  said  answer  to  be  made  at  Concord 
Court  next/     Voted  in  the  affirmative." 

The  next  important  action  of  the  town  was  May  29,  1746. 
They  petition  Gov.  Shirley  and  the  General  Court  to  order  a 
bridge  built  over  the  Wears,  and  then  apportion  the  expense 
upon  the  towns  that  would  most  use  it ;  or  on  Middlesex 
County.  The  just  decision  of  the  Court  was,  that  Medford 
and  Charlestown  should  build  a  bridge,  and  each  pay  half  the 
expenses  and  keep  it  in  repair.  August,  1747  :  The  General 
Court  "order  that  Samuel  Danforth,  William  Brattle,  and 
Edmund  Trowbridge,  Esquires,  be  a  Committee  of  said  Court, 
empowered  and  directed  to  cause  a  good  and  sufficient  bridge 
to  be  erected  over  the  place  called  the  Wears,  between 
Charlestown  and  Medford  ;  one-half  of  the  charge  to  be  paid 
by  the  town  of  Charlestown,  and  the  other  half  by  the  town 
of  Medford."  Nov.  4,  1747 :  Andrew  Hall,  Ebenezer 
Brooks,  and  Francis  Whitmore,  jun.,  were  appointed  a  Com- 
mittee to  build  one-half  of  the  bridge.  £200  (old  tenor) 
was  raised  to  pay  for  it.  May  12,  1760,  the  selectmen  were 
chosen  to  divide  this  bridge  with  the  town  of  Charlestown. 
Ever  since  that  time,  the  two  towns  have  kept  it  in  good 
repair ;  and,  recently,  it  has  been  rebuilt,  and  is  now  wide 
and  strong.  Its  support  devolves  on  Medford  and  West 
Cambridge. 

"  Gravelly  Bridge,"  so  called,  was  first  built  by  Mr.  Cra- 
dock's  men  probably,  and  was  the  usual  route  for  all  the 
travel  between  the  east  and  west  parts  of  the  town.  It  was 
very  low,  narrow,  and  slender  at  first,  and  received  frequent 


BRIDGES.  69 

repairs.  April  27,  1716,  "put  to  vote  whether  Dea.  Thomas 
Willis,  John  Whitmore,  Jonathan  Tufts,  Ebenezer  Brooks, 
and  John  Willis,  shall  view  and  consider  what  method  may- 
be most  proper  for  the  repairing  of  Gravelly  Bridge,  and 
what  may  be  the  cost  thereof,  and  make  report  to  said  town 
at  their  next  town-meeting.  Voted  in  the  athrmative."  June 
11,  1716:  Voted  "  £5  to  be  raised  for  the  repairing  their 
meeting-house  and  mending  Gravelly  Bridge." 

The  bridge  over  Gravelly  Creek,  in  Ship  Street,  was  built 
by  a  few  Medford  persons,  in  1746,  for  the  purpose  of  mak- 
ing a  road  to  the  tide-mill. 

March  4,  1751 :  Voted  to  build  a  new  bridge  of  stone 
where  the  present  Gravelly  Bridge  is.  This  continued  till 
recently,  when  a  new  one,  built  of  stone,  has  been  widened 
so  as  to  cover  the  entire  street. 

March  7,  1803:  "Voted,  that  the  bridges  over  Meeting- 
house and  Whitmore's  Brooks,  so  called,  be  rebuilt  with 
stone." 

The  bridge  over  Marble  Brook,  in  West  Medford  (called 
"  Meeting-house  Brook  "  in  later  times),  was  made  of  wood  at 
first,  and  so  continued  for  more  than  a  century ;  it  was  then 
built  of  stone,  in  1803,  and  so  continued  till  1850,  when  it 
was  rebuilt  of  stone,  and  made  as  wide  as  the  street.  The 
same  remarks  belong  to  the  small  bridge,  called  "  Whitmore's 
Bridge,"  farther  west,  and  near  the  Lowell  Railroad  Station 
in  West  Medford. 

There  is  one  feature  connected  with  each  of  the  four 
bridges,  herein  described,  which  is  worth  a  passing  notice. 
It  is  this.  These  bridges  were  only  half  the  width  of  the 
road,  and  thus  allowed  fording  ways  at  their  sides.  It  was 
formerly  the  custom  for  those  travelling  with  horses  or  driv- 
ing cattle  to  let  their  horses  and  cattle  pass  through  the 
brook,  and  drink.  The  multiplication  of  wells,  in  public 
squares  and  frequented  places,  has  helped  to  change  the  old 
habits ;  and  now,  generally,  these  "  watering-places "  are 
covered. 

The  bridge  at  Penny  Ferry  (Maiden)  was  opened  for 
travel,  Sept.  28,  1787  ;  and  President  Washington  rode  over 
it  in  October,  1789,  when  he  visited  Salem.  At  that  time, 
he  came  to  Medford  to  see  his  friend,  General  Brooks,  who 
lived  in  the  first  house  west  of  the  meeting-house.  Medford 
opposed  the  building  of  the  bridge  on  two  grounds  :  first, 
that  it   would,   encumber   navigation  ;    and,  second,  that  it 


70  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOKD. 

would  divert  travel  from  Medford.  March  4,  1802,  the 
town  chose  a  Committea  to  compel  the  proprietors  of  Maiden 
Bridge  to  build  the  piers,  next  the  draw,  required  by  their 
act  of  incorporation. 

To  show  how  general  and  how  sharp  was  the  opposition  to 
the  erection  of  Maiden  Bridge,  we  will  quote  from  a  letter  of 
the  Pastor  of  Medford  to  his  friend  in  Charlestown,  dated 
Monday,  June  26,  1786  :  — 

"  Almost  ever  since  I  saw  you,  I  have  been  so  agitated  about 
that  execrable  bridge  at  Penny  Ferry,  that  law  and  divinity  have 
both  been  obliged  to  stand  by,  whilst  I  have  rallied  all  my  powers 
to  fight  the  bridge-builders.  And  still  the  combat  is  not  over.  The 
people  are  bridge-mad.  Old  Judge  R.  is  in  a  perfect  frenzy,  and 
raves  about  Charlestown  and  bridges  with  as  little  reason  as  the 
wildest  lunatic  in  the  defence  of  his  imagined  crown  and  sceptre. 
I  do  think  it  unpardonable  in  him  and  in  the  other  inhabitants  of 
Charlestown,  who  are  abettors  in  this  business.  After  the  danger 
and  terror  they  were  all  in,  from  the  apprehension  of  a  bridge  at 
Leechmere's  Point,  and  the  assistance  which  they  received  from 
this  town  in  making  their  escape,  —  for  them,  so  immediately  to  turn 
upon  us  and  appear  so  zealous  for  the  destruction  of  Medford,  is  a 
conduct  so  base  and  ungenerous  as  nothing  can  palliate.  1  shall  be 
tempted,  when  I  preach  to  them  again,  to  take  total  depravity  for 
my  subject,  though  that  be  a  doctrine  of  which  I  had  begun  to 
doubt  till  I  had  this  recent  proof  of  it. 

"  Last  Saturday  week  passes  among  them  for  the  Great  Day.  I 
felt  but  little  disposed  to  see  the  transactions  of  it,  and  believe 
I  should  not  have  gone  had  I  been  invited.  But  neither  I,  nor  any 
of  my  people,  except  Father  C,  came  to  that  honor.  I  may  say, 
as  Nathan  the  Prophet  did  to  David,  with  reference  to  Adonijah's 
feast,  'But  me,  even  me,  thy  servant,  &c,  they  have  not  called.' 
I  am  told  that  their  preacher,  the  sabbath  after,  gave  them  air  occa- 
sional sermon.  My  informer  (one  of  my  own  people,  you'll  sup- 
pose) could  not  tell  the  text;  but  added,  that,  in  his  opinion,  the 
most  suitable  one  would  have  been  these  words :  '  And  the  devils 
entered  the  herd  of  swine,  and  the  whole  herd  ran  violently  down 
a  steep  place,'  &c. 

"The  Charlestown  Bridge  is  indeed  a  grand  and  noble  affair, 
beyond  any  thing  ever  effected  in  this  country  before.  The  only 
thing  that  I  much  regret  about  it  is,  that  it  has  deprived  so  many, 
both  wise  men  and  fools,  of  their  reason,  and  set  them  raving. 
Judge  R.,  and  his  connections,  are  the  wise  men ;  S.,  and  the  Mai- 
den gang,  are  the  fools.  As  for  the  Maiden  miserables,  they  were 
never  awake  till  the  talk  about  this  bridge  put  them  in  motion,  like 
men  who  walk  in  their  sleep.  They  now  leave  their  corn  unhoed, 
and  their  grass  not  cut,  to  carry  petitions  to  Court  for  a  bridge, 


BRIDGES.  71 


which,  if  built,  rather  than  pay  two  coppers  toll,  for  going  over  it, 
they  would  choose  to  come  round  by  Medford.  But  the  distracted 
creatures  think,  that,  if  there  should  be  a  bridge,  they  shall  at  once 
Commence  a  seaport  town,  have  still-houses,  stores,  and  what  not. 
And  in  consequence  of  this  wretched  delusion,  and  that  neglect  of 
business  among  them,  which  it  occasions,  their  families  next  winter 
will  have  no  bread,  and  their  cattle  no  hay.  It  will  "be  a  deed,  not 
of  charity,  but  of  indispensable  justice,  in  Judge  R.  to  provide  for 
the  support  of  the  poor  ignoramuses;  since  it  is  owing  to  his  super- 
annuated whims  that  their  brains  have  been  turned.  As  for  the  old 
Judge  himself,  I  told  him,  the  other  day,  that,  if  he  had  gone  to  a 
'  better  country '  some  weeks  since,  it  might  have  been  well  for 
him  ;  but,  whether  he  would  ever  get  there  now,  there  was  too 
much  reason  to  fear,  as  he  had  of  late  so  greatly  and  egregiously 
missed  the  way.  His  delirium  is  so  great  that  it  is  not  possible  to 
reason  with  him.  When  my  people  tell  him  that  the  proposed 
bridge  will  ruin  them,  he  answers  all  their  objections  with  '  Well, 
come  and  live  at  Charlestown  then.'  W.  H.  says,  that,  'were  it 
possible,  the  judge  would  try  to  persuade  the  saints  in  heaven  to 
come  down  and  live  in  Charlestown.'  Indeed,  the  Charlestown 
people  in  general,  since  the  bridge  is  done,  are  so  very  high,  that  I 
know  not  whether  they  will  not  think  it  proper  to  add  another  story 
to  their  houses !  Knowing  how  a-tiptoe  they  were  when  I  went 
down  last  week,  though  I  could  not  very  well  afford  to  pay  the  toll 
for  my  carriage,  yet,  rather  than  stop  among  them,  I  chose  to  ride 
directly  into  Boston.  Like  all  other  religious  and  political  enthu- 
siasts, their  heat  will  abate  in  time ;  they  will  gradually  recover 
their  senses,  and  become  like  other  men.  And,  if  the  bridge 
should  stand  seven  years  (of  which,  by  the  way,  I  have  still  my 
doubts),  by  the  expiration  of  that  period  the  inhabitants  of  Charles- 
town will  get  their  eyes  open,  and  will  see  that  it  would  have  been 
more  for  their  interest  if  it  had  never  been  built.  This  town  feels 
the  ill  effects  of  it  already  in  another  respect  besides  the  stir  it  has 
occasioned  for  a  bridge  at  Penny  Ferry.  A  trader,  from  the 
country,  who,  previous  to  the  bridge,  had  all  his  goods  brought  up 
here  in  our  lighters,  did  last  week  send  five  teams  by  us  into  Boston, 
there  to  unload  and  load  again.  And,  if  the  country  traders  gene- 
rally do  so,  our  boatmen  will  lose  a  profitable  part  of  their  business. 
But  this  does  not  give  us  much  concern,  provided  we  can  prevent 
the  bridge  at  Penny  Ferry.  I  scribbled  a  very  long  letter  to  Judge 
Phillips  upon  this  subject  last  week ;  and  he  told  me  to-day  that  it 
is  circulating  among  the  members  of  the  Court.  I  have  kept  a 
copy,  and  will  send  it  to  you  in  a  few  days.  At  present,  I  may 
possibly  want  it  to  show  to  some  whom  I  may  perhaps  wish  to  influ- 
ence by  it.  If  the  facts  which  I  have  produced  do  not  carry  con- 
viction, and  overwhelm  these  bridge-builders  with  confusion,  I  shall 
think  that  all  the  world  is  mad  ;  and  that  I  and  my  people,  with  the 
few  who  have  hitherto  joined  us,  remain  the  only  sober  and  rational 
part  of  this  lower  creation." 


72  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

May  4,  1801 :  "  Voted,  that  the  selectmen,  with  Benj. 
Hall,  Esq.,  and  John  Brooks,  Esq.,  be  a  Committee  to  attend 
at  the  General  Court  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  the  next  session, 
to  prevent,  if  possible,  the  erection  of  another  bridge  across 
Mystic  River."  Nevertheless,  Chelsea  Bridge  was  built  in 
1804.  The  town  directed  the  selectmen  to  petition  the 
General  Court  to  have  the  bridges  over  Mystic  River  widened  ; 
and  that  no  one  should  be  less  than  forty-six  feet  in  width. 

March  12,  1713:  John  Clark  &  Co.  petition  for  a  bridge 
across  Charles  River.  Many  in  Medford  strenuously  opposed 
it ;  and  the  wits  had  some  playful  ridicule  of  the  project. 
The  press,  in  1714,  has  the  following:  "One  great  thing 
proposed  hath  been  the  building  of  a  bridge  over  Charles 
River,  and  that  it  would  be  a  service  to  us.  This  I  look  at 
to  be  next  to  building  castles  in  the  air.  For,  if  we  could 
sink  forty  or  fifty  thousand  pounds  in  building  such  a  bridge, 
the  matter  is  uncertain  whether  it  would  answer  the  end ;  for, 
I  can't  learn  of  a  fast  bridge,  over  such  a  river,  where  there 
is  such  a  stream,  in  the  whole  world." 


INDIANS. 

When  or  where  the  Indians  first  appeared,  ethnologists  do 
not  inform  us.  They  have  always  awakened  a  strange  and 
poetic  interest,  and  have  called  out  a  deep  and  Christian  sym- 
pathy. They  who  connected  themselves  with  the  first  settlers 
of  Medford,  and  continued  their  alliance  through  so  many 
years,  were  too  numerous  and  influential  to  be  omitted  in  this 
history. 

Two  large  and  powerful  tribes  held  sway  in  this  region 
when  our  fathers  landed ;  the  Massachusetts  and  the  Paw- 
tuckets.  Their  chief  enemies  were  the  Tarratines,  on  the 
Penobscot,  who,  at  harvest,  would  come  in  their  canoes,  and 
reap  the  fields  in  this  neighborhood.  One  hundred  of  them 
attacked  Sagamores  John  and  James,  Aug.  8,  1631,  by  night, 
and  wounded  them  and  killed  seven  men.  The  renowned 
Sachem  of  the  Pawtuckets  was  Nanepashemit,  who  removed 
from  Lynn,  1615,  and  took  up  his  abode  on  Mystic  River, 
where  he  was  killed  in  1619.  During  his  short  and  eventful 
residence  in  Medford,  his  house  was  placed  on  "  Rock  Hill," 
where  he  could  best  watch  canoes  in  the  river.  "Winslow 
gives  the  following  account :  — 


INDIANS.  73 

"On  the  morrow  (Sept.  21,  1621),  we  went  ashore,  all  but  two 
men,  and  marched  in  arms  up  in  the  country.  Having  gone  three 
miles,  we  came  to  a  place  where  corn  had  been  newly  gathered,  a 
house  pulled  down,  and  the  people  gone.  A  mile  from  hence, 
Nanepashemit,  their  king,  in  his  lifetime,  had  lived.  His  house 
was  not  like  others ;  but  a  scaffold  was  largely  built,  with  poles  and 
planks,  some  six  foot  from  the  ground,  and  the  house  upon  that, 
being  situated  on  the  top  of  a  hill.  Not  far  from  hence,  in  a 
bottom,  we  came  to  a  fort,  built  by  their  deceased  king ;  the  manner 
thus :  There  were  poles,  some  thirty  or  forty  feet  long,  stuck  in  the 
ground  as  thick  as  they  could  be  set,  one  by  another ;  and  with 
them  they  enclosed  a  ring  some  forty  or  fifty  feet  over ;  a  trench, 
breast-high,  was  digged  on  each  side ;  one  way  there  was  to  go  into 
it  with  a  bridge.  In  the  midst  of  this  palisado,  stood  the  frame  of 
a  house,  wherein,  being  dead,  he  lay  buried.  About  a  mile  from 
hence,  we  came  to  such  another,  but  seated  on  the  top  of  a  hill. 
Here  Nanepashemit  was  killed,  none  dwelling  in  it  since  the  time 
of  his  death." 

The  histories  represent  him  living  in  Medford,  not  far 
from  the  river,  not  far  from  the  pond,  and  on  the  tops  of 
hills.  This  eminent  Grand  Sachem  was  the  father  of  Saga- 
more John  of  Mystick,  Sagamore  James  of  Lynn,  and  Saga- 
more George  of  Salem.  George  finally  became  Sachem  of 
the  Pawtucketts. 

After  the  death,  of  Nanepashemit,  his  wife,  as  Queen  and 
Squa  Sachem,  reigned.  She  married  Webcowit,  the  physi- 
cian of  the  tribe,  "  its  powwow,  priest,  witch,  sorcerer,  and 
chirurgeon."  In  1637,  the  Squa  Sachem  deeded  a  tract  of 
land  in  Musketaquid  (Concord).  In  1639,  she  deeded  a 
tract  to  Charlestown  (now  Somerville) ;  also  another  tract  to 
Jotham  Gibbon,  of  Boston.     This  last  deed  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  This  testifies  that  I,  the  Sachem,  which  have  right  and  posses- 
sion of  the  ground  which  I  reserved  from  Charlestown  and  Cam- 
bridge, which  lies  against  the  Ponds  of  Misticke  with  the  said 
ponds,  I  do  freely  give  to  Jotham  Gibbon,  his  heyres,  executors, 
and  assigns  for  ever ;  not  willing  to  have  him  or  his  disturbed  in 
the  said  gift  after  my  death.  And  this  I  do  without  seeking  too  of 
him  or  any  of  his,  but  I  receiving  many  kindnesses  of  them,  and 
willing  to  acknowledge  their  many  kindnesses  by  this  small  gift  to 
their  son,  Jotham  Gibons. 

"Witness  my  hand,  the  13th  of  11  mo.,  1636. 

"The  Squa  Sachem  £  marke. 
"Webecowit  0  marke. 
"  Witness,  Edmund  Quincy." 

10 


74  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Aug.  1,  1637:  "Squa  Sachem  and  "Webber  Co-wet  did 
acknowledge  in  Court,  that  they  had  received  of  Mr.  Gib- 
bins,  for  the  town  of  Charlestown,  36s.  for  the  land  between 
Charlestown  and  Wenotomies  River,  which  tb^ey  acknowledge 
themselves  to  be  satisfied  for." 

Another  grant,  by  the  "  Squa  Sachem  of  Mistick,"  of  lands 
bordering  on  Medford,  is  as  follows  :  — 

"The  loth  of  the  2d  mo.,  1639:  Wee,  Web-Cowet  and  Squa 
Sachem,  do  sell  unto  the  inhabitants  of  the  towne  of  Charlestowne 
all  the  land  within  the  line  granted  them  by  the  Court  (excepting 
the  farmes  and  the  ground  on  the  west  of  the  two  great  ponds, 
called  Misticke  Ponds),  from  the  south  side  of  Mr.  Nowell's  lott, 
neere  the  upper  end  of  the  ponds,  unto  the  little  runnet  that  cometh 
from  Capt.  Cook's  mills,  which  the  Squa  reserveth  to  their  use,  for 
her  life,  for  the  Indians  to  plant  and  hunt  upon,  and  the  weare 
above  the  ponds  they  also  reserve  for  the  Indians  to  fish  at  whiles 
the  Squa  liveth ;  and,  after  the  death  of  Squa  Sachem,  she  doth 
leave  all  her  lands,  from  Mr.  Mayhue's  house  to  neere  Salem,  to 
the  present  Governor,  Mr.  John  Winthrop,  sen.,  Mr.  Increase 
Nowell,  Mr.  John  Willson,  Mr.  Edward  Gibons,  to  dispose  of,  and 
all  Indians  to  depart ;  and,  for  sattisfaction  from  Charlestowne,  wee 
acknowledge  to  have  received,  in  full  sattisfaction,  twenty  and  one 
coates,  ninten  fathom  of  wampom,  and  three  bushels  of  corn.  In 
witness  whereof,  we  have  here  unto  sett  o'r  hands,  the  day  and  year 
above  named. 

"The mark  of  Squa  Sachem,  m'c. 

"  The  mark  of  Web-Cowet,  m." 

This  queen  died  in  Medford  before  1662,  as  appears  from 
the  following  documents  in  the  2d  vol.  of  Middlesex  Regis- 
try of  Deeds :  — 

"Mr.  Francis  Norton  and  Nicholas  Davison  (Mr.  Cradock's 
agent)  do,  in  the  name  of  the  inhabitants  of  Charlestown,  lay 
claim  to  the  tract  of  land  reserved  to  Squa  Sachem  during  her  life- 
time, and  which  is  at  present  possessed  and  improved  by  Thomas 
Gleison  of  Charlestown  ;  this  land  bounded  on  the  east  by  Mystic 
Pond,  on  the  west  by  Cambridge  Common,  on  the  south  by  the 
land  of  Mr.  Cooke,  on  the  north  formerly  in  the  possession  of  Mr. 
Increase  Nowell. 

"  This  demand  and  claim  was  made  in  the  person  of  John  Fen- 
nell  and  Mr.  William  Sims,  the  25th  of  March,  1662,  at  the  house 
of  Thomas  Gleison. 

"Entered  29th  of  March,  1662,  by  T.  Danforth. 

"  Signed,  "  John  Fennell. 

"  Wm.  Simmes." 


INDIANS.  i  0 

Sagamore  John,  whose  Indian  name  was  Wonohaquaham, 
lived  in  Medford,  and  probably  occupied  at  times  the  house 
of  his  father.  He  was  friendly  to  our  ancestors  ;  he  gave 
them  permission  to  settle,  and  afterwards  apprised  them  of 
the  premeditated  assault  of  the  unfriendly  Indians.  He  died 
in  Medford,  Dec.  5,  1633.  His  last  hours  are  thus  described 
in  "  New  England's  First  Fruits  :  "  — 

"  Sagamore  John,  Prince  of  Massaquesers,  was,  from  our  very- 
first  landing,  more  courteous,  ingenious,  and,  to  the  English,  more 
loving  than  others  of  them.  He  desired  to  learn  and  speak  our 
language,  and  loved  to  imitate  us  in  our  behavior  and  apparel,  and 
began  to  hearken  after  our  God  and  his  ways,  and  would  much 
commend  Englishmen  and  their  God,  saying  (much  good  men,  much 
good  God)  and  being  convinced  that  our  condition  and  ways  were 
better  far  than  theirs,  did  resolve  and  promise  to  leave  the  Indians, 
and  come  live  with  us ;  but  yet,  kept  down  by  the  fears  and  scoffs 
of  the  Indians,  had  not  power  to  make  good  his  purpose ;  yet  went 
on,  not  without  some  trouble  of  mind  and  secret  plucks  of  con- 
science, as  the  sequel  declares ;  for,  being  struck  with  death,  fear- 
fully cried  out  of  himself  that  he  had  not  come  to  live  with  us,  to 
have  known  our  God  better.  '  But  now,'  said  he,  '  I  must  die,  the 
God  of  the  English  is  much  angry  with  me,  and  will  destroy  me. 
Ah !  I  was  afraid  of  the  scoffs  of  the  wicked  Indians ;  yet  my 
child  shall  live  with  the  English,  and  learn  to  know  their  God,  when 
I  am  dead.  I  will  give  him  to  Mr.  Wilson :  he  is  much  good  man, 
and  much  love  me.'  So  sent  for  Mr.  Wilson  to  come  to  him,  and 
committed  his  only  child  to  his  care,  and  so  died." 

The  Indians  were  powerful  on  this  shore ;  and  Gosnold, 
who  was  at  Cape  Cod  in  1602,  says  "  this  coast  is  very  full 
of  people."  Capt.  Smith,  who  was  here  in  1614,  says  it 
"was  well  inhabited  with  many  people."  Sir  Ferdinando 
Gorges  adds,  "At  our  first  discovery  of  those  coasts,  we  found 
it  very  populous,  the  inhabitants  stout  and  warlike."  Speak- 
ing of  the  Mattachusetts,  Capt.  Smith  observes,  "  For  their 
trade  and  merchandise,  to  each  of  their  principal  families  or 
habitations,  they  have  divers  towns  and  people  belonging, 
and,  by  their  relations  and  descriptions,  more  than  twenty 
several  habitations.  It  is  the  Paradise  of  all  those  parts ;  for 
here  are  many  isles  planted  with  corn,  groves,  mulberries, 
savage  gardens,  and  good  harbors.  The  seacoast,  as  you 
shows  you  all  along  large  cornfields." 

This  picture  of  Indian  prosperity  was  almost  wholly  effaced 
by  the  terrible  plague  of  1617  and  1618.  Morton  says  of 
it,  "They  died  on  heaps  as  they  lay  in  their  houses ;  and  the 


76  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

living,  that  were  able  to  shift  for  themselves,  would  run 
away  and  let  them  die,  and  let  their  carcasses  lie  above  the 
ground  without  burial.  And  the  bones  and  skulls  upon  the 
several  places  of  their  habitations  made  such  a  spectacle,  that 
it  seemed  to  me  a  new-found  Golgotha." 

Dermer,  who  was  at  Cape  Cod  in  1619,  says:  "I  passed 
along  the  coast,  where  I  found  some  eminent  plantations,  not  ■ 
long  since  populous,  now  utterly  void.  In  another  place  a 
remnant  remains,  but  not  free  from  sickness ;  their  disease 
the  plague." 

Rev.  Francis  Higginson,  in  1629,  speaking  of  the  Saga- 
mores, says :  "  Their  subjects,  above  twelve  years  since, 
were  swept  away  by  a  great  and  grievous  plague,  that  was 
amongst  them,  so  that  there  are  very  few  left  to  inhabit  the 
country."  Gookin  says:  "I  have  discoursed  with  some  old 
Indians,  that  were  then  youths  (in  the  time  of  the  plague), 
who  say  that  the  bodies  all  over  were  exceedingly  yellow ; 
describing  it  by  a  yellow  garment  they  showed  me,  both 
before  they  died  and  afterwards." 

It  is  estimated  that,  on  the  arrival  of  the  English,  there 
were  about  twenty  thousand  Indians  within  fifty  miles  of 
Plymouth.  Their  government  was  rather  patriarchal  than 
monarchical.  Several  hundreds,  united  under  one  head, 
made  a  family ;  and  their  head  was  called  Sagamore.  When 
several  families  were  united  under  one  head,  that  head  was 
called  Sachem.  The  territory  for  many  miles  round  Mystic 
River  was  owned  and  occupied  by  small  tribes  or  detach- 
ments, each  having  its  own  head.  The  land  on  which  we 
live  belonged  to  Sagamore  John.  He  had  a  brother  James, 
who  was  Sagamore  at  Saugus.  Their  father  bequeathed  his 
sovereignty  in  equal  proportions  to  his  two  sons,  as  was  the 
common  rule.  The  Sagamores  were  subordinates  to  the 
higher  chief.  The  Naumkeags  owned  the  territory  from 
North  River,  in  Salem,  to  Charles  River ;  and  their  numbers 
were  computed  at  six  thousand. 

Hubbard  says :  "  Near  the  mouth  of  Charles  River,  there 
used  to  be  the  general  rendezvous  of  all  the  Indians,  both  on 
the  north  and  south  side  of  the  country.  It  was  the  seat  of 
the  great  Sachem,  who  was  much  venerated  by  all  the  planta- 
tions of  Indians.  At  Mistick  was  the  seat  of  a  Sagamore, 
near  adjoining  which  is  a  great  creek  that  meets  with  the 
mouth  of  Charles  River,  and  so  makes  the  haven  of  Boston." 

The  records  of  Charlestown  sav :  "  About  the  months  of 


INDIANS.  77 

April  or  May,  A.  D.  1630,  there  was  a  great  design  of  the 
Indians,  from  the  Narragansetts,  and  all  round  about  us  to 
the  eastward  in  all  parts,  to  cut  off  the  English,  which  John 
Sagamore  (who  always  loved  the  English)  revealed  to  the 
inhabitants  of  this  town." 

Such  threats  as  these  induced  Mr.  Cradock's  men  to  build 
brick  houses  which  would  answer  the  uses  of  forts.  For  this 
reason,  Charlestown  this  year  "  erected  a  small  fort  on  the 
top  of  Town  Hill ; "  the  women  helped  the  men  to  dig  and 
build. 

So  destructive  had  been  "the  plague"  (or  yellow  fever) 
that  Mr.  Higginson  says,  1629 :  "  The  greatest  Sagamores 
about  us  cannot  make  above  three  hundred  men  (warriors), 
and  other  less  Sagamores  have  not  above  fifteen  subjects,  and 
others  near  about  us  but  two."  Gov.  Dudley,  in  1631,  says  : 
"  Upon  the  river  Mistick  is  situated  Sagamore  John ;  and 
upon  the  river  Saugus,  Sagamore  James,  his  brother.  Both 
these  brothers  command  not  above  thirty  or  forty  men,  for 
aught  I  can  learn."  We  have  it  from  Gov.  Winthrop,  that 
in  1633  Sagamores  John  and  James,  and  most  of  their  people, 
died  of  the  small  pox.  Of  the  subjects  of  John,  thirty  were 
buried  in  one  day  by  Mr.  Maverick.  The  disease  spread  to 
Piscatoqua,  where  it  proved  mortal  to  all  the  Indians,  except 
two  or  three. 

Thus  we  learn  that  the  region  round  Mystic  River  was 
"  almost  wholly  deserted."  It  became  a  dreaded  region,  and 
Indian  superstition  kept  it  so ;  for  Johnson  says,  "  The 
neighboring  Indians  did  abandon  those  places  for  fear  of 
death."  A  writer  of  1632  says  the  "peninsular,"  meaning 
the  space  between  Boston  and  Medford,  "is  full  of  Indians." 
"We  apprehend  that  this  statement  needs  qualification.  Thus 
reduced  and  disheartened,  it  was  not  difficult  for  our  Medford 
ancestors  to  govern  them.  Wisdom,  virtue,  and  valor  have  a 
natural  right  to  govern.  The  strong  characters  of  our 
fathers  carried  a  magnetic  influence  to  the  Indian's  heart. 
He  saw  that  they  had  intelligence  to  plan,  courage  to  perse- 
vere, and  power  to  execute ;  and  the  natural  consequence 
was  submission.  But  it  was  not  the  rule  of  tyrants  on  the 
one  hand,  nor  the  subjection  of  slaves  on  the  other :  it  was 
the  friendly  influence  of  Christian  missionaries  among  hea- 
then, for  whose  conversion  they  labored  and  prayed.  Gov. 
Cradock  writes  to  his  agents  here,  "  Above  all,  we  pray  you 
be  careful  there  be  none  in  our  precincts  permitted  to  do  any 


78  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

injury  (in  the  least  kind)  to  the  heathen  people ;  and  if  any 
offend  in  that  way,  let  them  receive  due  correction."  Our 
Medford  settlers  were  forbidden  to  buy  lands  of  the  Indians 
without  leave  ;  and  they  were  forbidden  to  sell  them  "  strong 
water."  We  find  the  following  record,  May  9,  1632  :  "  It  is 
agreed  that  there  shall  be  a  trucking-house  appointed  in 
every  plantation,  whither  the  Indians  may  resort  to  trade,  to 
avoid  their  coming  to  several  houses."  The  Indians  had 
great  confidence  in  our  fathers  ;  and  nothing  was  omitted 
which  justice  or  humanity  required.  An  Indian  was  murdered 
in  the  Old  Colony ;  and  three  Englishmen,  fairly  convicted, 
were  hung  for  it.  Sagamore  John  complains  (March  8,  1631) 
that  two  of  his  wigwams  had  been  burnt  by  the  English. 
He  was  immediately  paid  for  them,  and  went  away  perfectly 
satisfied.  Eliot's  translation  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures  into 
the  Indian  tongue  (1648)  was  circulated  by  our  fathers  among 
the  tribes  of  this  region. 

This  godlike  man  speaks  of  "  the  Mistick  Indians  "  with 
affection  and  respect  in  a  letter,  Nov.  13,  1649,  and  says  they 
were  ingenious  and  good  and  prayerful,  and  came  often  to 
the  place  where  he  preached.  They  were  called  "  Praying 
Indians." 

August  7,  1632 :  "  Sagamore  John  promised  against  the 
next  year,  and  so  ever  after,  to  fence  their  corn  against  all 
kinds  of  cattle."  "  Chickataubott  and  Sagamore  John  pro- 
mised to  make  satisfaction  for  whatever  wrong  that  any  of 
their  men  shall  do  to  any  of  the  English,  to  their  cattle,  or 
any  other  wares." 

March  7,  1644  :  By  solemn  compact,  all  the  Indians  in  this 
jurisdiction  put  themselves  under  the  government  and  pro- 
tection of  the  Massachusetts  Colony.  The  General  Court, 
with  true  Christian  policy,  institute  special  legal  tribunals  for 
the  trial  of  their  causes.  The  laws  enacted  concerning  them 
were  wise  and  tolerant.  Among  them  were  these :  Titles  to 
land  to  be  purchased  at  satisfactory  prices  ;  Indians  never  to 
be  molested ;  not  allowed  fire-arms  ;  a  crime  to  sell  them  fire- 
arms or  ammunition ;  intermarriage  with  them  discouraged ; 
strange  Indians  to  be  kept  out.  Governor  Winslow,  in  a 
letter,  dated  May  1,  1676,  says:  "I  think  I  can  clearly  say, 
that  the  English  did  not  possess  one  foot  of  J  and  in  this  Colony 
but  what  was  fairly  obtained  by  honest  purchase  of  the  Indian 
proprietors."  Governor  Cradock  (1629)  says:  "  If  any  of 
the  savages  pretend  right  of  inheritance  to  all  or  any  part  of 


INDIANS.  79 

the  lands  granted  in  our  patent,  we  pray  you  endeavor  to 
purchase  their  title,  that  we  may  avoid  the  least  scruple  of 
intrusion." 

Although  our  Medford  ancestors  took  every  precaution  to 
conciliate  their  copper-colored  neighbors,  and  although  hos- 
tilities did  not  commence  between  the  settlers  and  the  natives 
till  Philip's  War,  nevertheless  the  chiefs  felt  jealous  of  the 
whites.  Of  this  there  is  as  little  doubt  as  there  is  that  they 
sometimes  had  reason  for  it.  The  erection  of  forts  in  this 
plantation,  and  the  placing  of  palisades  about  their  houses, 
testify  to  the  apprehensions  of  our  fathers.  Is  it  not  natural 
to  suppose  that  between  the  red  men  and  the  whites  there 
might  be  suspicion  ?  The  Indians  led  lives  of  hunting  and 
war,  and  they  saw  the  white  men  banded  together  for  trade 
and  self-defence.  What  so  common  in  a  savage  breast  as 
suspicion  ?  The  English  appeared  to  the  Indians  to  be  dan- 
gerous intruders ;  and  every  new  act  was  misconstrued  into 
a  premeditated  encroachment.  Philip's  War  (1675),  as  it 
brought  the  great  question  of  supremacy  to  its  crisis,  gave 
form  to  the  feelings  of  both  parties,  and  settled  the  terms  of 
future  companionship.  Six  hundred  whites  were  slain,  which 
was  one  man  in  every  eleven ;  six  hundred  buildings  were 
burned,  and  twelve  towns  utterly  destroyed.  The  Indians 
believed  that  they  were  called  to  fight  for  their  wives  and 
children,  their  homes  and  hunting-grounds.  They  felt  them- 
selves to  be  great,  as  they  knew  themselves  to  be  brave. 
They  held  themselves  to  be  chieftains  of  the  rivers  and  the 
waterfalls,  lords  of  the  mountain-pass  and  the  mountain-peak, 
owners  of  the  illimitable  forests,  and  conquerors  of  the  pan- 
ther and  the  bear ;  and  they  felt  that  all  was  held  by  a  title- 
deed,  which  ran  back  farther  than  human  dates  and  parch- 
ment registers.  For  such  men,  with  such  a  faith,  to  succumb 
to  foreign  intruders  they  felt  to  be  worse  than  death. 

Philip's  army  numbered  three  thousand  five  hundred  ;  and 
our  town  furnished  its  quota  of  men  and  money  to  oppose 
it.  Xot  a  soldier  nor  a  penny  was  furnished  by  the  mother 
country  to  protect  or  aid  the  whites  in  that  eventful  struggle. 

To  the  honor  of  the  first  settlers  of  Medford  be  it  said, 
that  they  followed  the  advice  of  Mr.  Cradock ;  and  no 
instance  of  injustice  or  oppression  towards  the  Indians  can 
be  traced  in  our  history.  The  town  often  passed  laws  touch- 
ing those  who  dwelt  among  them ;  but  those  laws  were  exe- 
cuted with  kindness.     There  were  some  here  as  slaves ;  for 


80  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

the  General  Court  in  early  times  passed  a  law  that  any  Indian 
convicted  of  crime,  or  taken  in  war,  should  be  sold  as  a  slave. 
The  law  of  1646  gave  them  some  trouble.  It  ran  thus :  "  It 
is  ordered  and  decreed  that  no  Indian  shall,  at  any  time, 
powwow,  or  perform  outward  worship  of  their  false  gods,  or 
to  the  devil,  in  any  part  of  our  jurisdiction."  Penalty  £5. 
In  1698,  there  were  four  thousand  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
eight  Indians  in  Massachusetts ;  and  there  were  enough  in 
this  neighborhood  to  keep  our  fathers  wide  awake.  It  was 
common  to  go  armed  to  the  ploughing  field ;  and  Mac  Fingal, 
in  his  way,  gives  us  the  following  history  of  those  times  :  — 

"  For  once,  for  fear  of  Indian  beating, 
Our  grandsires  bore  their  guns  to  meeting ; 
Each  man  equipped,  on  Sunday  morn, 
With  psalm-book,  shot,  and  powder-horn  ; 
And  looked  in  form,  as  all  must  grant, 
Like  the  ancient  true  church-militant ; 
Or  fierce,  like  modern  deep  divines, 
Who  fight  with  quills,  like  porcupines." 

"Wood  describes  the  Indians  of  this  region  thus  :  — 

"  First,  of  their  stature ;  most  of  them  being  between  five  and 
six  feet  high,  straight-bodied,  strongly  composed,  smooth-skinned, 
merry-countenanced,  of  complexion  somewhat  more  swarthy  than 
Spaniards,  black-haired,  high-foreheaded,  black-eyed,  out-nosed, 
broad-shouldered,  brawny-armed,  long  and  slender-handed,  out- 
breasted,  small-waisted,  lank-bellied,  well-thighed,  fiat-kneed,  hand- 
some grown  legs,  and  small  feet.  In  a  word,  take  them  when  the 
blood  brisks  in  their  veins,  when  the  flesh  is  on  their  backs,  and 
marrow  in  their  bones,  when  they  frolic  in  their  antique  deportments 
and  Indian  postures,  and  they  are  more  amiable  to  behold  (though 
only  in  Adam's  livery)  than  many  a  compounded  fantastic  in  the 
newest  fashion.  It  may  puzzle  belief  to  conceive  how  such  lusty 
bodies  should  have  their  rise  and  daily  supportment  from  so  slender 
a  fostering;  their  houses  being  mean,  their  lodging  as  homely, 
commons  scant,  their  drink  water,  and  nature  their  best  clothing." 

Remnants  of  the  Indian  tribes  were  common  till  the  be- 
ginning of  the  present  century.  In  Medford  they  lived  in 
"  Turkey  Swamp."  So  late  even  as  our  day,  farmers  in 
Medford  have  ploughed  up  stone  arrow-heads,  stone  drills, 
and  other  Indian  weapons  and  tools.  No  Indian  necropolis 
has  yet  been  discovered,  though  one  probably  exists  on  the 
borders  of  our  pond.  The  last  Indian  here  was  "Hannah 
Shiner,"  a  full  blood,  who  lived  with  "  Old  Toney,"  a  noble- 


INDIANS.  81 

soulecl  mulatto  man,  who  lived  on  the  Woburn  Road,  in 
"West  Medford,  opposite  where  the  town  schoolhouse  once 
stood.  Hannah  was  kind-hearted,  a  faithful  friend,  a  sharp 
enemy,  a  judge  of  herbs,  a  weaver  of  baskets,  and  a  lover  of 
rum.  Toney  was  once  well  off;  and  on  Thanksgiving  Day, 
when  he  was  to  give  a  rich  dinner  to  a  dozen  of  his  colored 
friends,  his  house  took  fire,  and  was  wholly  consumed.  They, 
of  us,  who  remember  the  old  liberated  slaves,  remember  how 
much  they  suffered  from  winter's  coldness.  The  black  man's 
skin  is  made  to  bear  the  heat,  the  white  man's  to  bear  the 
cold ;  and  both  races  flourish  best  by  regarding  the  law. 
"Deb  Saco  "  was  another  specimen  whom  many  remember, 
and  who  died  about  twelve  years  ago.  "  Sulk  and  Lucy  " 
were  the  last  couple  in  West  Medford  of  the  liberated  slaves. 
They  lived  near  the  road  leading  to  West  Cambridge,  in  a 
small  building,  whose  roof  was  turf,  and  which  obtained  the 
title  of  "  Salt  Box."  We  know  that  all  these  persons  were 
tenderly  cared  for  by  their  neighbors,  and  their  last  days 
made  comfortable  and  happy. 

We  fear  that  the  modern  scheme  of  gathering  all  the  In- 
dians within  the  limits  of  one  free  state,  and  that  state  to 
be  wholly  theirs,  with  all  the  powers  and  privileges  of  other 
states,  will  not  succeed.  It  will  be  found  extremely  diffi- 
cult to  persuade  all  the  chiefs  to  abdicate  and  destroy  their 
crowns  ;  to  annihilate  the  deadly  hostilities  of  ancient  tribes  ; 
to  change  the  established  habits  of  hunting,  and  substitute 
hard  labor,  and  to  reconcile  the  opposing  religious  beliefs. 

This  noble  and  peculiar  people  seemed  doomed  to  retreat, 
before  the  resistless  march  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  race,  till  they 
reach  the  shores  of  the  Pacific ;  and  we  can  imagine  the  last 
Indian,  the  sole  survivor  on  this  western  continent,  standing 
on  a  lofty  crag,  which  overhangs  the  sea,  and  there  calling  to 
mind  the  sad  and  eventful  histories  of  his  wasted  country- 
men. He  thinks  of  the  time  when  the  wigwams  of  his 
brethren  were  scattered  over  the  entire  region,  from  the  spot 
where  he  stands  to  the  borders  of  the  Atlantic  coast,  and  each 
wigwam  filled  with  a  happy  and  prosperous  family.  He 
thinks  of  their  ancestral  rights  and  their  traditional  glories, 
their  feats  in  the  hunt  and  their  valor  in  the  fight,  their  calu- 
met of  peace  and  their  dance  of  victory.  He  remembers  the 
deeds^  of  his  -father  and  the  love  of  his  mother,  the  sweet 
devotion  of  his  wife,  and  the  noble  promise  of  his  children ; 
and  he  sees  now  that  all  these  have  vanished.  He  sees  that 
11 


82  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORX). 

all  those  joys  are  over,  those  battles  fought,  those  council- 
fires  extinguished,  and  those  hopes  prostrate  in  the  dust ;  and, 
instead  thereof,  he  sees  the  white  man,  who  has  wrought  all 
these  desolations,  rushing  towards  him.  For  a  moment  he 
forgets  himself.  The  avenging  ire  of  the  Indian  rises  within 
him,  the  blood  crimsons  his  manly  cheek,  and  he  seizes  with 
convulsive  grasp  his  tomahawk  and  bow ;  but  the  next  instant 
tells  him  it  is  too  late.  All  is  lost.  He  drops  his  tomahawk 
on  the  ground,  shoots  his  last  arrow  towards  the  east,  lifts 
his  right  hand  in  adoration  of  the  Great  Spirit,  and  then,  all 
unconquered,  leaps  from  the  precipice  into  the  stormy  sea, 
and  closes  the  history  of  his  race. 

MATHEW   CRADOCK. 

Medford  owes  its  first  settlement  to  the  influence  of  Gov- 
ernor Cradock  and  Governor  Winthrop.  The  first  gentleman 
was  the  richest  individual  attached  to  the  New  England 
Company;  and  he  gave  his  money  with  the  freedom  of  an 
enthusiast.  In  vol.  ix.,  No.  2,  of  the  New  England  Genea- 
logical Register,  is  the  genealogy  of  Gov.  Cradock.  He  lived 
in  Swithin's  Lane,  London,  near  London  Stone  ;  and  "  had  a 
house  furnished  at  Rumford,  in  Essex."  The  first  that  we 
hear  of  him  is  as  a  distinguished  merchant,  taking  a  deep 
interest  in  the  Puritan  cause  and  in  the  settlement  of  New 
England.  He  was  especially  instrumental  in  forming  the 
11  Company  of  Massachusetts  Bay,"  whose  organization  was 
the  first  systematic  effort  for  the  permanent  settlement  of  this 
Colony.  To  obtain  a  charter  was* a  primary  object ;  and  he 
was  among  the  foremost  in  petitioning  the  king.  The  boon 
was  finally  granted  by  Charles  First,  March  4,  1628-9,  and 
called  the  "  Charter  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  in  New  Eng- 
land." In  this  important  document, the  king  says  :  "And  for 
the  better  execution  of  our  royal  pleasure  and  grant  in  this 
behalf,  we  do,  by  this  present,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  succes- 
sors, nominate,  make,  and  constitute  our  well-beloved  the 
said  Mathew  Cradock,  to  be  the  first  and  present  Governor 
of  the  said  company."  The  Governor  was  to  be  chosen 
annually ;  and,  May  13,  1629,  Mr.  Cradock  was  elected  to 
that  office.  Whenever  a  "  Court "  was  held  in  London  (and 
they  were  held  very  often),  the  Governor  presided.  The 
Court  consisted  of  the  Governor,  Deputy-Governor,  Secre- 
tary, and  Assistants.      They  were   the   government  of   the 


MATHEW    CHADOCK. 


83 


company,  which  was  a  commercial  establishment  in  England, 
not  vested  with  political  power  as  rulers.  Oct.  20,  1629 : 
Mr.  Cradock  was  chosen  an  Assistant.  In  all  subscriptions 
for  helping  the  Colony,  he  gave  the  largest  sum ;  and  to  show 
how  extensively  he  loaned  for  special  purposes,  we  find  the 
Court  of  Assistants,  at  London,  Nov.  20,  1629,  voting  to  pay 
him  1800,  to  reimburse  what  he  had  paid  for  sailors'  wages 
and  other  incidental  expenses.  In  the  annual  Registers  he 
was  styled  the  "first  Governor  of  the  Colony;"  but  he  had 
not  the  full  legislative  and  executive  powers  afterwards 
granted  to  Gov.  AVinthrop ;  for  he  did  not  need  them. 

July  28,  1629 :  On  this  day  Mr.  Cradock  brought  before 
the  Court  the  important  proposition,  namely,  to  transfer  the 
government  of  the  Colony  from  London  to  New  England. 
This  bold  measure,  which  would  change  an  English  com- 
mercial corporation  into  an  organized  transatlantic  govern- 
ment, was  second  only,  in  importance,  to  the  coming  of  the 
"Mayflower."  The  company  say,  in  1629:  "The  propaga- 
tion of  the  gospel  is  the  thing  we  do  profess  above  all  to  be 
our  aim  in  settling  this  plantation."  „How  rapidly  does  the 
mind  travel  from  this  prophetic  fact  to  its  natural  conse- 
quences !  "We  see  a  positive  provincial  government,  secured 
by  a  royal  charter,  taking  root  among  Anglo-Saxon  Puritans, 
three  thousand  miles  distant  from  arbitrary  masters ;  and  we 
readily  infer  that  self-government  will  gradually  strengthen 
till  national  independence  is  evolved.  To  Mr.  Cradock 
belongs  the  honor  of  this  movement  in  London  ,•  and  that 
honor  is  not  lessened  by  the  fact  that  he  was  not  going  to 
America.  His  zeal  in  the  project  is  proved  by  his  subse- 
quent labor  and  contributions  to  promote  it.  Two  of  the  ships 
which  sailed  with  the  "Arbella  "  belonged  to  him.  They  were 
the  "Ambrose"  (Capt.  John  Lowe)  and  the  "Jewel"  (Capt. 
Nicholas  Hurlston) ;  and  in  these  vessels  came  Mr.  Cradock's 
fishermen,  coopers,  and  shipwrights  ;  and  in  them,  doubtless, 
came  most  of  the  first  settlers  of  Medford  from  Suffolk  and 
Essex. 

We  will  here  give  a  copy  of  a  letter  which  will  be  read 
with  deep  interest :  — 

Letter  from  Mathew  Cradock,  Governor  of  the  Company ;  addressed 
to  Mr.  John  Eadicott,  then  in  New  England. 

"  Worthy  sir,  and  my  loving  friend :  All  due  commendations  pre- 
mised to  yourself  and   second  self,  with  hearty  well-wishes  from 


84  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOKD. 


myself  and  many  others,  well-wishers  and  adventurers  in  this  our 
plantation,  to  yourself  and  the  rest  of  your  good  company,  of  whose 
safe  arrival  heing  now  thoroughly  informed  by  your  letters,  bearing 
date  the  13th  Sept.  last,  which  came  to  my  hands  the  13  this  instant 
February,  we  do  not  a  little  rejoice ;  and  to  "hear  that  my  good 
cousin,  your  wife,  were  perfectly  recovered  of  her  health  would  be 
an  acceptable  news  to  us  all ;  which  God  grant  in  his  good  time  that 
we  may.  Meanwhile,  I  am,  in  the  behalf  of  our  whole  company 
(which  are  much  enlarged  since  your  departure  out  of  England),  to 
give  you  hearty  thanks  for  your  large  advice  contained  in  this  your 
letter,  which  I  have  fully  imparted  unto  them,  and,  farther,  to  give 
proof  that  they  intend  not  to  be  wanting  by  all  good  means  to 
further  the  plantation;  to  which  purpose  (God  willing)  you  shall 
hear  more  at  another  time,  and  that  speedily ;  there  being  one  ship 

bought  for  the  company  of tons,  and  two  others  hired  of  two 

hundred  tons  each  of  them,  one  of  nineteen,  and  one  of pieces 

of  ordnance,  besides  not  unlike  but  one  other  vessel  shall  come  in 
company  with  these ;  in  all  which  ships,  for  the  general  stock  and 
property  of  the  adventurers,  there  is  likely  to  be  sent  thither  twixt 
two  and  three  hundred  persons  (we  hope  to  reside  there),  and  about 
one  hundred  head  of  cattle.  Wherefore,  as  I  wrote  you  in  full, 
and  sent  by  Mr.  Allerton,  of  New  Plymouth,  in  November  last,  so 
the  desire  of  them  is,  thut  you  would  endeavor  to  get  convenient 
housing,  fit  to  lodge  as  many  as  you  can,  against  they  do  come ;  and, 
withal,  what  beaver,  or  other  commodities,  or  fish,  if  the  means  to 
preserve  it  can  be  gotten  ready,  to  return  in  the  aforesaid  ships. 
And  likewise  wood,  if  no  better  lading  be  to  be  had;  that  you 
would  endeavor  to  get  in  a  readiness  what  you  can,  whereby  our 
ships,  whereof  two  are  to  return  back  directly  hither,  may  not  come 
wholly  empty.  There  hath  not  been  a  better  time  for  sale  of  timber 
these  two  seven  years  than  at  present ;  and,  therefore,  pity  these 
ships  should  come  back  empty,  if  it  might  be  made  ready,  that  they 
need  not  stop  one  day  for  it :  otherwise,  men's  wages  and  victuals, 
together  with  the  ships,  will  quickly  rise  too  high,  if  to  be  rela- 
den  with  wood,  and  that  the  same  be  not  ready  to  put  aboard  as 
soon  as  the  ships  are  discharged  of  their  outward  lading.  I  wish 
also  that  there  be  some  sassafras  and  sassaparilla  sent  us,  as  also 
good  store  of  sumac,  if  there  to  be  had,  as  we  are  informed  there 
is.  The  like  do  I  wish  for  a  ton  weight  at  least  of  silk-grass,  and 
of  aught  else  that  may  be  useful  for  dyeing  or  in  physic ;  to  have 
some  of  each  sent,  and  advice  given  withal  what  store  of  each  to  be 
had  there,  if  vent  may  be  found  here  for  it.  Also,  I  hope  you  will 
have  some  good  sturgeon  in  a  readiness  to  send  us ;  and,  if  it  be 
well  cured,  two  or  three  hundred  thereof  would  help  well  towards 
our  charge.  We  are  very  confident  of  your  best  endeavors  for  the 
general  good ;  and  we  doubt  not  but  God  will  in  mercy  give  a 
blessing  upon  our  labors ;  and  we  trust  you  will  not  be  unmindful 
of  the  main  end  of  our  plantation,  by  endeavoring  to  bring  the 


MATHEW    CRADOCK.  85 

Indians  to  the  knowledge  of  the  gospel,  which  that  it  may  be 
speedier  and  better  effected,  the  earnest  desire  of  our  whole  com- 
pany is,  that  you  have  diligent  and  watchful  eye  over  our  own 
people  ;  that  they  live  unblameable  and  without  reproof,  and  demean 
themselves  justly  and  courteous  towards  the  Indians,  thereby  to 
dniw  them  to  affect  our  persons,  and  consequently  our  religion ;  as 
also  to  endeavor  to  get  some  of  their  children  to  train  up  to  reading, 
and  consequently  to  religion,  while  they  are  young:  herein,  to 
young  or  old,  to  omit  no  good  opportunity  that  may  tend  to  bring 
them  out  of  that  woful  state  and  condition  they  now  are  in  ;  in  which 
case  our  predecessors  in  this  our  land  sometimes  were,  and  but  for 
the  mercy  and  goodness  of  our  good  God  might  have  continued  to 
this  day ;  but  God,  who,  out  of  the  boundless  ocean  of  his  mercy, 
hath  showed  pity  and  compassion  to  our  land,  he  is  all-sufficient  and 
can  bring  this  to  pass  which  we  now  desire  in  that  country  likewise. 
Only  let  us  not  be  wanting  on  our  parts,  now  we  are  called  to  this 
work  of  the  Lord ;  neither,  having  put  our  hands  to  the  plough,  let 
us  look  back,  but  go  on  cheerfully,  and  depend  upon  God  for  a 
blessing  upon  our  labors,  who,  by  weak  instruments,  is  able  (if  he 
see  it  good)  to  bring  glorious  things  to  pass. 

"  Be  of  good  courage,  go  on,  and  do  worthily,  and  the  Lord  pros- 
per your  endeavor. 

u  It  is  fully  resolved,  by  God's  assistance,  to  send  over  two  minis- 
ters, at  the  least,  with  the  ships  now  intended  to  be  sent  thither ; 
but,  for  Mr.  Peters,  he  is  now  in  Holland,  from  whence  his  return 
hither  I  hold  to  be  uncertain.  Those  we  send  shall  all  be  by  the 
approbation  of  Mr.  "White,  of  Dorchester,  and  Mr.  Davenport. 
For  whatsoever  else  you  have  given  advice,  care  shall  be  taken, 
God  willing,  to  perform  the  needful,  as  near  as  we  can,  and  the 
times  will  permit;  whereof,  also,  you  may  expect  more  ample 
advertisement  in  their  general  letter,  when  God  shall  send  our  ships 
thither.  The  course  you  have  taken  in  giving  our  countrymen 
their  content  of  planting  tobacco  there  for  the  present  (their  neces- 
sity considered)  is  not  disallowed ;  but  we  trust  in  God  other  means 
will  be  found  to  employ  their  time  more  comfortable,  and  profitable 
also  in  the  end ;  and  we  cannot  but  generally  approve  and  commend 
their  good  resolution  to  desist  from  the  planting  thereof,  when  as 
they  shall  descern  how  to  employ  their  labors  otherwise,  which  we 
hope  they  will  be  speedily  induced  unto,  by  such  precepts  and 
examples  as  we  shall  give  them.  And  now,  minding  to  conclude 
this,  I  may  not  omit  to  put  you  in  mind,  however  you  seem  to  fear 
no  enemies  there,  yet  that  you  have  a  watchful  eye  for  your  own 
safety,  and  the  safety  of  all  those  of  our  nation  with  you,  and  not 
to  be  too  confident  of  the  fidelity  of  the  savages.  It  is  an  old  pro- 
verb, yet  as  true,  the  burnt  child  dreads  the  fire.  Our  countrymen 
have  suffered  by  their  too  much  confidence  in  Virginia.  Let  us  by 
their  harms  learn  to  beware ;  and  as  we  are  commanded  to  be  in- 
nocent as  doves,  so  withal  we  are  enjoined  to  be  wise  as  serpents. 


86  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

The  God  of  heaven  and  earth  preserve  and  keep  you  from  all 
foreign  and  inland  enemies,  and  bless  and  prosper  this  plantation  to 
the  enlargement  of  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  whose  merciful 
protection  I  commend  you  and  all  your  associates  there,  known  or 
unknown.  And  so,  till  my  next,  which  shall  be  (God  willing)  by 
our  ships,  who  I  make  account  will  be  ready  to  set  sail  from  hence 
about  the  20th  of  this  next  month  of  March,  I  end,  and  rest, 
Your  assured  loving  friend  and  cousin, 

Mathew  Cradock. 
From  my  house  in  Swithin's  Lane,  near  London  Stone,  this  16th 
February,  1628,  stilo  Anglicas. 

The  confidence  felt  by  the  "  Court "  in  Mr.  Cradock's 
judgment  was  evinced  by  putting  him  first  on  that  Commit- 
tee which  was  to  divide  and  apportion  the  lands  in  New 
England,  thus  deciding  how  and  where  the  first  settlements 
should  take  place.  He  did  all  he  could  to  get  the  fleet  in 
readiness  to  sail.  On  the  morning  of  the  29th  March,  1630, 
when  the  vessels  were  lying  at  Cowes,  he  made  a  visit  to  his 
friends,  and  consulted  with  them  on  the  expediency  of  sailing 
on  Easter  Monday.  Hubbard  says  :  "  They  were  advised  so  to 
do  by  Mr.  Cradock  (who  was  that  morning  on  board  the  fAr- 
bella'  ),  the  late  Governor,  and  owner  of  the  two  last  ships." 
Gov. Winthrop  says  :  "  Mr.  Cradock  was  aboard  the  'Arbella.' 
We  came  to  council.  Mr.  Cradock  presently  went  back,  our 
captain  giving  him  three  shots  out  of  the  steerage  for  a  fare- 
well." This  gentleman,  wise,  good,  zealous,  honored,  and 
rich,  may  be  regarded,  before  any  other  individual,  as  the 
Founder  of  Medford.  There  is  no  record  of  settlements 
earlier  than  those  connected  with  him. 

He  was  singularly  cautious  in  selecting  his  wrorkmen^  and 
such  an  extensive  establishment  for  fishing  as  he  designed, 
supposes  many  collateral  branches  of  trade.  In  1631,  his 
agent,  Mr.  Davison,  had  become  so  settled  as  to  build  a  ship 
on  the  bank  of  the  Mystick.  The  place  probably  was  where 
Mr.  Calvin  Turner  built  his  first  ship,  or  at  Rock  Hill. 
Providing  his  fishermen  with  vessels  as  fast  as  possible  must 
have  made  Medford  a  place  of  brisk  trade  and  commercial 
consequence.  These  first  movements  of  Mr.  Cradock  here 
were  in  keeping  with  his  expansive  mind  and  great  wealth. 
We  have  proof  of  his  wide  enterprise  in  the  following 
record:  "Feb.  1,  1634:  Mr.  Cradock's  house  at  Marblehead 
was  burnt  down  about  midnight  before,  there  being  in  it  Mr. 
Allerton  and  many  fishermen,  whom  he  employed  that  season. 


MATHEW    CRADOCK.  87 

Mr.  Allerton  fished  with  eight  boats."  Jossylyn  speaks  of 
Mr.  Cradock's  plantation,  in  1638,  "  on  the  west  of  Mystick 
River,  where  he  has  impaled  a  park ; "  unquestionably  the 
first  park  for  deer  impaled  in  this  country. 

In  1630,  Mr.  Cradock  provides  a  man  (Richard  Water- 
man), "whose  chief  employment,"  he  says  to  his  men  at 
Medfordj  "  will  be  to  get  you  good  venison."  The  Company 
in  England  say  (April  17,  1629),  "William  Ryall  and 
Thomas  Brude,  coopers  and  cleavers  of  timber,  are  enter- 
tained by  us  in  halves  with  Mr.  Cradock,  our  Governor." 

To  express  their  sense  of  the  value  of  Mr.  Cradock's  ser- 
vices for  the  Colony,  the  General  Court,  held  at  Newton, 
March  4,  1634,  make  him  a  grant  of  land  in  the  following 
words  :  "  All  the  ground,  as  well  upland  as  meadow,  lying 
and  being  betwixt  the  land  of  Mr.  Nowell  and  Mr.  Wilson 
on  the  east,  and  the  partition  betwixt  Mistick  bounds  on  the 
west,  bounded  with  Mistick  River  on  the  south,  and  the 
Rocks  on  the  north,  is  granted  to  Mr.  Mathew  Cradock, 
merchant,  to  enjoy  to  him  and  his  heirs  for  ever." 

Some  of  the  earliest  grants  of  land  were  made  before  any 
boundary  lines  of  towns  were  fixed. 

"March  3,  1635  :  Ordered  that  the  land  formerly  granted 
to  Mr.  Cradock,  merchant,  shall  extend  one  mile  into  the 
country  from  the  river-side  in  all  places."  This  tract  is  sup- 
posed to  have  embraced  three  thousand  five  hundred  acres. 

In  proof  of  this  gentleman's  profound  attachment  to  the 
Puritan  enterprise,  we  will  here  quote  a  few  sentences  from 
the  "  First  Letter  of  the  Governor  and  Deputy  of  the  New 
England  Company  for  a  Plantation  in  Massachusetts  Bay,  to 
the  Governor  and  Council  for  London's  Plantation  in  the 
Massachusetts  Bay,  in  New  England."  April  17,  1629: 
Many  men  and  various  articles  for  trade  and  use  having  been 
sent  from  London,  the  letter  says  :  — 

"  "We  pray  you  give  all  good  accommodation  to  our  present  Go- 
vernor, Mr.  Mathew  Cradock,  who,  with  some  particular  brethren  of 
the  company,  have  deeply  engaged  themselves  in  their  private  ad- 
ventures in  these  ships,  and  those  to  come ;  and  as  we  hold  these 
men,  that  thus  deeply  adventure  in  their  private,  to  be  (under  God) 
special  instruments  for  the  advancing  and  strengthening  of  the 
plantation,  which  is  done  by  them  without  any  charge  to  the  com- 
pany's general  stock,  wherein,  notwithstanding,  they  are  as  deep  or 
deeper  engaged  than  any  other! 

"  We  have  sent  six  shipwrights,  of  whom   Robert  Moulton  is 


08  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

chief.  These  men's  entertainment  is  very  chargeable  to  us  ;  and  by 
agreement  it  is  to  be  borne  two-thirds  at  the  charge  of  the  general 
company,  and  the  other  one-third  is  to  be  borne  by  Mr.  Cradock, 
our  Governor,  and  his  associates  interested  in  a  private  stock.  We 
hope  you  will  be  careful  to  see  them  so  employed  as  may  counter- 
vail the  charge,  desiring  you  to  agree  with  Mr.  Sharp  that  their 
labor  may  be  employed  two-thirds  for  the  general  company,  and  one- 
third  for  Mr.  Cradock  and  his  associates ;  praying  you  to  accom- 
modate said  Mr.  Cradock's  people  in  all  fitting  manner,  as  he  doth 
well  deserve. 

"  Our  Governor,  Mr.  Cradock,  hath  entertained  (paid  the  expenses 
of)  two  gardeners,  one  of  which  he  is  content  the  company  shall 
have  use  of,  if  need  be." 

In  a  second  letter,  from  the  same  source,  directed  to  trie 
same  persons,  under  date  of  May  28,  1629,  we  find  the  fol- 
lowing statements  :  — 

"  The  cattle  now  and  formerly  sent  have  been  all  pi'ovided  by  the 
Governor,  Mr.  Cradock,  except  the  three  mares  that  came  out  of 
Leicestershire. 

"  The  provisions  for  building  of  ships,  as  pitch,  tar,  rosin,  oakum, 
old  ropes  for  oakum,  cordage,  and  sail-cloth,  in  all  these  ships,  with 
nine  firkins  and  five  half-barrels  of  nails  in  the  '  Two  Sisters,'  are 
two-thirds  for  the  company  in  general,  and  one-third  for  the  Go- 
vernor, Mr.  Cradock,  and  his  partners ;  as  is  also  the  charge  of  one 
George  Farr,  now  sent  over  to  the  six  shipwrights  formerly  sent." 

These  extracts  show  the  deep  enthusiasm  of  Mr.  Cradock 
in  the  New  England  enterprise.  He  went  into  it  heart  and 
purse.  He  adopted  Medford  as  his  head-quarters  ;  and  here 
he  made  his  first  settlement,  here  opened  his  business  of 
ship-building  and  fishing,  and  here  placed  an  agent  to-  exe- 
cute his  plans.  The  most  sagacious  and  wealthy  merchant  of 
the  company  could  not  have  made  a  wiser  choice.  To  Med- 
ford he  directed  his  thoughts,  in  Medford  he  expended  his 
money,  and  for  the  prosperity  of  Medford  he  devoutly  prayed. 
Our  infant  town  could  not  have  had  a  better  father. 

He  may  have  first  stopped  opposite  Winthrop's  farm,  at 
Ten  Hills,  and  there  done  something  in  the  fishing  business  ; 
but  we  very  soon  find  him,  by  his  agent,  engaged  in  building 
a  bridge  across  Mistick  River,  at  the  place  where  "the  great 
bridge  "  now  stands.  There  could  have  been  no  motive  for 
his  building  such  a  bridge,  at  such  a  time,  and  at  his  own 
expense,  unless  his  men  and  business  were  in  that  neighbor- 
hood.    That  his  operations  were  not  confined  to  one  spot 


MATHEW    CRADOCK.  89 

appears  from  the  fact  that  he  had  a  fishing  establishment  "  at 
Agawam,  by  Merrimack,"  where,  Aug.  8,  1631,  some  hostile 
Indians  "  rifle  the  wigwam  where  Mr.  Cradock's  men  kept  to 
catch  sturgeons,  taking  away  their  nets,  biskets,  &c."  In  the 
records  of  the  General  Court,  held  at  Bdston,  Nov.  7,  1632, 
we  have  the  following  record :  "  Mr.  Mathew  Cradock  is 
fined  =£4  for  his  men  being  absent  from  training  divers  times." 
This  was  remitted,  probably  on  account  of  the  impossibility 
in  a  fisherman  of  being  on  shore  at  any  given  period. 

At  a  General  Court  held  at  Boston,  March  4,  1633,  the 
following  grant  was  made  :  "  The  Wear  at  Mistick  is  granted 
to  John  Winthrop,  Esq.,  present  Governor,  and  to  Mr.  Mathew 
Cradock,  of  London,  to  enjoy  to  them  and  their  heirs  for 
ever." 

March  3,  1635  :  In  General  Court.  —  "Ordered  that  there 
shall  be  £55  paid  to  Mr.  Cradock." 

March  26,  1638:  "There  is  a  grant  of  a  thousand  acres 
of  land  granted  to  Mr.  Mathew  Cradock,  where  it  may  be 
had  without  prejudice  to  any  plantation  or  former  grants,  in 
the  judgment  of  the  Court.  Also  there  is  granted  to  Mr. 
Cradock  five  hundred  acres  of  land  more  for  such  servants  as 
he  shall  appoint  it  unto,  twenty  miles  from  any  plantation, 
without  prejudice  to  any  plantation." 

June  2,  1641:  "Mr.  Thomas  Mayhew  and  Mr.  Joseph 
Cooke  appointed  to  set  out  the  five  hundred  acres  of  Mr. 
Oldham's  for  Mr.  Cradock  near  Mount  Feake." 

On  the  same  day,  "  Voted  that  Mr.  Cradock's  rates  should 
be  forborne  till  the  next  ship  come,  and  then  it  is  referred  to 
Mr.  Stoughton  and  Mr.  Hawthorne  to  consider  and  give  order 
in  it." 

The  reader  may  now  be  referred  to  what  is  said  concerning 
Mr.  Cradock's  agency  in  building  the  first  bridge  over  Mis- 
tick  River ;  and,  putting  those  facts  with  these  here  stated, 
we  come  at  the  conclusion  that  Medford  should  cherish  with 
gratitude  the  memory  of  one  who  opened  here  a  new  and 
extensive  trade,  who  sent  over  many  men  as  laborers  in  ship- 
building and  fishing,  who  conjured  all  to  treat  the  Indians 
with  tenderness  and  generosity,  and  who,  in  the  letter  of 
April  IT,  1629,  speaks  of  the  settlement  of  families  here  in 
these  terms :  — 

"  Our  earnest  desire  is,  that  you  take  special  care  in  settling  these 
families,  that  the  chief  in  the  family  (at  least  some  of  them)  be 
12 


90  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

grounded  in  religion,  whereby  morning  and  evening  family  duties 
may  be  duly  performed,  and  a  watchful  eye  held  over  all  in  each 
family,  by  one  or  more  in  each  family  to  be  appointed  thereto,  that 
so  disorders  may  be  prevented,  and  ill  weeds  nipt  before  they  take 
too  great  a  head." 

In  the  same  letter  we  find  the  following :  — 

"  Above  all,  we  pray  you  be  careful  there  be  none  in  our  pre- 
cincts permitted  to  do  any  injury  (in  the  least  kind)  to  the  heathen 
people ;  and,  if  any  offend  in  that  way,  let  them  receive  due  cor- 
rection. If  any  of  the  savages  pretend  right  of  inheritance  to  all 
or  any  part  of  the  lands  granted  in  our  patent,  we  pray  you  endea- 
vor to  purchase  their  title,  that  we  may  avoid  the  least  scruple  of 
intrusion." 

We  know  of  only  one  relative  of  Mr.  Cradock  who  came 
to  this  country,  and  his  name  was  George  Cradock,  mentioned 
by  Douglas  and  Hutchinson  as  an  inhabitant  of  Boston. 

We  cannot  better  close  the  notice  of  Medford's  founder 
and  friend  than  by  giving  a  copy  of  his  Will,  which  has 
never  till  now  been  printed  :  — 

"  Last  Will  and  Testament  of  Mathew  Cradock. 

"I,  Mathew  Cradock,  of  London,  merchant,  being  in  perfect 
memory  and  bodily  health,  —  thanks  be  given  to  God  therefor,  — 
do  hereby  make  and  ordain  this  my  last  Will  and  Testament  in 
manner  and  form  following ;  that  is  to  say,  — 

"  I  bequeath  my  soul  into  the  hands  of  the  Almighty  God,  trust- 
ing, by  the  merits  of  the  death  and  passion  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  only,  to  obtain  remission  of  all  my  sins.  My  body,  when  it 
shall  please  God  to  separate  it  from  my  soul,  I  recommend  4*0  the 
earth,  in  assured  confidence  of  a  glorious  resurrection  at  the  great 
and  dreadful  day  of  judgment.    ■ 

"  As  to  my  outward  estate,  wherewith  God  of  his  goodness  hath 
endowed  me,  I  have  ever  accounted  myself  but  a  steward  thereof; 
therefore  humbly  entreat  the  Almighty  to  enable  me  so  to  demean 
myself  in  disposing  thereof  as  that  I  may,  through  his  mercy  in  the 
merits  of  Christ,  be  always  prepared  to  give  a  comfortable  account 
of  my  stewardship. 

"  I  do  hereby  order,  in  the  first  place,  that  all  sure  debts  as  are, 
any  manner  of  way,  justly  due  and  owing  to  any  person  whatsoever, 
be  truly  and  fully  satisfied  and  paid :  the  accounts  of  the  widow  of 
Stephen  Benister,  late  of  London,  cloth-worker,  deceased,  that  the 
same  be  answered  and  (committed)  to  the  use  of  my  executors  ;  and 
for  dealing  with  one  Henry  Colthirst,  if  Mr.  Pennoyde,  who  is  best 
acquainted  with  the  business,  see  it  to  be  due,  which  is  challenged, 


MATHEW    CRADOCK. 


91 


I  order  it  to  be  answered  with  consideration  for  the  time,  all  just 
debts  paid.  The  remainder  of  my  estate  I  give  and  bequeath  as 
fblloweth :  — 

"To  the  poor  of  the  parish  of  St.  Peter's,  the  poor  in  Broad 
Street,  where  I  served  my  apprenticeship,  forty  pounds  sterling;  to 
the  poor  of  St.  Swithin's,  where  I  dwelled,  one  hundred  pounds,  to 
be  employed  as  a  stock  for  their  use,  and  the  benefit  thereof  to  be 
distributed  yearly  at  the  discretion  of  the  greater  number  in  the 
vestry.  This  to  be  taken  out  of  the  third  part  of  my  estate,  which, 
by  the  custom  of  the  city  of  London,  is  at  my  own  disposing. 

"  One  third  part  of  my  whole  clear  estate,  my  debts  being  paid 
and  satisfied,  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  precious,  dear,  and  loving 
wife,  Rebeccah  Cradock ;  one  other  third  part  of  my  estate,  accord- 
ing to  the  ancient  custom  of  the  city  of  London,  I  do  give  to  my 
daughter,  Damaris,  and  to  such  other  child  or  children  as  it  shall 
please  God  to  give  me  by  my  wife,  Rebeccah.  Moreover,  I  do  give 
and  bequeath  to  my  said  dear  and  loving  wife  all  my  household 
stutf  and  plate  at  my  house  in  London,  where  I  dwell,  .arid  at  a 
house  I  hold  at  Ruinford,  in  Essex,  as  also  the  lease  of  my  dwell- 
ing-house in  London.  Only,  out  of  my  plate  and  household  stuff 
aforesaid,  I  give  to  my  said  daughter,  Damaris,  to  the  value  of  fifty 
pounds,  in  such  particulars  as  my  said  wife  shall  order  and  appoint 
the  same.  Moreover,  I  do  give  to  my  loving  wife  aforesaid,  to  be 
by  her  enjoyed  during  her  natural  life,  the  one-half  of  all  the  estate 
I  now  have  or  shall  have  in  New  England,  in  America,  at  the  time 
of  my  decease ;  and,  after  the  decease  of  my  wife  as  aforesaid,  I 
do  give  and  bequeath  the  moiety  of  my  movables  and  immova- 
bles hereby  intended  to  be  enjoyed  by  my  wife  during  her  natural 
life,  unto  my  brother,  Samuel  Cradock,  and  his  heirs  male.  And, 
for  the  other  moiety  of  my  estate  in  New  England  aforesaid,  I 
hereby  give  and  bequeath  the  same  to  my  daughter  Damaris,  and 
the  issue  of  her  body,  to  be  lawfully  begotten  ;  and,  for  want  of  such 
issue,  to  my  said  brother  Samuel,  and  his  heirs  male  aforesaid.  And 
my  will  is,  that  when  my  wife  shall  marry,  that  in  such  case  her  then 
intended  husband,  before  their  marriage,  shall  become  bound  to  my 
said  brother  and  his  heirs  in  five  thousand  pounds  of  lawful  money 
of  England  not  to  sell  away  or  alienate  any  part  of  the  moiety  of 
my  lands  hereby  intended  and  bequeathed  to  my  wife,  and  subse- 
quently to  him,  during  her  natural  life,  and  that  he  shall  have  at  the 
time  of  her  decease  in  personal  estate  therefor  my  brother  and  his 
heirs  to  enjoy  after  the  decease  of  my  said  wife  at  least  for  the  full 
value  of  five  hundred  pounds  sterling  in  movable  goods.  And 
whosoever  shall  marry  my  daughter  Damaris,  I  do  hereby  will  and 
order,  that,  before  marriage,  he  likewise  shall  enter  into  like  bond, 
with  the  like  covenants  and  conditions;  in  case  my  said  daughter 
depart  this  life  without  issue,  or  either  of  the  parties  before  mentioned, 
both  or  either  of  them,  hereby  enjoined  to  seal  the  said  several 
bond,  which  shall  refuse  or  neglect  to  do  the  same,  or  to  deliver  the 


92  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


said  bond  or  bonds  to  my  brother  or  his  heirs  then  being,  in  legal 
and  lawful  manner,  I  do  hereby  declare,  that,  immediately  from  and 
after  such  marriage  respectively,  the  moiety  of  the  estate  hereby 
intended  to  the  party  so  marrying,  and  not  giving  the  bond  as  afore- 
said, shall  be,  and  I  do  hereby  bequeath  the  same  to  my  said  brother 
Samuel  and  his  heirs,  any  thing  before  mentioned  to  the  contrary 
notwithstanding. 

"  Moreover,  I  do  give  to  my  brother,  Samuel  Cradock,  and  my 
sister,  his  wife,  five  hundred  pounds ;  and  to  every  one  of  the 
children  of  my  said  brother  I  do  give  one  hundred  pounds.  More- 
over, to  his  son  Samuel,  now  student  in  Emanuel,  in  Cambridge,  I 
do  give  for  his  maintenance  for  three  years  forty  pounds  per  annum  ; 
and  to  his  son  Mathew,  for  his  better  preferment,  whereby  to  place 
him  with  an  able  merchant,  two  hundred  pounds.  And  I  do  give 
twenty  pounds  yearly  to  my  said  brother  Samuel  towards  the 
maintenance  of  my  brother  and  sister  Sawyer ;  and  to  my  sister, 
after  the  decease  of  her  husband,  I  do  give  two  hundred  pounds. 
Item :  To  Dorothy  Sawyer,  daughter  to  my  said  sister  Sawyer,  I 
give,  for  her  better  preferment,  in  case  she  will  be  advised  by  my 
wife  in  her  marriage,  two  hundred  pounds ;  and  to  the  rest  of  my 
sister  Sawyer's  children  I  do  give  to  every  of  them  fifty  pounds. 
To  my  maid-servants  five  pounds  every  of  them.  Item  :  To  my  part- 
ners that  ventured  with  me  and  were  my  servants  and  party-venturers 
in  the  East-land  trade,  namely,  to  Thomas  Hodlow  and  Edward 
Lewis,  six  hundred  pounds  apiece,  if  they  accept  of  it  for  their 
part,  and  declare  themselves  willing  thereunto  within  three  months 
after  the  publishing  of  this  my  Will,  or  else  to  have  their  several 
equal  one-eighth  part  of  the  clear  profits  of  the  trade  aforesaid, 
from  the  time  that  I  promised  the  same,  till  the  amount  for  the 
same  shall  be  perfected,  which  is  to  be  done  by  their  help  and 
endeavors.  Item :  I  do  desire  and  entreat  Mr.  William  Corbine  to 
assist  my  wife  aforesaid,  whom  I  make  sole  executor  of  this  my  last 
Will  and  Testament,  to  get  in  my  estate,  and  to  see  my  debts  paid 
and  my  Will  performed. 

"  Given  as  my  act,  last  Will,  and  Testament,  this  9th  day  of 
November,  1640.  "Mathew  Cradock. 

"  Witness  hereto :  Edward  Lewis,  William  Alney,  Richard  Howell. 

"  Entered  and  recorded  the  12th  of  February,  1662,  by 

"  Thomas  Danforth, 

"  Recorder." 

This  will  of  Mr.  Cradock  sounds  somewhat  peculiar  in 
our  ears ;  and  we  presume  it  is  not  a  fair  specimen  of  that 
legal  precision  in  words  so  necessary  then  in  such  a  docu- 
ment. To  give  six  hundred  pounds  to  each  of  his  partners 
in  a  land  speculation  was  a  new  way  of  settling  an  outstand- 


CIVIL    HISTORY.  93 

ing  account.  We  cannot  too  much  admire  trie  wise  and 
Christian  provision  he  makes  for  his  wife.  When  a  husband, 
by  his  Will,  dooms  the  mother  of  his  children  to  comparative 
poverty,  he  is  guilty  of  a  most  brutal  baseness.  A  crime 
kindred  to  this  is  that  of  a  father  who,  by  his  Will,  plunges 
his  unmarried  daughters  into  a  situation  of  dependence 
and  want,  for  which  he  has  not  prepared  them,  and  in 
which  they  must  suffer  through  life.  We  do  not  learn  from 
Mr.  Cradock's  Will  how  extensive  his  territorial  property  in 
Medford  was,  or  what  was  the  amount  of  his  whole  invest- 
ment here.  After  his  death,  a  part  of  his  farm  in  Medford 
was  sold  to  Mr.  Ed.  Collins,  who  pays  to  Mrs.  Cradock  £120, 
to  Samuel  Cradock  and  Sons  £100,  and  to  Damaris  Cradock 
and  her  husband  £230.  The  condition  attached  to  his  be- 
quest to  his  niece,  Miss  Dorothy  Sawyer,  is  proof  that  he  had 
a  wise-judging  wife,  and  that  said  wife  had  a  provident 
husband. 

There  is  no  record  of  Mr.  Cradock's  last  illness  or  death 
known  to  us.  It  is  presumed  he  died  in  1644 ;  because,  in 
our  county  registry,  deeds  are  found  in  that  year  from  his 
agent,  and  in  the  next  year  from  the  agents  of  his  executors. 


CHAPTER    III. 


CIVIL  HISTORY. 


When  the  Europeans  took  possession  of  North  America,  by 
the  right  of  discovery,  their  entry  of  lands,  countries,  and 
continents  was  deemed  by  them  as  legal  ownership  for  their 
sovereign.  The  discoveries  of  John  and  Sebastian  Cabot, 
Bartholomew  Gosnold,  and  others,  were  understood  to  give 
to  James  I.,  of  England,  the  coasts  and  country  of  New 
England.  ^  The  king  accordingly  claimed,  in  the  eighteenth 
year  of  his  reign,  the  entire  continent  between  the  Atlantic 
and  Pacific  Oceans.  In  that  same  year,  he  granted  to  "  the 
Council  of  Plymouth,  in  the  county  of  Devon,  for  the 
planting,  ruling,  ordering,  and  governing  of  New  England, 


94  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

in  America,"  "all  that  part  of  America  lying  and  being  in 
breadth  from  forty  degrees  to  forty-eight  degrees  of  north 
latitude,  and  in  length  of  and  within  all  the  breadth  afore- 
said throughout  the  mainland,  from  sea  to  sea,"  —  "to  be 
holden  of  him,  his  heirs,  and  successors,  as  of  his  manor  of 
East  Greenwich,  in  the  county  of  Kent,  in  free  and  common 
sockage,  and  not  in  capite,  nor  by  knight's  service ; "  the 
grantees  "  yielding  and  paying  therefor  the  fifth  part  of  the 
ore  of  gold  and  silver  which  should  happen  to  be  found  in 
any  of  the  said  lands." 

Medford  was  included  in  the  territory  granted,  Dec.  30, 
1622,  by  the  Plymouth  Company  to  Robert  Gorges.  It  was 
the  tract  "  commonly  called  or  known  by  the  name  of  the 
Messachusiack,"  lying  "  upon  the  north-east  side  of  the  bay, 
called  or  known  by  the  name  of  the  Messachusett."  It 
extended  "  ten  English  miles  towards  the  north-east,  and 
thirty  English  miles  unto  the  main  land,  through  all  the 
breadth  aforesaid." 

Hutchinson  says  that  this  grant,  being  loose  and  uncertain, 
was  never  used. 

March  19,  1628 :  The  Council  of  Plymouth,  under  their 
common  seal,  by  a  deed  indented,  granted  and  sold  to  Sir 
Henry  Roswell  and  five  others  "  all  that  part  of  New  Eng- 
land, in  America,  which  lies  and  extends  between  a  great 
river  there,  commonly  called  Monomack  (Merrimack),  and  a 
certain  other  river  there,  called  Charles  ;  being  in  the  bottom 
of  a  certain  bay  there,  commonly  called  Massachusetts." 

These  are  the  first  grants,  under  legal  authority,  of  the 
territory  within  which  Medford  stands.  The  Council  also 
sold  "  all  the  lands  being  within  the  space  of  three  English 
miles  on  the  south  of  Charles  River  and  Massachusetts  Bay, 
and  within  the  same  space  on  the  north  of  the  river  Mono- 
mack,  and  of  all  parts  of  said  rivers  and  bay,  and  from  the 
Atlantic  Ocean  on  the  east  to  the  Pacific  Ocean  on  the  west." 
"  Upon  the  petition  of  said  Henry  Roswell  and  five  others, 
and  their  associates,  twenty  in  number,  to  have  and  to  hold  to 
them,  &c,  by  the  same  tenure,  and  incorporated  them  by  the 
name  of  ;  The  Governor  and  Company  of  the  Massachusetts 
Bay  in  New  England." 

Holding  under  these  grants  and  by  these  titles,  the  Go- 
vernor and  Company  of  Massachusetts  Bay  made  grants  of 
lands  to  companies  and  individuals  for  towns  and  plantations, 
usually  annexing  certain  conditions  to  their  grants ;  6uch  as, 


CIVIL   HISTORY.  95 

that  a  certain  number  of  settlers  or  families  should,  within  a 
stated  time,  build  and  settle  upon  the  same ;  or  that  the 
gospel  should  be  regularly  preached,  or  a  church  gathered 
upon  the  granted  premises.  In  this  manner,  forty-four  towns 
•were  constituted  and  established  within  the  Plymouth  and 
Massachusetts  Colonies  before  the  year  1655,  without  any 
more  formal  act  of  incorporation.  Among  the  oldest  are  the 
following:  Plymouth,  1620;  Salem,  1629;  Charlestown, 
1629;  Boston,  1630;  Medford  or  Mystic,  1630;  Water- 
town.  1630  ;  Roxbury,  1630  ;  Dorchester,  1630  ;  Cambridge 
or  Newton,  1633  ;  Ipswich',  1634 ;  Concord,  1635  ;  Hing- 
ham,  1635;  Newbury,  1635;  Scituate,  1636;  Springfield, 
1636;  Duxbury,  1637;  Lynn,  1637;  Barnstable,  1639; 
Taunton,  1639;  Woburn,  1642;  Maiden,  1649. 

London,  May  22,  1629:  On  this  day  "the  orders  for 
establishing  a  government  and  officers  in  Massachusetts  Bay 
passed,  and  said  orders  were  sent  to  New  England." 

Although,  in  the  first  settlement  of  New  England,  differ- 
ent sections  of  country  were  owned  and  controlled  by 
"  Companies  "  in  England,  yet  the  people  here  claimed  and 
exercised  a  corporate  power  in  the  elections  of  their  rulers 
and  magistrates.     This  was  the  case  with  Medford. 

To  show  what  form  of  government  our  ancestors  in  Med- 
ford recognized  and  supported,  we  subjoin  the  following 
records  :  — 


"Oct.  19,  1630:  First  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  Colony, 
arid  this  at  Boston:  Present,  the  Governor,  Deputy- Governor,  Sir 
Richard  Saltonstall,  Mr.  Ludlow,  Capt.  Endicott,  Mr.  Nowell,  Pyn- 
chon,  Bradstreet.  Since  their  arrival  here,  the  first  form  of  their  go- 
vernment was  that  of  Governor,  Deputy-Governor,  and  Assistants  ; 
the  Patentees  with  their  heirs,  assigns,  and  associates,  being  free- 
men. But  now,  in  this  General  Court,  they  agree  on  a  second  form, 
as  follows  ;  proposed  as  the  best  course :  For  the  freemen  to  have 
the  power  of  choosing  Assistants,  when  they  are  to  be  chosen ;  and 
the  Assistants,  from  among  themselves,  to  choose  the  Governor 
and  Deputy-Governor,  who,  with  the  Assistants,  to  have  the  power 
of  making  laws,  and  choosing  officers  to  execute  the  same.  This  was 
fully  assented  to  by  the  general  vote  of  the  people  and  the  erection 
of  hands." 

May  25,  1636:  Mr.  Bishop,  as  magistrate,  appointed  to 
keep  the  county  court  at  Salem. 

1643:    Massachusetts  Colony  had  thirty  towns,  and  was 


5 


96  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

divided  into  four  counties,  —  Middlesex,  Norfolk,  Suffolk, 
and  Essex. 

1646  :  Selectmen  were  empowered  to  try  causes  in  a  town 
where  the  magistrate  could  not,  or  where  he  was  a  party. 

The  first  mention  of  Medford  in  the  public  records  of  the 
Province  is  the  following  :  — 

"At  a  Court  of  Assistants  at  Charlestown,  28th  Sept.,  1630.  It 
is  ordered  that  there  shall  be  collected  and  raised  by  distress  out  of 
the  several  plantations,  for  the  maintenance  of  Mr.  Patrick  and  Mr. 
Underhill,  the  sum  of  £50,  viz. :  out  of  Charlton,  £7  ;  Boston,  £11 ; 
Dorchester,  £7  ;  Rockbury,  £5  ;  Watertown,  £11  ;  Meadford,  £3  ; 
Salem,  £3;  Wessaguscus,  £2;  Nantascett,  £1." 

It  appears  from  the  records  that  the  inhabitants  of  Med- 
ford did  not  receive  legal  notice  of  their  incorporation  as  a 
town  till  fifty  years  after  the  event.  Wishing  to  be  repre- 
sented in  the  General  Court,  they  petitioned,  for  an  act  of 
incorporation,  and  were  answered,  that  "  the  town  had  been 
incorporated,  along  with  the  other  towns  of  the  province,  by 
a  'general  act '  passed  in  1630;  and,  under  this  'act,'  it  had 
at  any  time  a  right  to  organize  itself  and  choose  a  representa- 
tive without  further  legislation."  Thus  Medford  was  an 
incorporated  town  in  1630.  The  first  representative  was 
Stephen  Willis,  elected  Feb.  25,  1684.  The  annual  meeting 
was  always  held  in  February. 

In  the  absence  of  early  records,  we  are  left  to  conjecture, 
from  what  afterwards  appeared,  what  existed  in  the  earliest 
times.  We  therefore  presume  that  the  first  settlers  of  Med- 
ford did  as  their  neighbors  did ;  that  is,  organized  a  munici- 
pal government,  which  should  have  the  usual  powers  of 
levying  and  collecting  taxes,  opening  and  repairing  roads, 
guarding  the  public  interest,  and  securing  the  common 
peace. 

The  mode  of  "warning  a  town-meeting,"  in  the  early 
times,  may  be  new  to  many  of  our  day.     .It  ran  thus :  — 

"  To  Mr.  Stephen  Hall,  jun.,  Constable  of  Medford,  Greeting : 
You  are  hereby  required,  in  His  Majesty's  name,  to  warn  the  free- 
holders and  other  inhabitants  of  Medford  to  meet  at  their  meeting- 
house, the  first  Monday  of  March  next  ensuing  the  date  hereof,  by 
eight  o'clock  in  the  morning ;  then  and  there  to  choose  a  Constable, 
Selectmen,  Town-clerk,  and  other  town-officers,  as  the  law  directs. 
And  all  persons,  to  whom  the  said  town  is  indebted,  to  bring  in 
their  accounts,  and  lay  the  same  before  the  said  town ;  and  the 


CIVIL    HISTORY.  97 

town-treasurer  for  said  Medford  is  hereby  required  to  give  unto 
said  town,  at  said  meeting,  a  particular  account  of  the  disposing  of 
the  said  town's  money  ;  and  whatsoever  else  may  be  needful,  proper, 
and  necessary,  to  be  discoursed  on  and  determined  of  at  said  meet- 
ing. Hereof  you  may  not  fail,  as  you  will  answer  your  default  at 
the  peril  of  the  law. 

"  Dated,  in  said  Medford,  Feb.  14,  1702,  in  the  fourteenth  year 
of  His  Majesty's  reign. 

"  By  other  of  the  selectmen  of  said  Medford. 

"Jno.  Bradstreet, 

"  Town-clerk." 

Among  the  oldest  records  existing,  we  have  proof  of  what 
we  have  said,  as  follows :  — 

"The  first  Monday  of  February,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1677, 
Goodman  John  Hall  was  chosen  Constable  by  the  inhabitants  of 
Meadford  for  the  year  ensuing.  Joseph  Wade,  John  Hall,  and 
Stephen  Willis,  were  chosen  Selectmen  for  ordering  of  the  affairs  of 
the  plantation  for  the  year  ensuing.  John  Whitmore,  Daniel  Wood- 
ward, Jacob  Chamberlain,  John  Hall,  jun.,  Edward  Walker,  Walter 
Cranston,  Patrick  Hay,  Andrew  Mitchell,  and  Thomas  Fillebrown, 
jun.,  took  the  oath  of  fidelity.  "Joseph  Wade, 

"Town-clerk." 

This  was  probably  the  simple  organization  of  the  civil 
government  of  Medford  soon  after  our  ancestors  found  them- 
selves planted  in  their  new  homes.  A  more  complex  form 
of  municipal  agencies  was  not  needed  ;  especially  as  the  cele- 
brated Rev.  James  Noyes  preached  here  a  year,  and  established 
that  church  discipline  which,  in  those  days,  took  care  of  every 
body  and  every  thing. 

March  8,  1631 :  "  It  is  ordered  that  all  persons  whatsoever 
that  have  cards,  dice,  or  tables,  in  their  houses  shall  make 
away  with  them  before  the  next  Court,  under  pain  of 
punishment." 

April  12,  1631:  "Ordered  that  any  man  that  finds  a 
musket  shall,  before  the  18th  day  of  this  month  (and  so 
always  after),  have  ready  one  pound  powder,  twenty  bullets, 
and  two  fathom  of  match,  under  penalty  of  10s.  for  every 
fault."     Absence  from  public  worship,  5s.  for  each  time. 

To  be  a  freeman  was  a  high  object  with  every  man. 
Several  of  the  inhabitants  of  Medford  took  the  entire  oath, 
and  could  therefore  vote  in  the  election  of  Governor  and 
Assistants.  At  a  session  of  the  General  Court,  May  18, 
1631,  it  was  thus  voted:  — 


y»  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

"  To  the  end  the  body  of  Commons  may  be  preserved  of  honest 
and  good  men,  it  is  likewise  ordered  and  agreed,  that  for  the  time  to 
come  no  man  shall  be  admitted  to  the  freedom  of  this  body  politic 
but  such  as  are  members  of  some  of  the  churches  within  the  limits 
of  the  same." 

"  A  freeman  must  be  orthodox,  a  member  of  the  church, 
twenty  years  old,  and  worth  ,££00."  At  a  later  period, 
March  4,  1645,  the  General  Court  "ordered  that  the  free- 
man's oath  shall  be  given  to  every  man  of  or  above  the  age 
of  sixteen  years  ;  the  clause  for  the  election  of  magistrates 
excepted."  All  the  male  inhabitants  of  Medford  complied 
with  this  law. 

To  know  what  oath  our  fathers  took,  we  subjoin  the  form, 
as  ordained  by  the  General  Court,  May  14,  1634 :  — 

Freeman's    Oath.     "  I, ,  being  by   God's  providence 

an  inhabitant  and  freeman  within  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Common- 
weal, do  freely  acknowledge  myself  to  be  subject  to  the  government 
thereof,  and  therefore  do  here  swear,  by  the  great  and  dreadful 
name  of  the  ever-living  God,  that  I  will  be  true  and  faithful  to 
the  same,  and  will  accordingly  yield  assistance  and  support  there- 
unto, with  my  person  and  estate,  as  in  equity  I  am  bound,  and  will 
also  truly  endeavor  to  maintain  and  preserve  all  the  liberties  and 
privileges  thereof,  submitting  myself  to  the  wholesome  laws  and 
orders  made  and  established  by  the  same ;  and  further,  that  I  will 
not  plot  nor  practise  any  evil  against  it,  nor  consent  to  any  that 
shall  so  do,  but  will  timely  discover  and  reveal  the  same  to  lawful 
authority,  now  here  established,  for  the  speedy  preventing  thereof. 
Moreover,  I  do  solemnly  bind  myself,  in  the  sight  of  God,  that, 
when  I  shall  be  called  to  give  my  voice  touching  any  such  matter 
of  this  state  wherein  freemen  are  to  deal,  I  will  give  my  vote  and 
suffrage  as  I  shall  judge  in  mine  own  conscience  may  best  conduce 
and  tend  to  the  public  weal  of  the  body,  without  respect  of  persons 
or  favor  of  any  man.     So  help  me  God,  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

In  1643,  the  Court  "  ordered,  that  if  any  freeman  shall 
put  in  more  than  one  paper  or  corn  for  the  choice  of  any 
officer,  he  shall  forfeit  £10  for  every  offence;  and  any  man, 
that  is  not  free,  casting  in  any  vote,  shall  forfeit  the  like  sum 
of  £10." 

The  ballots  used  at  elections  were  corns  and  beans :  corns, 
yeas ;  beans,  nays. 

The  conditions  of  voting  in  towns  was  fixed  by  the  Gene- 
ral Court  as  early  as  April    17,   1729.     "Voted  that  no 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


99 


person  but  what  has  been  rated  Is.,  at  least,  to  the  last  pro- 
vince-tax more  than  the  poll-tax,  laid  in  said  town,  shall  be 
admitted  to  vote."  The  constable  seemed  to  be  a  remarkably 
large  part  of  the  executive  head  in  the  early  days. 

At  "General  Court,  held  at  Newtowne,  May  14,  1634, 
Mr.  Thomas  Mayhew  is  entreated  by  the  Court  to  examine 
what  hurt  the  swine  of  Charlestown  hath  done  amongst  the 
Indian  barns  of  corn,  on  the  north  side  of  Mystic ;  and 
accordingly  the  inhabitants  of  Charlestown  promiseth  to  give 
them  satisfaction."  If  tradition  be  true,  porcus  has  long  been 
a  singularly  troublesome  genus  to  our  excellent  neighbors. 

Sept.  3,  1634:  Mr.  Oldham  appointed  "  overseer  of  the 
powder  and  shot  and  all  other  ammunition  for  Medford." 

General  Court,  March  3,  1635  :  — 

"  "Whereas  particular  towns  have  many  things  which  concern 
only  themselves,  and  the  ordering  of  their  own  affairs,  and  dispos- 
ing of  business  in  their  own  town,  it  is  therefore  ordered  that  the 
freemen  of  any  town,  or  the  major  part  of  them,  shall  only  have 
power  to  dispose  of  their  own  lands  and  woods,  with  all  the  privi- 
leges and  appurtenances  of  the  said  towns,  to  grant  lots,  and  make 
such  orders  as  may  concern  the  well  ordering  of  their  own  towns, 
not  repugnant  to  the  laws  and  orders  here  established  by  the 
General  Court ;  as  also  to  lay  mulcts  and  penalties  for  the  breach 
of  these  orders,  and  to  levy  and  distrain  the  same,  not  exceeding 
the  sum  of  £20;  also  to  choose  their  own  particular  officers,  as 
constables,  surveyors  for  the  highways,  and  the  like." 

Sept.  8,  1636 :  The  General  Court  order,  "  that  hereafter 
no  town  in  the  plantation  that  has  not  ten  freemen  resident 
in  it  shall  send  any  deputy  to  the  General  Courts  ;  those 
that  have  above  ten,  and  under  twenty,  not  above  one ;  be- 
twixt twenty  and  forty,  not  above  two ;  and  that  have  above 
forty,  three,  if  they  will,  but  not  more."  This  law  may 
explain  why  Medford  was  so  long  unrepresented  in  the 
General  Court. 

Nov.  5,  1639:  "Ordered  that  every  town  have  liberty, 
from  time  to  time,  to  choose  a  fit  man  to  sell  wine,  to  be 
drank  in  his  house;  provided  that,  if  any  person  shall  be 
made  drunk  in  any  such  house,  or  any  immoderate  drinking 
suffered  there,  the  master  of  the  family  shall  pay  for  every 
such  offence  £5." 

Some  perplexity  and  more  discontent  arose  from  the  fact 
that  the  lands  of  Medford  were  owned  by  non-residents  to 
an  extent  unknown  in  any  other  plantation  of  the  Colony. 


100  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Gifts  of  land,  within  its  boundaries,  had  been  made  by  the 
General  Court  to  Mr.  Cradock,  and  some  perhaps  to  Messrs. 
Wilson  and  Nowell.  If  so,  the  taxes  on  these  lands  were 
paid  by  the  two  last  gentlemen  into  the  treasuries  of  the  towns 
where  they  lived ;  and  therefore  Medford  could  derive  no 
profit  from  them.  This  mode  of  taxation  became  unpopular, 
and  the  General  Court  passed  the  following  law,  June  2, 
1641:  "It  is  ordered,  that  all  farms  that  are  within  the 
bounds  of  any  town  shall  be  of  the  town  in  which  they  lie, 
except  Meadford."  Thus  singularly  distinguished  from  every 
other  town  in  the  Colony,  the  General  Court  afterwards  de- 
clared Medford  "  a  peculiar  town."  Peculiar  it  certainly  was 
in  having  much  of  its  territory  first  owned  by  a  London 
merchant,  and  in  not  being  able  to  tax  all  the  land  within  its 
borders.     The  grant  of  the  General  Court  is  as  follows :  — 

For  the  Ordering  of  Prudentials.  —  "At  a  General  Court  held  at 
Boston,  15th  Oct.  1684,  in  answer  unto  the  petition  of  Messrs. 
Nathaniel  Wade  and  Peter  Tufts,  in  behalf  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Meadford,  the  Court  grants  their  request,  and  declares  that  Mead- 
ford  hath  been,  and  is,  a  peadiar  town,  and  have  power  as  other 
towns  as  to  prudentials." 

To  illustrate  what  direction  the  laws  and  regulations  of 
Medford  must  have  generally  taken,  it  will  be  necessary  to 
know  those  "one  hundred  laws"  established  by  the  General 
Court  in  1641,  and  called  "The  Body  of  Liberties  "  These 
laws  were  drawn  up  by  Rev.  Nathaniel  Ward,  of  Ipswich, 
and  Rev.  John  Cotton,  of  Boston,  as  the  most  competent 
men.  To  show  the  expansion  of  their  minds  and  the  sound- 
ness of  their  hearts,  we  will  give  here  two  or  three  -speci- 
mens of  those  laws  :  — 

"  There  shall  never  be  any  bond  slavery  or  villanage."  —  "  If  any 
good  people  are  flying  from  their  oppressors,  they  shall  be  suc- 
cored."—  "There  shall  be  no  monopolies."  —  "All  deeds  shall  be 
recorded."  —  "No  injunction  shall  be  laid  on  any  church,  church- 
officer,  or  member,  in  point  of  doctrine,  worship,  or  discipline,  for 
substance  or  circumstance."  —  "  In  the  defect  of  a  law  in  any  case, 
the  decision  is  to  be  by  the  word  of  God." 

1650 :  Notwithstanding  the  straightened  condition  of  the 
Colonies,  they  were  doing  a  great  work.  They  were  wiser 
than  they  knew.  By  a  fortunate  neglect  on  the  part  of  the 
mother  country,  these  distant  colonies  were  shaping  their  local 


CIVIL   HISTORY.  101 

politics,  strengthening  their  ancestral  faith,  enforcing  their 
puritan  customs,  and  nursing,  without  knowing  it,  their 
national  independence. 

To  show  that  Medford  had  early  records  of  its  own,  it  is 
only  necessary  to  copy  the  following  vote  of  its  inhabitants, 
Feb.  25,  1683 :  — 

"  Stephen  Willis  was  chosen  to  keep  the  records  for  the  use  of 
the  plantation;"  and,  in  1684,  it  is  ordered,  —  "That  the  select- 
men shall  have  the  Town-book  for  their  use  at  any  of  their  meetings, 
as  they  stand  in  need  of  it,  provided  the  town-book  be  carefully 
returned  to  the  clerk  again." 

Law  processes  were  not  expensive.  In  1685,  Medford 
orders  the  following  payments  :  — 

"  To  Mr.  Nath.  Lyon,  for  the  attachment  and  serving  £0     6     8 
To  entering  the  petition  at  Boston  to  the  General 

Court 026 

For  copy  out  of  the  records 0     0     6 

Caleb  Brooks,  for  serving  the  attachment       •     .     .  0     10 

For  entering  action -.  023 

Stephen  Willis,  for  charge  at  court 0     16" 

Oct.  19,  1686:  S.  "Willis  appointed  to  record  all  births 
and  deaths  occurring  in  Medford. 

As  soon  as  Medford  could  send  a  representative  to  the 
General  Court  it  did  so ;  and  the  first  was  chosen  in  1689. 
The  records  run  thus,  on  the  choice  of  a  representative  "  to 
stand  for  and  represent  them  in  the  Session  or  Sessions  of  the 
General  Court  or  Assembly,  appointed  to  be  begun  and  held 

at  Boston,  on  the day  of  May  next."     £3  voted  for  his 

services. 

April  21,  1693  :  "  The  '  Orders  and  By-laws  '  prepared  for 
Medford  were  discussed,  accepted,  and  '  allowed.'  " 

In  the  election  of  town-officers,  they  only  could  vote  who 
had  taken  the  "  oath  of  fidelity  ;  "  which  oath  was  in  relation 
to  the  town  what  the  "freemen's  oath"  was  in  relation  to 
the  Colony.  It  will  be  seen,  by  the  following  record,  that 
their  town-officers  in  Medford  were  few  :  — 

"March  5,  1694:  Caleb  Brooks  was  chosen  Constable  for  the 
year  ensuing.  Major  Nathaniel  Wade,  Lieutenant  Peter  Tufts, 
and  Stephen  Willis,  were  chosen  Selectmen.  John  Bradshaw  and 
John   Hall,  jun.,  were    chosen    Surveyors   of  highways.     Ensign 


102  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Stephen  Francis  is  chosen  Tything-man.  John  Hall,  sen.,  and 
Lieutenant  Peter  Tufts,  are  chosen  Viewers  of  fences  ;  and  Stephen 
"Willis  is  chosen  Town-clerk." 

Here  are  but  eight  gentlemen  to  fill  all  the  offices,  and  do 
all  the  labor  required  for  one  year !  It  shows  us  how  little 
there  was  to  be  done. 

It  belongs  to  this  history  to  say,  that  Medford  did  not 
flourish  much  after  Mr.  Cradock's  patronage  and  property 
were  withdrawn.  In  1702,  there  seemed  to  have  been  small 
prosperity ;  for,  at  that  time  the  people  say :  "  We,  the  town 
of  Medford,  being  little  and  small,  and  unable  to  carry  on 
public  charges  in  so  comfortable  a  way  as  is  to  be  desired," 
&c.  This  low  condition  induced  the  inhabitants  to  ask 
grants  of  money  or  waste-lands  from  the  government ;  and 
also  to  petition  the  General  Court  to  annex  contiguous  por- 
tions of  Charlestown,  Cambridge,  and  Andover.  One  of 
these  movements  for  benefiting  the  town  took  place  May  10, 
1714,  when  they  voted  to  choose  a  Committee  to  consult 
with  the  selectmen  of  Charlestown,  to  see  if  they  will  con- 
sent to  annex'  "  the  first  division  of  Charlestown  lots  bounded 
on  Medford."  These  aims  are  not  lost  sight  of;  for,  in  1726, 
the  town  chooses  a  Committee  to  petition  Charlestown  on  the 
subject  of  annexing  certain  districts.  The  petitioners  ask 
"  for  some  part  of  Charlestown  adjoining  to  Medford  on  the 
north  side  of  Mystic  River."  May  6th  of  that  year,  they 
chose  another  Committee  to  examine  the  Province  Records, 
and  see  if  Medford  has  any  right  to  land  lying  in  Charlestown ; 
and,  if  so,  to  prosecute  the  same  at  the  town's  expense. 

To  show  our  fathers'  care  for  public  duty,  we  have  the  fol- 
lowing vote,  May  19,  1701:  Voted  "that  Sergeant  Stephen 
Willis  assist  in  the  Committee,  if  his  brother  Thomas  Willis 
should  be  out  of  the  way."  Town-meetings  were  sometimes 
held  in  private  houses,  though  generally  at  the  tavern. 

The  mode  of  collecting  taxes  from  unwilling  debtors  was 
called  "an  outcry  for  payment."  When  a  person  would  not 
pay,  the  constable  was  commanded  to  take  his  goods  and  sell 
them  "  at  an  outcry  for  payment," —  public  auction.  Through- 
out the  entire  early  history  of  our  town,  there  appears  the 
most  jealous  care  taken  with  regard  to  the  disposal  of  money , 
and  the  minute  directions  given  to  public  functionaries, 
respecting  the  smallest  items,  are  most  remarkable. 

March  2,  1702 :  The  town  voted,  for  the  first  time,  to  pay 


CIVIL    HISTOKY.  103 

their   treasurer ;    and   John   Bradstreet  was  chosen,  with  a 
salary  of  10s.  per  annum. 

March  17,  1702  :  We  have  a  singular  instance  of  precision 
of  dates ;  for,  on  this  day,  the  town-clerk  says :  — 

"At  said  meeting  the  town  reckoned  with  Ensign  John  Brad- 
shaw  ;  and  there  was  due  to  him,  upon  the  balance  of  all  accounts, 
both  for  work  done  for  the  town  and  minister's  board,  from  the 
beginning  of  the  world  unto  this  day,  the  sum  of  £16.  16s.  lOd. 
Errors  excepted." 

At  the  March  meeting  the  officers  of  the  town  were 
chosen  ;  and  much  stir  was  there  through  the  village  on  that 
day.     The  result  of  one  of  them  is  thus  recorded  :  — 

"At  a  town-meeting  legally  convened  at  Medford,  March  6th, 
1710,  Lieut.  Stephen  Willis  chosen  Moderator;  Peter  Seccomb 
chosen  Constable ;  Ebenezer  Brooks,  John  Hall,  and  Samuel  Wade, 
Selectmen  ;  John  Whitmore,  jun.,  and  Thomas  Dill,  Surveyors 
of  highways ;  Benjamin  Peirce  and  Isaac  Farwell,  Viewers  of 
fences ;  Ichabod  Peirce  and  John  Albree,  Wood-corders ;  Nath. 
Peirce,  Hog  constable.  At  said  meeting,  Lieut.  Thomas  Willis 
was  chosen  Tything-man  and  Sealer  of  weights  and  measures.  At 
said  meeting,  the  Selectmen  were  chosen  Assessors  for  this  year." 

1711 :  "Voted  that  the  town's  law-book  be  kept  this  year 
at  the  house  of  the  Treasurer,  for  the  use  of  the  town." 

The  town  voted  "  to  prosecute  those  persons  who  had  un- 
lawfully voted  aforetime."  May  7,  1705  :  Stephen  Willis 
was  objected  to,  "  because  he  voted  for  himself."  The  idea 
of  our  forefathers,  touching  taxing  and  voting,  was  this : 
That  no  man  should  be  allowed  to  vote  on  pecuniary  affairs 
who  held  no  pecuniary  interest  in  the  town  in  which  he 
lived.  To  give  a  specimen  of  their  jealous  care,  we  tran- 
scribe the  following.  Twelve  of  the  most  respectable 
inhabitants  of  Medford  addressed  the  following  note  to  the 
Selectmen :  — 

"March  3,  1718. —  Gentlemen:  Our  desire  and  petition  to  you 
is,  that  our  town-meeting  may  be  regulated  according  to  law ;  for 
we  know  that  those  men  that  made  the  law  were  wiser  than  we 
are,  and  therefore  we,  the  subscribers,  will  by  no  means  be  the 
breakers  of  the  same ;  and  therefore,  if  our  town-meeting  be  not 
regulated  according  to  law,  we  must  enter  this  as  our  dissent 
against  it." 


104  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

This  vote  will  receive  its  explanation  from  the  reply  of 
the  selectmen,  which  was  as  follows  :  — 

"  In  answer  to  the  desire  and  request  of  some  of  our  inhabitants, 
that  our  town-meeting  may  be  regulated  according  to  law,  we,  the 
subscribers,  have  openly  declared,  at  said  meeting,  that  those  of  our 
inhabitants,  and  only  those,  that  are  worth  or  have  in  possession  to 
the  value  of  £20,  ratable  estate,  may  vote  at  said  meeting." 

1718  :  The  new  names  found  in  the  lists  are  as  follows: 
Francis  Laithe,  Joseph  Serjant,  John  Chadson,  John  Goold, 
William  Manson,  Peter  Edes,  Joseph  Ballard,  John  Choub, 
Aaron  Cleveland,  William  Wicker,  Jonathan  Tompson,  Mr. 
Semer,  John  Watson,  Thomas  Sanders,  Luke  Blashfield, 
Nath.  Laurans,  Samuel  Haeson,  Abram  Cumins,  Nath.  Locke, 
John  Winship,  John  Whiten. 

May  12,  1718:  Medford  voted  "to  petition  the  General 
Court  for  some  out-lands  for  the  further  benefit  of  the 
town." 

1721 :  The  General  Court  gave  the  town  £160,  on  their 
application  for  aid ;  and  the  town  voted  to  loan  it  out  to  the 
inhabitants  in  sums  not  exceeding  £10,  nor  less  than  £5,  to 
any  one  person ;  interest,  five  per  cent. 

April  25,  1728 :  "  Voted  that  the  town  of  Medford  will 
take  out  of  the  County  Treasury  their  part  of  the  sixty 
thousand  pounds  granted  by  the  Great  and  General  Court." 

Oct.  27,  1727  :  The  number  of  voters  present  at  a  town- 
meeting  was  forty-five ;  a  fair  average.  They  vote  not  to 
send  a  representative  this  year. 

The  love  of  office  was  cold  in  the  hearts  of  our  fathers, 
compared  with  the  burning  desire  for  it  in  our  day.  It  was 
so  common  to  refuse  even  the  highest  offices,  that  penalty 
for  refusing  became  necessary,  and  our  records  are  full  of 
such  notices  as  the  following  :  — 

1728  :  "  Mr.  Peter  Tufts,  refusing  to  take  the  office  of  Constable, 
paid  in  his  money,  as  the  law  directs,  to  the  town-treasury." 

At  a  later  period  (1751),  the  town  voted,  that  if  any  one 
refused  to  take  the  office  to  which  he  had  been  elected,  he 
should  pay  into  the  treasury  £1.  6s.  8d.,  lawful  money.  In 
1632,  the  people  of  Plymouth  enact,  "that  whoever  refuses 


CIVIL    HISTOKY.  105 

the  office  of  Governor  shall  pay  £20,  unless  he  was   chose 
two  years  going." 

Feb.  9,  1729 :  The  inhabitants  of  Medford  took  a  deep 
interest  in  supporting  the  rights  secured  by  the  Charter ;  and 
readily  paid  their  share  in  supporting  agents.  On  this  day 
they  voted  to  carry  round  a  subscription-paper  to  see  how 
each  one  will  subscribe  "for  the  support  of  our  agents  in 
England.  They  gave  some  of  the  earliest  expressions  of 
enlightened  patriotism,  and  presented  some  of  the  firmest 
resistance  to  the  encroachments  of  royal  authority.  On  the 
81st  of  January,  1732,  voted  that  "it  was  declared  bv  the 
inhabitants  that  it  was  their  desire  that  their  representative 
should  at  all  times  act  with  the  greatest  caution,  and  stand 
tor  the  defence  of  the  privileges  granted  us  by  his  Majesty 
in  the  royal  Charter."  J      J 

1726 :  The  town  presented  a  petition  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Cnarlestown,  praying  that  the  lands  on  the  north  side  of 
Mystic  River  might  be  set  off  to  Medford.  This  was  em- 
phatically refused. 

1738 :  Another  petition,  of  the  same  import  as  that  above 
received  the  same  reply.  ' 

June  19,  1734:  Voted  that  "the  town  petition  the  Great 
and  General  Court  for  a  tract  of  the  unappropriated  lands 
ot  this  Province,  to  enable  the  said  town  of  Medford  the 
better  to  support  the  ministry  and  the  school  in  said  town  " 
A  record  ot  the  reply  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  At  a  Great  and  General  Court  or  Assembly  for  his  Majesty's 
Province  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  in  New  England,  begun  and  held 
at  Boston,  upon  Wednesday,  the  28th  of  May,  1735,  and  continued 
followln™—  J°Urnments  t0  Wednesday,  the  19th  of  November 

ArZlfl^T  1735:  uA  Pfiti0n  °f  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of 
anv  in  th  P°Wlng  that,the  Said  t0Wn  is  0f  the  smalIest  extent  of 
thYt  W      p.ro™ce,  and  yet  their  town-charges  extremely  high,  so 

hem  and'th1  TanCe  °f-  "T^  and  Sch°o1  is  ^  chargeable'  o 
o    U  e  Pro  inl°^  fT*™*  *"■  *  ^  °f  S°me  °f  the  Wa*te  lands 

l?^^ZZ^lZ7*d  for  the  support  of  the  minist^ 

"  In  the  House  of  Representatives,  read  and  ordered  that  the 
prayer  of  the  petition  be  so  far  granted  as  that  the  town  of  Med! 

m  n'on  oath"  fo  r"  ^  7*"™**  b^  a  Sur^or  and  <*■*. 
ni  '.  TV7  uani  Ia?  0ut  one  thousand  acres  of  the 
unappropriated  lands  of  the  Province,  and  return  a  plat  thereof  to 

14 
\ 


106 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


this   Court,  within  twelve   months,   for  confirmation  for  the  uses 
within  mentioned. 

"  In  Council,  read  and  concurred.  —  Dec.  29th  :  Consented  to, 

"J.  Belcher. 
"  A  true  copy,  examined, 

"Thade.  Mason, 

"  Deputy-Secretary." 

This  grant  was  accepted ;  and  Mr.  Win.  Willis  and  Capt. 
John  Hall  were  chosen  to  carry  the  whole  matter  through. 
The  consequence  was  a  selection  of  one  thousand  acres  on 
the  Piscataqua  River,  near  the  Merrimac.  This  tract  was 
called  the  "  Town's  Farm  ; "  but  it  was  not  of  great  value. 

Dec.  3,  1737  :  Here  we  find  the  first  record  of  the  drawing 
of  jurymen  in  the  town.  John  Albree  and  Benjamin  Tufts 
are  drawn  for  the  Supreme  Court.  •  Few  jurymen  were 
needed ;  but  Medford  undoubtedly  furnished  its  share  from 
the  beginning. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  many  to  see  another  record  of  a 
town-meeting.  Familiar  names  will  be  found  to  recur  ;  but 
offices  have  increased  :  — 


"  At  a  town-meeting,  legally  convened  at  Medford,  March  7, 
1748,  Mr.  Andrew  Hall  was  chosen  Moderator. 


Selectmen. 


Dea.  Benj.  Willis, 

Capt.  Samuel  Brooks 

Lieut.  Stephen  Hall, 

Thomas  Seceomb,  Town-clerk 

Benj.  Parker,  Town-treasurer. 

Joseph  Tul'ts, 

Thos.  Brooks 

Edward  Hall, 

Stephen  Willis,  chosen  Constable,  refused 
to  serve,  and  paid  £10,  old  tenor. 

Francis  Whitmore,  2d  Constable,  but  re- 
fused to  serve,  and  paid  £10,  old  tenor, 

Samuel  Reeves,  3d  Constable.  He  re^ 
fused  to  serve,  and  paid  £10,  old  tenor 

Samuel  Page,  hired  to  serve  as  Constable 
for  £25,  old  tenor. 

Jonathan  Hall,  )    ,„  ... 

Henry  Fowle,     j    ^thing-men. 

Stephen  Bradshaw, 

Lieut.  John  Francis 

Stephen  Greenleaf, 

Andrew  Hall,  Esq., 

Capt.  Samuel  Brooks, 

Lieut.  Stephen  Halljun. 

Zechariah  Poole, 

Ebenezer  Brooks, 

Joseph  Tufis, 

Lieut.  Stephen  Hall,  jun 

Thomas  Brooks, 


Surveyors 
of  Highways. 


Samuel  Brooks,  ju 

William  Tufts,  \.   Fence-viewers. 

John  Hall, 

Stephen  Greenleaf, 

John  Bishop,  ^   Hog-reeves. 

Ebenezer  Francis,    ) 

John  Tufts,  \ 

Jacob  Polly,        \    Wood-cor<lers. 

Thomas  Brooks,  j 

Jonathan  Watson,     )        Surveyors  of 

Capt.  Sainl.  Brooks,  j  Boards  and  Timber. 

Samuel  Reeves,  Pound-keeper. 

Samuel  Francis,  )     Haywards  or 

Benjamin  Tufts,  j    Field-drivers. 

Simon  Bradshaw, 

Joseph  Tufts, 

Dea.  Thomas  Hall,  Sealer  of  Leather. 

Benjamin  Parker,  Sealer  of  Weights  and 

Measures. 
Stephen  Bradshaw,  Grand-juror. 


Deer-reeves. 


A  Committee  to  manage  the  affair  of  obtaining  some 
part  of  the  lands  now  belonging  to  Charlestown,  with 
the  inhabitants  thereon. 

A  Committee  to  audit  the  Town-treasurer's  accounts 
for  the  year  past,  1747,  and  the  town's  accounts  like- 
wise." 


CIVIL    HISTOTtY.  107 

Nov.  28,  1748:  Voted  to  sell  the  "Town's  Farm"  at 
auction.  This  vote  was  reconsidered ;  and,  May  15,  1749, 
"  Andrew  Hall,  Capt.  Samuel  Brooks,  and  Richard  Sprague, 
were  chosen  a  Committee  to  manage  the  affairs  for  selling  the 
town's  farm."     It  was  sold  soon  after. 

The  right  of  admitting  inhabitants  to  the  town  was  a  jeal- 
ously guarded  right.  It  was  the  custom  to  warn  every  new 
comer  out  of  town.  A  strange  hospitality  !  This  notifica- 
tion legally  prevented  such  new  comer  from  gaining  "  town- 
habitancy."  The  notification  was  also  sent  to  the  Court 
of  Sessions,  and  there  recorded  under  the  name  of  Caution. 
This  habit  continued  till  the  time  of  the  Revolution.  Paupers 
were  kept  out  by  the  most  stringent  prohibitions.  The  town 
voted  that  if  any  person,  male  or  female,  omitted  to  comply 
with  the  law  respecting  admission,  such  person  should  be 
fined  forty  shillings. 

1750 :  Premium  paid  to  the  "collector  of  the  town-taxes  " 
was  sixpence  on  the  pound. 

1753  :  We  give  here  a  specimen  of  the  petitions  offered 
by  Medford  to  the  government  for  grants  of  land :  — 

"  To  his  Excellency  William  Shirley,  Esq.,  Captain- General  and 
Governor-in- Chief  in  and  over  His  Majesty's  Province  of  the 
Massachusetts  Bay,  in  New  England,  to  the  Honorable  His 
Majesty's  Council,  and  to  the  Honorable  House  of  Representatives. 

"  The  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Medford,  in  the 
County  of  Middlesex,  humbly  showeth  that  there  are  certain  tracts 
of  land  lying  on  the  southerly  and  northerly  sides  of  said  Medford, 
which  are  bounded  as  follows,  viz. :  The  southerly  tract,  lying  in 
Charlestown,  is  bounded  northerly  with  Mistic  or  Medford  River, 
westerly  with  the  westerly  bounds  of  Mr.  Smith's  farm,  southerly 
with  the  southerly  bounds  of  Mr.  Smith's,  Mr.  James  Tufts's,  and 
Mr.  Jonathan  Tufts's  farms,  and  then  running  from  the  south-easterly 
corner  of  said  Jonathan  Tufts's  farm  eastward  straight  to  the  west- 
erly side  of  Colonel  Royal's  farm,  again  westerly  with  the  westerly 
bounds  of  Colonel  Royal's  farm,  again  southerly  with  its  southerly 
bounds,  and  then  running  from  the  south-easterly  corner  thereof 
eastward  straight  to  Medford  River. 

"  The  northerly  tract,  lying  also  in  Charlestown,  is  bounded  south- 
erly with  said  Medford's  northerly  line  and  the  southerly  bounds  of 
Mr.  Symmes's  farm,  westerly  with  the  line  that  divides  Mr.  Sym- 
mes's  from  Mr.  Gardner's  farm,  northerly  with  Woburn  and  Stone- 
ham  lines,  easterly  on  Maiden  line. 

"  Which  lands,  with  their  inhabitants,  we  pray  may  be  added  to 
the  contracted  limits  of  the  said  town  of  Medford,  together  with  a 


108  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

proportionable  part  of  the  said  town  of  Charlestown's  rights  and 
privileges,  according  to  the  quantity  and  circumstances  of  said  lands  ; 
at  least,  those  pieces  of  land,  and  the  privileges  which  are  within 
the  lands  hereby  petitioned  for. 

"  And  inasmuch  as  the  said  town  of  Charlestown  has  conveyed 
the  land  called  the  gravel-pit,  with  the  marsh  adjoining,  containing 
about  half  an  acre,  that  they  used  for  getting  gravel,  laying  timber, 
&c,  for  the  southerly  half  of  the  bridge  commonly  called  Mistic 
bridge,  and  the  '  Causey '  thereto  adjoining,  to  Capt.  Aaron  Cleave- 
land  and  Mr.  Samuel  Kendal ;  for  which  consideration,  they  have 
covenanted  and  agreed  with  the  said  town  of  Charlestown  to  keep 
the  half  of  the  bridge  and  the  '  Causey  '  aforesaid  in  good  condition 
for  ever. 

"  We  pray  that,  in  case  the  before-described  lands  are  laid  to  said 
Medford,  it  may  not  be  subjected  to  any  cost  or  charges  on  account 
of  the  before-mentioned  part  of  said  bridge  and  the  Causey 
adjoining. 

"  Which  petition  we  humbly  conceive  will  appear  reasonable  by 
what  follows :  -— 

"  First,  The  contents  of  the  said  town  of  Medford  are  exceed- 
ingly small,  amounting  to  but  about  two  thousand  acres,  the  inhabit- 
ants very  few,  and  consequently  its  charges  very  great  compared 
with  other  towns.  Besides,  as  to  brick-making,  upon  which  our 
trading  and  a  great  part  of  our  other  business  depends,  it  very  much 
fails. 

"  Secondly,  The  said  town  of  Charlestown  almost  encompasses 
the  town  of  Medford,  and  therefore  (notwithstanding  the  great 
necessity)  it  cannot  receive  large  addition  from  any  other  town. 

"  Thirdly,  Those  that  now  dwell  on  the  said  tracts  of  land,  and 
those  who  heretofore  dwelt  on  them,  have,  from  time  to  time,  enjoyed 
the  liberty  of  attending  the  public  worship  in  Medford  without 
paying  any  thing  to  the  taxes  there.  Neither  is  there  any  proba- 
bility that  any  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  lands,  or  any  other 
persons  that  may  settle  on  them,  can,  with  any  conveniency,  attend 
the  public  worship  in  any  other  town.  Moreover,  the  inhabitants 
of  the  said  southerly  tract  are  within  about  half  a  mile  of  said 
Medford  meeting-house,  the  greatest  part  of  them,  and  the  rest 
within  a  mile. 

"And  the  inhabitants  of  the  northerly  tract  before  mentioned 
are,  the  farthest  of  them,  but  about  two  miles  from  said  meeting- 
house. And  great  part  of  the  lands,  in  both  the  said  tracts,  are 
now  owned  and  possessed  by  those  who  are  with  us  in  this  petition, 
and  some  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  Medford. 

"  Besides,  we  apprehend  it  to  be  a  very  great  hardship  for  the 
inhabitants  of  said  tracts  of  land  to  be  obliged  to  go,  almost  all  of 
them,  more  than  four  miles,  and  others  more  than  seven  miles,  to 
town-meetings,  trainings,  &c. 

"  Furthermore,  we  would  humbly  move  that  some  of  the  honor- 


CIVIL    HISTORY.  109 

able  members  of  the  General  Assembly  may  be  appointed  to  view 
,the  premises  petitioned  for.  &e. 

"  In  consideration  of  what  is  before  mentioned,  and  other  moving 
arguments  that  might  be  used  in  this  affair,  we  hope  your  Excel- 
lency and  Honors,  in  your  great  wisdom  and  goodness,  will  grant 
our  petition.  Although  the  inhabitants  of  said  Charlestown  have 
not  been  pleased  to  be  so  free  (when  petitioned)  as  to  let  us  know 
whether  they  would  gratify  us  herein  or  not. 

"  So  shall  your  petitioners,  as  in  duty  bound,  ever  pray. 
"Medford,  Dec.  13th,  1753. 

"We,  the  subscribers,  being  owners  of  a  considerable  part  of 
the  said. lands,  and  having  dwelling-houses  thereon,  do  hereby  sig- 
nify that  we  heartily  join  with  the  inhabitants  of  Medford  in  the 
foregoing  petition. 

"  Samuel  Brooks,     "] 
Ebenezer  Brooks, 

7       °°    '  f  for  Medford. 

Joseph  Tufts, 

Stephen  Hall,        J 

"  Caleb  Brooks,  Benjamin  Parker,  Benjamin  Teal,  James  Tufts, 
Ebenezer  Marrow,  Jonathan  Tufts,  John  Jenks,  Robert  Crane, 
John  Degrushy. 

"This  petition  was  granted  April  17,  1754." 

"  March  4,  1754  :  Samuel  Hall  was  chosen  Constable,  and 
refused  to  serve  ;  and  the  town  took  up  with  £5,  old  tenor, 
inasmuch  as  he  is  a  lame  person." 

May  8,  1754:  Voted  that  any  person  have  a  right  to 
"  erect  an  engine  for  the  weighing  of  hay,  and  have  the  pro- 
ceeds thereof." 

Aug.  5,  1754 :  "  Voted  that  the  part  of  the  Excise  Bill  of 
his  Majesty  which  relates  to  the  private  consumption  of  wine 
and  spirits  shall  not  be  in  full  force."  Was  not  this  rebellion 
outright  ?     Did  it  foreshadow  the  scenes  of  1854  ? 

March  3,  1755  :  Fish-officers  were  first  chosen. 

May  10,  1756  :  The  town  petitions  "  the  General  Court  to 
consider  them  in  the  next  valuation,  for  that  the  said  town 
are  greatly  overdone  upon  sundry  considerations."  Voted  to 
raise  £90  (lawful  money)  for  town  expenses  for  this  year. 

March  6,  1758 :  Voted  "  that  Samuel  Brooks,  Esq.,  Capt. 
Caleb  Brooks,  Zech.  Poole,  Stephen  Bradshaw,  Capt.  Francis 
Whitmore,  be  a  Committee  to  prefer  a  petition  to  the  General 
Court  for  an  abatement  of  taxes." 

1768 :  Voted  "  that  a  Committee  be  chosen  to  draw  up 
and  lay  before  the  town  some  salutary  method  or  plan  for 


110  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

discouraging  extravagance,  and  promoting  industry  and  fru- 
gality amongst  us."  This  step  shows  that  our  fathers  were 
ready  and  willing  to  lighten  their  burdens  by  generous  self- 
denials.  If  they  seemed  to  take  morality  the  natural  way, 
they  show  the  very  spirit  of  self-sacrifice  in  their  calculating 
shrewdness.     The  Committee  make  the  following  report :  — 

"  "We,  the  subscribers,  being  chosen  a  Committee  to  consider  of 
some  method  to  discourage  extravagance,  idleness,  vice,  &c,  and 
promote  industry  and  frugality,  do  present  the  following  resolves, 
passed  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  Feb.  26,  1768,  for  an 
example  to  this  town. 

"In  the  House  of  Representatives,  Feb.  26,  1768.  Whereas, 
the  happiness  and  well-being  of  civil  communities  depend  upon 
industry,  economy,  and  good  morals ;  and  this  House  taking  into 
serious  consideration  the  great  decay  of  the  trade  of  the  Province, 
the  scarcity  of  money,  the  heavy  debt  contracted  in  the  late  war 
still  remains  on  the  people,  and  the  great  difficulties  by  which  they 
are  by  these  means  reduced,  therefore  — 

"  Resolved,  That  this  House  will  use  their  utmost  endeavors,  by 
example,  in  suppressing  extravagancies,  idleness,  and  vice,  and  pro- 
moting industry,  economy,  and  good  morals,  in  their  respective 
towns.  And,  in  order  to  prevent  the  unnecessary  exportation  of 
money,  of  which  this  Province  has  been,  of  late  years,  so  much 
drained,  it  is  further  resolved  that  this  House  will,  by  all  prudent 
means,  endeavor  to  discountenance  the  use  of  foreign  superfluities, 
and  encourage  the  manufactures  of  this  Province. 


Thomas  Seccomb. 
Benjamin  Hall. 
Joshua  Simonds. 
Thomas  Brooics. 


Samuel  Angier. 
John  Bishop. 
Willis  Hall. 


Medford,  April  1,  17C8." 


1770 :  Voted  to  raise  XI 30  for  town  expenses,  and  to  give 
eleven-pence  on  the  pound  as  premium  to  the  collector. 

1773 :  Meeting  for  the  annual  choice  of  town-officers. 
"Voted  that  it  be  on  the  first  Monday  of  March  for  the 
future."  The  town-meeting  was,  from  earliest  days,  a  marked 
occasion  by  the  boys.  The  school  had  the  day  as  a  vacation. 
The  gallery  of  the  meeting  house  was  ornamented  with 
urchins  from  six  years  old  to  half-men  of  fifteen,  who  had 
come  there  to  learn,  unconsciously,  the  science  of  republican- 
ism. The  front  seats  were  all  filled,  and  each  boy  was 
eagerly  watching  the  progress  of  events  below.  If  a  new 
road,  wharf,  grist-mill,  engine,  schoolhouse,  or  candidate, —  in 


CIVIL    HISTORY.  Ill 

short,  if  any  thing  new  was  to  be  brought  forward,  the  boys 
had  already  taken  sides  on  the  question,  and  waited  impa- 
tiently for  its  introduction  to  the  meeting.  When  the  long- 
delayed  debate  ensued,  each  gallery-politician  swelled  with 
joy  and  hope  as  a  favorite  speaker  rose.  This  ebbing  and 
flowing  of  youthful  emotions  were  the  republican  educational 
influences  brought  to  bear  on  the  boys  of  every  village ;  and 
the  lad  of  twelve  years  felt  an  interest  in  politics,  while  he  of 
twenty  had  settled  his  choice  of  party  and  men,  and  was 
ready  to  vote  understandingly.  The  absence  of  this  repub- 
lican pupilage  in  Europe  makes  a  proper  republic  there  almost 
an  impossibility. 

May  13,  1773:  The.  new  question  arose  whether  a  clergy- 
man, not  settled,  nor  ministering  to  any  parish,  should  be 
freed  from  taxation.  After  much  reflection,  the  town  "  voted 
not  to  abate  Rev.  Mr.  Edward  Brooks's  poll-tax." 

March  6,  1775 :  All  town-meetings  were  warned  "  in  his 
Majesty's  name,"  till  the  one  of  this  date,  which  dropped 
royalty  as  a  power  among  us.  The  form  soon  substituted 
was,  "  In  the  name  of  the  government  and  people  of  Massa- 
chusetts Bay." 

By  comparing  the  officers  in  Medford,  as  seen  in  the  years 
1748  and  1782,  it  will  appear  that  the  separation  from  Eng- 
land made  not  the  slightest  difference  in  the  municipal 
organizations  or  modes  of  elections.  The  only  difference 
discoverable  is,  that  before  the  "Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence "  the  town-meetings  were  warned  "  in  his  Majesty's 
name,"  but  after  1776  they  were  warned  "  in  the  name  and 
by  the  authority  of  the  people ;  "  and,  after  the  adoption  of 
the  Constitution,  "in  the  name  of  the  Commonwealth  of 
Massachusetts."  This,  not  needing  any  change  in  their 
political  system,  shows  that  the  first  system  of  town-officers 
and  municipal  elections  was  upon  the  idea  of  republican 
equality  and  submission  to  popular  majorities.  True  demo- 
cracy grew  up  as  a  necessity  among  our  fathers ;  and  from 
these  town  organizations  resulted  a  true  republican  education, 
out  of  which  "  Independence  "  grew.  Enlarged  and  Chris- 
tian patriotism  is  the  result  of  wise  and  liberal  town  adminis- 
trations. We  cannot  too  highly  prize  our  separate  town 
municipalities.  They  are  the  primary  schools  of  the  republic, 
and  do  for  the  state  what  individuals  do  for  the  family. 

Compare  the  records  of  the  town-meeting  in  1748,  and  the 
one  hereto  appended :  — 


112 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


"  At  a  town-meeting,  legally  convened  in  Medford,  March  4, 
1782,  Benjamin  Hall,  Esq.,  chosen  Moderator ;  Richard  Hall, 
Town-clerk. 


Benjamin  Hall,  Esq.,  "\ 

John  Bishop,  f 

Joshua  Simonds,  >  Selectmen 

Capt.  Ebenezer  Hall,   I 

Richard  Hall,  ) 

Jonathan  Patten,  Treasurer. 

Joshua  Simonds,  "\ 

Willis  Hall,  / 

James  Wyman,  >  Assessors. 

Moses  Billings,  I 

Capt.  Samuel  Brooks,   J 

Jonathan  Foster,      | 

James  Tufts,  jun.,   ] 

Moses  Hall,  )    t,  ..  .      

Isaac  Tufts!  J    ^thing-men 

Hezekiah  Blanchard, 

Thomas  Bradshaw, 

Capt.  Caleb  Brooks, 

Gershom  Williams, 

Timothy  Newhall, 

Noah  Floyd, 

James  Willey, 

Hutcherson  Tufts, 

Ebenezer  Thompson 

Noah  Floyd, 

Nathan  Tufts, 

Ebenezer  Thompson, 

Hutchinson  Tufts,      ) 

Moses  Hall,  Surveyor  of  Hoops 


Constables. 


Surveyors 
of  Highways. 


Fence-viewers. 


Field-drivers. 


^-reeves. 


Samuel  Kidder  j     Surveyors 

Wilham  Burd.tt,  J    of  Lumber. 

Benjamin  Floyd,  jun.,  )  ^""""«. 

William  Bradshaw,  Pound-keeper. 
Timothy  Newhall,  Sealer  of  Weights  and 

Measures. 
Samuel  Beeves,         ~\ 
Thomas  Bradshaw,  f 
John  Fulton,  \  Wood-corders. 

Moses  Hall,  ( 

Sergt.  Blanchard,      } 
John  Wade,  Deer-reeve. 
Gardner  Greenleaf,  )         Sealer 
John  Leathe,  \    of  Leather. 

Jonathan  Foster,        \ 
Jonathan  Patten,       J.    Bread-weighers. 
Ebenezer  Hall,  jun.,  ) 
Aaron  Hall, 
Bichard  Hall, 
James  Wyman, 
Moses  Hall,  Salt- measurer. 
Capt.  Caleb  Brooks,  Grand-juror. 
Simon  Tufts,  Esq.,       ~\ 
Capt.  Ebenezer  Hall,   / 
Richard  Hall,  \  Fire-wardens. 

Willis  Hall,  C 

Capt.  Isaac  Hall,  J 

Benjamin    Tufts,    Collector;     fees,    five 

pence  per  pound. 


To  audit  the 
Treasurer's  Accounts. 


Our  fathers,  in  their  civil  capacities,  legislated  upon  almost 
every  thing.  We  append  here  an  example ;  Aug.  29,  1779. 
The  prices  fixed  are  in  the  depreciated  currency,  which  may 
be  understood  by  referring  to  our  remarks  on  "  Curren- 
cy:"— 

"  Tailors,  for  making  a  suit  of  clothes  for  a  man     .     .     £15.    Os. 

Blacksmith,  shoeing  a  horse  all  round £4.  10s. 

West  India  Toddy,  one  bowl 18s. 

West  India  Flipp,  one  mug 18s. 

New  England  Toddy,  per  bowl 12s. 

New  England  Flipp,  a  mug 12s. 

Breakfast 18s. 

Common  meat  slipper 20s." 


The  subject  of  bridges  seems  to  have  had  a  wizard  agency 
over  the  feelings  of  our  fathers.  When  one  was  proposed  to 
run  from  Charlestown  to  Boston,  there  were  not  a  few  in 
Medford  who  opposed  it ;  because  they  "  thought  it  would 
ruin  the  lightering  business  upon  our  river."     Our  merchan- 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


11: 


dise,  to  a  large  amount,  was  carried  by  water  to  and  from 
Boston  ;  and  it  was  supposed  that  our  bricks  especially  could 
be  carried  by  teams  with  less  cost  and  breakage.  But  the 
friends  of  the  measure  outnumbered  its  opposers,  and,  on  the 
7th  of  February,  1785,  we  have  these  two  important  records  : 
Voted  to  oppose  Mr.  Cabot's  petition  for  building  a  bridge 
from  Leachmere's  Point  over  Charles  River ;  and  to  petition 
the  General  Court  that  "  the  petition  of  Thomas  Russell,  Esq., 
and  others  be  granted  for  building  a  bridge  over  Charles 
River  where  the  ferry  now  is." 

June  12,  1786:  "Voted  to  petition  the  General  Court  to 
prevent  the  building  of  a  bridge  across  Mystic  River  at  Penny 
Ferry."  It  was  thought  that  this  bridge  from  Maiden  to 
Charlestown  would  almost  ruin  the  navigation  of  Mystic 
River.  For  the  same  reason,  the  town  voted,  May  9,  1796, 
to  oppose  the  building  of  Chelsea  Bridge. 

1795 :  A  revision  of  the  Constitution  is  proposed  to  the 
people.  Medford  gives  fifty-three  votes  against  it,  and  one 
for  it. 

1795  :  Voted  =£500  for  town-expenses.  1797  :  Two  thou- 
sand three  hundred  dollars  for  the  same. 

March  7,  1796  :  Voted  to  pay  assessors  two  dollars  per  day 
while  making  taxes.     This  is  the  first  record  of  the  kind. 

March  6,  1797  :  For  the  first  time,  the  town  voted  to  pay 
the  town-clerk  for  his  services ;  and  they  gave  him  twenty 
dollars. 

March  6,  1809 :  "Voted  that  the  Moderator  be  desired  to 
read  the  address  from  the  Legislature  to  the  people.  The 
town  thereupon  passed  a  unanimous  vote  of  approbation." 

At  the  town-meeting,  held  March  5,  1810,  the  following 
officers  were  chosen  for  the  year  ensuing :  — 


Fitch  Hall,  Moderator. 

Abner  Bartlett,  Town-clerk. 

Nathan  Wait,         "\ 

Fitch  Hall,  / 

Jonathan  Brooks,    >    Selectmen. 

Luther  Stearns,      C 

Benjamin  Tufts,     ) 

Joseph  Manning,  Treasurer,  j 

Caleb  Brooks, 

Ephraim  Bailey, 

Joseph  Swan, 

Nathan  Wait,      / 

Joseph  Wyman,  \ 

Jeduchan  Richardson,  )       Surveyors 

Samuel  Tufts,  jun.,      j    of  Highways. 

Gersham  Teel,      )    m_iv 

James  T.  Floyd,  |    Tythmg-men. 


Assessors. 


Constables. 


Andrew  Blanchard,  ) 
William  Bradbury,  j 
Benjamin  Tufts, 
Jeduthan  Richardson, 
Joseph  Wyman, 
Jonathan  Harrington, 
Calvin  Turner, 
Thatcher  Magoon, 
Timothy  Dexter, 
John  Dixen, 
Darius  Wait, 
Jonathan  Harrington, 
Timothy  Dexter, 
John  Burrage, 
Ephraim  Bailey, 
Joseph  Church, 
Jonathan  Warner, 


Cullers  of 
Hoops  and  Staves. 

!•   Fence-viewers. 


Surveyors 
of  Lumber. 


Measurers 
of  Wood. 


1.5 


114 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


David  Willis,  Clerk  of  the  Market. 

Fitch  Hall,  ) 

John  Hosiner,  f 

Jedutban  Richardson,    >    Fire-ward:;. 

Andrew  Blanchard,       I 

Abner  Bartlett,  J 

Richard  Hall,     \  To  audit  the 

Fitch  Ha  1  \    Treasurer's  Accounts. 

Nathaniel  Hall,  J 

Hezekiah  Blanchard,  \    To  execute 

Nathan  Wait,  >  the 

Andrew  Blanchard,    )      Fish  Act. 


Seth  Tufts, 

Joseph  Blodgett, 

Joseph  Church, 

Joseph  Wyman, 

Ebenezer  Symonds 

Gershom  Tufts, 

Daniel  Tufts, 

Andrew  Blanchard 

Samuel  Buel, 

Fitch  Hall, 

Joseph  Bucknara,  Pound-keeper 


Field-drivers 

and 

Hog-reeves. 


To  sell  the  right 
of  taking  Fish. 


The  Hon.  Peter  C.  Brooks  offered  a  clock  as  a  gift  to  the 
town,  expressing  in  his  letter  a  true  and  deep  feeling  of 
attachment  to  the  inhabitants.  The  town  accepted  the 
generous  donation,  and  in  their  letter  express  their  gratitude 
and  their  sense  of  high  respect  for  their  prosperous  towns- 
man.    To  this  letter  Mr.  Brooks  replies  as  follows :  — 

"Boston,  March  12,  1810. 

"  Dear  Sir, —  The  vote  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Medfqrd, 
on  the  subject  of  the  clock,  I  received  with  those  feelings  which 
this  general  expression  of  thanks  is  calculated  to  inspire;  and  you 
will  permit  me  to  add,  sir,  that  the  pleasure  I  experienced  is  not  a 
little  heightened  by  the  very  agreeable  manner  in  which  the 
knowledge  of  this  transaction  has  been  conveyed  to  me. 

"  The  gift  to  which  it  alludes,  I  now,  with  great  satisfaction,  con- 
firm ;  and  shall  be  amply  rewarded,  should  it  be  considered  an 
ornament  to  the  town  in  which  many  of  my  days  have  been  happily 
spent,  and  a  convenience  to  its  inhabitants,  for  whom  I  entertain  a 
very  sincere  regard.  "  I  am,  &c, 

"P.  C.  Brooks. 

"  Abner  Bartlztt,  Esq." 

A  new  bridge  across  Charles  River,  from  Charlestowli  to 
Boston,  is  proposed ;  and  Nov.  1,  1824,  the  town  voted  to 
petition  the  Legislature  in  favor  of  its  erection.  They  pro- 
posed to  call  it  "  Warren  Bridge."  The  bridge  was  built, 
though,  as  many  thought,  against  the  pledged  faith  of  a 
former  Legislature. 

1828 :  Heretofore  the  Selectmen  had  met  at  times  agreed 
upon  by  themselves ;  but  now  the  town  voted  "  that  it  shall 
henceforth  be  the  duty  of  the  Selectmen  to  meet  on  the  first 
Monday  of  every  month  for  business ; "  and  no  business 
shall  be  done  by  them  at  other  times. 

"  May  7,  1836 :  Voted  that  in  future  the  practice  or  cus- 
tom of  allowing  the  town-officers  an  annual  supper,  at  the 
town's  expense,  be  dispensed  with." 


y.    c  .  73 >  ^  o  /^^ 


CIVIL    HISTORY.  115 

April  6,  1840:  The  town  adopted  the  following  by- 
laws :  — 

"1.  If  any  one  deface  a  building,  fence,  &c,  be  shall  be  fined 
not  more  than  twenty  dollars. 

"  2.  If  any  one  neglect  to  keep  in  repair  any  cellar-door  which 
projects  into  the  street,  he  shall  be  fined  $20. 

"  3.  If  any  cellar-door  be  left  open  in  the  night,  without  a  light 
to  reveal  it,  the  owner  shall  be  fined  $20. 

"  4.  No  awnings  to  project  more  than  eight  feet  from  the  front 
wall. 

"  5.  No  gate  swing  across  the  street ;  and  no  coal  left  on  side- 
walk ;  penalty  $5. 

"  6.  Notice  to  build  shall  be  given ;  penalty  $5. 

"  7.  No  post  put  up  in  the  street  without  permission  from  the 
selectmen;  penalty  $10. 

"  8.  No  obstructions  of  the  street ;  penalty  $5. 

"  9.  No  dirt,  ashes,  &c,  put  in  the  streets ;  penalty  $10. 

"  10.  No  wheelbarrow  or  cart  on  side-walks ;  penalty  $5. 

"11.  Snow-balling,  throwing  stones,  &c,  whereby  persons  may 
be  annoyed  in  the  streets ;   penalty  $5. 

"  12.  No  bathing  in  exposed  places;  penalty  $5. 

"13.  Fast  driving  forbidden  ;  penalty  $10. 

"  14.  Clerk  of  the  market  shall  be  appointed  annually. 

"15.  Dogs  without  a  collar,  between  1st  May  and  1st  October, 
to  be  killed  by  the  police. 

"  16.  No  dog  shall  disturb  any  neighborhood,  and  after  being 
warned,  penalty  $1  for  each  day  after  notice  is  served. 

"  1 7.  Police  shall  see  to  the  peace  of  the  town,  and  complain  of 
all  disorderly  boys. 

"  18.  All  fines  to  be  paid  into  the  treasury." 

While  these  by-laws  show  the  care  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Medford  for  externals,  the  following  votes  show  a  deeper 
care  for  moral  interests  :  — 

"Feb.  13,  1843:  Voted  that  all  good  citizens  should  cease  using 
spirituous  and  intoxicating  liquors,  and  should  unite  to  prosecute 
those  who  sell  them." 

"March  8,  1847:  Voted  that  a  Committee  of  twelve  be  chosen 
to  enforce  the  License  Law. 

"  Voted  that  the  Selectmen  be  instructed  to  oppose  the  granting 
of  licenses  for  the  sale  of  intoxicating  drinks  in  this  town ;  and 
draw  on  the  treasury  for  all  necessary  expenses  in  this  duty. 

"  Voted  that  said  Committee  prosecute  without  lenity  in  all  cases 
of  the  breach  of  the  license  law. 

"  Voted  that  the  overseers  of  the  poor  be  instructed  not  to  pur- 


116  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

chase  any  thing  for  the  poor  and  alms-house,  where  intoxicating 
drinks  are  sold." 

July  19,  1852:  "Whereas  the  Legislature  of  this  Common- 
wealth passed  at  the  last  session  a  law  for  the  suppression  of  places 
for  the  sale  of  intoxicating  drinks,  therefore  — 

"  Resolved,  that  the  officers  of  this  town  be  instructed  to  execute 
the  law  in  every  instance  of  its  violation." 

These  votes  and  resolutions  contrast  strongly  with  the  vote 
of  1831,  when  the  town  voted  not  to  restrain  retailers. 

Feb.  15,  1855  :  "  The  town-agency  for  the  sale  of  spirituous 
liquors,"  say  the  Selectmen,  "  has  been  in  existence  two  and 
a  half  years.  The  agent  has  given  general  satisfaction.  The 
experiment  thus  far  has  been  satisfactory,  and  the  agency  is 
sufficient  to  meet  all  the  reasonable  demands  of  the  inhabit- 
ants for  spirituous  liquors." 

March  13,  1848  :  Voted  tc  _ 
dollars  per  annum  for  their  services. 

The  petition  of  certain  inhabitants  of  Medford,  Woburn, 
and  West  Cambridge,  to  be  set  off  from  their  several  towns, 
and  to  be  united  in  a  new  town,  named  Winchester,  called 
forth  the  following  vote  of  the  town  of  Medford :  — 

March  4,  1850:  "Voted  that  the  Selectmen  be  instructed  to 
oppose  the  petition  of  E.  S.  Parker  and  others  of  South  Woburn, 
to  set  off  a  part  of  Medford  to  a  proposed  new  town." 

Strenuous  efforts  were  made  to  defeat  the  petition,  but 
without  success.  Some  inhabitants  of  Medford,  who  would 
be  included  in  the  new  town,  opposed  this  separation  from 
their  old  friends.  The  act  of  separation  and  the  act  for  the 
incorporation  of  Winchester  were  passed  together,  April  30, 
1850.  The  act  defines  the  bounds  of  Winchester,  but  does 
not  state  what  territory  was  taken  from  each  of  the  old  towns, 
out  of  which  the  new  town  is  made.  The  regulations  and 
conditions  respecting  debts,  paupers,  congressional  districts, 
&c,  were  made,  wThich  usually  accompany  such  acts.  Thus 
Medford  lost  a  large  tract  of  excellent  land,  and  became 
separated  territorially  from  many  long-cherished  and  valuable 
friends. 

The  last  record  of  town-officers,  elected  at  the  annual 
March  meeting,  which  we  can  insert,  is  that  of  1850 ;  and  it 
is  as  follows  :  — 


EXPENSES. 

John  Sparrell,  Moderator. 

John  T.  White, 

Collector  of  Taxes. 

Jos.  P.  Hall,  Town-olerk. 

Eleazer  Davis, 

^ 

James  0.  Curtis,  } 

Willard  Butters 

,  >  Field  Drivers. 

Chas.  Caldwell,    S  Selectmen. 

Thos.  Gillard, 

) 

Timothy  Cotting,  ) 

Pyam  Cushing, 

) 

George  W.  Porter,  Treasurer. 

Peter  C.  Hall, 

>  Fence  Viewers. 

Horatio  A.  Smith,    ^ 

Nathan  W.  Wait,  > 

Samuel  Joyce,           >  Assessors. 

John  T.  White, 

) 

Henry  Withington, ) 

Amos  Hemphill 

>  Fish  Committee 

John'T.  White,  f 

Elbridge  Teel, 

s 

Benj.  R.  Teel,    >  Overseers  of  the  Poor. 

Henry  II.  Jacquith,  Pound  Keeper 

Alex.  Gregg,      ) 

John  Sparrell, 

G.  T.  Goodwin,    " 

Timothy  Cotting,       "j 

Jas.  0.  Curtis, 

A.  Hutchens, 

Horatio  A.  Smith,      1 

J.  T.  Foster, 

R.  E.  Ells, 

Benj.  R.  Teel, 

E.  Stetson, 

H.  Taylor, 

Hosea  Ballou,  2d,      £•  School  Committee. 

J.  Loring, 

C.  S.  Jacobs, 

Henry  Withington, 

S.  Lapham, 

B.  R.  Teel, 

J.  M.  Sanford, 

0.  Joyce, 

E.  Waterman, 

Chas.  S.  Jacobs,        J 

J.  Stetson, 

J.  Sanborn, 

Alex.  Gregg,  Surveyor  of  Highways 

J.  Taylor, 

T.  T.  Fowler, 

John  T.  White,    ^ 

P.  Curtis, 

J.  Clapp, 

Elisha  Tolman,    >  Constables. 

P.  Cushing, 

B.  H.  Samson, 

Amos  Hemphill,  ) 

e: 

iPE 

E.  Hayden, 
NSES. 

117 


The  first  book  kept  by  the  Treasurer  is  lost.  From  the 
second,  which  begins  in  1729,  and  others  of  later  date,  the 
following  items  of  expenses  are  taken.  The  modern  modes 
of  book-keeping  were  not  known  to  our  fathers.  There 
were  sometimes  two  or  three  rates  made  in  a  year,  varying 
from  £20  to  £200.  The  money  collected  by  the  Constable 
was  paid  into  the  treasury  ;  but  the  accounts  of  the  Treasurer 
were  not  examined  until  a  new  Treasurer  was  chosen.  Then 
a  Committee  was  appointed  to  examine  the  accounts,  and 
transfer  the  books.  A  natural  consequence  of  such  book- 
keeping was,  that  the  accounts  of  one  year  ran  into  those  of 
the  next ;  and,  thus  mixed  up,  the  items  of  several  years 
were  summed  up  in  one  footing.  After  1775,  more  regular- 
ity obtained.  Another  fact  should  be  noticed  in  the  follow- 
ing accounts,  —  the  bewildering  depreciation  in  the  value  of 
money.     For  fluctuations  in  the  currency,  see  the  tables. 


Samuel  Brooks,  Treasurer  from  1729  to  1732 
Amount  paid  for  town-expenses,  3  years 

Ebenezer  Brooks,  Treasurer  from  1735  to  1743 
Amount  paid  for  town-expenses,  8  years 

Benjamin  Parker,  Treasurer  from  1743  to  1749 
Amount  paid  for  town-expenses,  6  years 


Old  Tenor. 

£1,446     9     1 

2,2G5     0     7 
4,886  10     1 


118  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Aaron    Hall,    Treasurer    from    1761    to    1767.  Lawful  Money. 

Amount  paid  for  town-expenses $674  19     7 

James   Wyman,  Treasurer  from    1767    to   1771. 

Amount  paid  for  town-expenses,  4  years       .     .  2,162  12     2 

In  these  four  years  are  included  the  expenses  of  building 
the  meeting-house,  in  1769.  The  pews  paid  the  greater 
part. 

Lawful  Money. 

Expenses  from  1771  to  1772 £558     3  4 

„     1777  to  1778 1,414     4  4 

„           „     1778  to  1779  (by  tax)      ....  3,061   18  6 

Borrowed 2,850     0  0 

(Depreciated  money) 5,311   18     6 

1779.  Expenses  (raised  by  tax) 8,814     0     0 

Borrowed 8,635     4     4 

Extra  expenses  on  account  of  the  war    .     .    17,449     4     4 

1780.  Raised  by  tax 101,401   19  10 

Borrowed 5,383     7     0 

(Depreciated  money)        106,785     6  10 

1786.   March,  to  March,  1787 1,440  15     0 

1790.    Expenses  of  town  for  one  year     ....         861     5     6 

„ $3,188.11 


1800, 
1810. 
1820. 
1830. 
1835. 
1840. 
1845. 
1850. 


4,317.16 
5,348.78 
5,608.93 
15,300.15 
17,314.21 
20,004.26 
15,186.18 


Since  the  year  1820,  all  the  public  buildings  have  been 
erected,  such  as  town-house,  school-houses,  and  engine- 
houses.  The  establishment  of  a  fire-department  and  the 
opening  of  new  streets  have  swelled  the  recent  expenses. 

When  the  government  of  the  United  States  distributed 
their  surplus  revenue  among  the  people,  the  amount  that  came 
to  Medford  was  three  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy- 
eight  dollars  fifty-nine  cents.  The  inhabitants  voted,  April 
3,  1837,  to  receive  it  according  to  the  terms  of  the  grant,  and 
to  use  it  in  paying  the  debts  and  expenses  of  the  town. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  compare  the  expenses  of  1818  and 
1855.     They  are  as  follows.     For  1818  :  — 


MEDFORD    A    TOWN.  119 

Minister's  salary  and  grant  of  wood $500.00 

Poor 1,225.46 

Paid  Charlestown  for  paupers 241.00 

Roads 507.63 

Schools 740.00 

Abatement  of  taxes 258.47 

Town-officers 150.00 

Collecting  taxes 270.00 

Expenses  tor  opposing  a  new  road 150.00 

Interest  on  town-debt 141.00 

For  injury  of  horse  on  drawbridge 50.00 

Sexton,  $25.00 ;  Miscellaneous  expenses,  $94.56    .     .     .  119.56 

$4,353.12 

The  expenses  from  Feb.  15,  1854,  to  Feb.  15,  1855,  were 
as  follows :  — 

Public  schools $7,138.82 

Highways 2,031.10 

Bridges 37.71 

Street  lamps 192.27 

Poor  —  alms-house 3,571.86 

Fire  department 2,046.04 

Salaries  and  fees 1,482.67 

Miscellaneous  expenses 3,123.09 

Notes  payable  and  interest  paid 5,284.00 

Amount  of  town  and  county  taxes  for  1854     ....  $28,726.40 

Receipts  and  income         2,284.43 

Balance  in  treasury 7,909.23 

Town  debt  — 1855 34,100.00 


MEDFORD    A    TOWN. 

Mr.  Frotb.ingh.am,  in  his  excellent  History  of  Charlestown, 
1846  (p.  92),  says:  — "  Medford  was  not  a  town:  it  was 
rather  a  manor,  owned  by  one  of  the  leading  inhabitants  of 
Charlestown." 

We  shall  very  good-naturedly  dissent  from  this  statement, 
and  show  cause. 

We  have  every  reason  to  suppose  that  the  town-officers  in 
Medford  were  like  those  in  the  adjoining  plantations.  Our 
first  records  speak  of  Selectmen,  sometimes  called  "  Seven- 
men,"  because  these  seven  men  acted  as  governors  of  the 
town,  assessors,  and  referees.    They  were  also  called  "  Towns- 


120  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

men,"  because  they  represented  the  whole  town,  and  acted 
for  the  inhabitants.  There  was  a  Town-clerk,  who  recorded 
the  doings  of  the  Selectmen  and  the  town,  and  also  granted 
attachments  in  civil  actions.  There  were  Surveyors  of  high- 
ways, whose  duty  it  was  not  only  to  direct  the  laborers,  but 
to  see  that  every  one  did  his  share.  There  was  the  Consta- 
ble, who  warned  public  meetings,  and  collected  the  taxes. 

In  the  town-meetings,  which  were  always  opened  with 
prayer  by  a  deacon  or  some  aged  member  of  the  church,  a 
moderator  presided.  Fines  were  imposed  for  non-attendance. 
Each  one  had  an  equal  right  to  speak.  The  Court  ordered, 
in  1641,  that  "every  man,  whether  inhabitant  or  foreigner, 
free  or  not  free,  shall  have  liberty  to  prefer  a  petition,  bring 
forward  a  motion,  or  make  a  complaint,  so  it  be  done  in  con- 
venient time,  due  order,  and  respectful  manner." 

The  voting  related  mainly  to  making  of  fences,  laying  out 
of  roads,  regulating  the  pasturage  of  cattle,  ringing  the 
swine,  killing  of  wolves,  bears,  and  foxes,  and  assessing  rates. 
All  these  acts  of  the  assembled  inhabitants  imply  the  posses- 
sion of  legal,  civil,  and  political  rights  ;  just  the  rights  which 
constitute  a  regularly  organized  body-politic. 

When  Deputy-Governor  Dudley,  and  those  with  him, 
came  to  this  neighborhood,  they  visited  several  places  :  they 
named  one  Boston,  another  Charlestown,  another  Meadford, 
another  Roxbury,  another  Watertown,  and  another  Dorches- 
ter. On  Wood's  map  of  1635,  Medford  is  designated  by  the 
same  mark  as  all  other  towns.  Each  of  these  places  above 
named  became  towns ;  and  each  in  the  same  way,  by  be- 
coming settlements  ;  and  each  claimed,  and  each  as  a  town 
possessed,  the  same  legal,  civil,  political,  and  municipal 
rights.  In  proof  that  each  of  them  was  a  town,  separate  and 
distinct,  and  was  so  considered  and  so  treated  by  the  General 
Court,  each  one  of  them  was  taxed  by  the  General  Court  as 
early  as  September  28,  1630,  and  each  one  continued  to  be 
so  taxed.  The  Court  put  each  one  of  them  on  the  list  of 
towns,  and  passed  separate  laws  relating  to  each.  If  this 
does  not  constitute  legal  township,  we  know  not  Avhat  can. 
In  these  several  towns,  there  must  have  been  municipal  laws 
and  regulations  for  levying  and  gathering  the  amounts  as- 
sessed. If  either  of  these  towns  had  been  only  an  appendage 
to  its  neighbor,  it  would  have  been  so  considered  by  its 
inhabitants,  so  organized  in  its  municipal  government,  and 
so  treated  by  the  General  Court.     But  this  was  not  the  case 


MEDFORD    A    TOWN.  121 

with  either  of  them.  At  this  early  period,  not  a  foot  of  land 
in  Medtbrd  was  owned  by  any  inhabitant  of  Charlestown. 
We  have  elsewhere  shown  who  were  the  several  purchasers 
after  the  death  of  Mr.  Cradock.  There  is,  therefore,  no  just 
warrant  for  considering  Medford  as  "a  manor,"  any  more 
than  Roxbury  or  Watcrtown.  The  early  owners  in  these 
towns  were  few.  Medford  was  never  called  "  a  manor  "  till 
1846.  In  all  the  old  histories  it  is  called  a  "town,"  in  pre- 
cisely the  same  way  as  Boston  and  Dorchester.  If  it  was 
not  a  town  after  the  passing  of  the  "act"  of  the  General 
Court,  it  is  not  a  town  now ;  for  it  has  never  been  incorpo- 
rated since.  And  if  it  was  not  a  town  then,  Boston,  Roxbury, 
Charlestown,  Dorchester,  and  Watertown  are  not  towns  now  ; 
for  they  have  never  been  incorporated  since. 

It  was  called  a  "  plantation,"  as  other  places  were,  because 
this  was  a  common  name  adopted  by  the  Company  in  Lon- 
don, and  very  naturally  transferred  here.  The  name  ex- 
pressed the  actual  condition  and  incipient  history  of  each 
town.  It  was  sometimes,  in  the  books,  called  Mistick,  after 
the  name  of  its  river.  It  was  sometimes  called  "  Mr.  Cra- 
dock's  Farm,"  because  that  gentleman  had  introduced  farm- 
ers to  cultivate  its  lands,  had  impaled  a  park,  had  erected 
houses,  built  ships,  and  carried  on  an  extensive  fishery.  He 
owned  so  large  a  part  of  the  tract,  and  was  so  rich  and  dis- 
tinguished, that  it  would  have  been  strange  if  his  name  had 
not  attached  to  it.  "We  have  wondered  why  it  has  not  always 
been  called  by  his  name. 

The  "  celebrated  Rev.  James  Noyes "  became  the  pastor 
and  teacher  of  the  inhabitants  of  Medford  in  1634.  If  hav- 
ing a  Christian  minister,  resident  and  laboring  in  a  town, 
completed  the  idea  of  township  in  those  days,  then  Medford 
surely  had  every  thing  required  in  the  definition. 

Let  us  now  look  at  the  earliest  records  of  Medford,  and  see 
what  they  prove.  The  first  twenty-five  or  thirty  pages  of  the 
first  book  of  records  are  unfortunately  lost,  probably  from 
carelessness  about  loose  and  decayed  sheets.  The  next  thirty 
pages  are  broken  out  of  their  places,  and  may  be  soon  lost. 
We  find  the  first  records,  which  are  preserved,  noting  down 
methodically,  after  the  manner  of  those  days,  the  usual 
doings  of  a  legal  town-meeting.  No  one  can  examine  the 
old  book,  and  not  see  that  there  was  uniformity  in  the  Town- 
clerk's  records.  It  is  most  clear  that  the  earliest  records 
which   are  preserved  are  the  regular  continuation  of   the 

16 


122  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

earlier  ones  which  are  lost.  And  what  do  we  find  in  the 
oldest  records  ?  "We  find  the  Selectmen  calling  the  annual 
town-meeting,  in  His  Majesty's  name,  to  choose  the  usual 
officers  for  the  regulation  of  town-affairs,  &c.  The  town 
speaks  of  itself  as  a  town,  taxes  itself  as  a  town,  petitions 
the  General  Court  as  a  town,  and  makes  its  laws  like  other 
towns ;  and  never  is  there  the  slightest  hint  that  Meclford  is 
"  not  a  town,  but  rather  a  manor."  In  the  early  and  tedious 
controversy  about  the  Mystic  Bridge,  its  neighbors  treated  with 
it  as  a  town ;  its  inhabitants  took  the  oath  of  fidelity,  and  its 
municipal  organization  conformed,  to  the  laws  of  the  Colony. 

The  author  of  the  History  of  Charlestown  says  of  Medford, 
that  "the  town,  in  1638,  commenced  a  suit,  &c."  Here 
Medford  is  called  a  town,  in  1638,  by  Mr.  F.  himself,  and  is 
represented  by  him  as  acting  in  its  corporate  capacity  in  a 
legal  process  before  the  Quarter  Court.  If  it  had  been  only 
a  "  manor,"  its  lord  or  owner  would  have  been  its  sovereign  ; 
and  all  its  town-action,  above  described,  could  never  have 
taken  place. 

The  same  inference  follows  if  we  turn  to  the  acts  of  the 
General  Court.  From  1630,  the  Court  considered  Meclford 
a  town,  and  treated  it  accordingly ;  and,  when  the  inhabitants 
petitioned  for  an  act  of  incorporation,  the  Legislature  sent 
them  the  following  reply :  that  "  the  town  had  been  incorpo- 
rated, along  with  the  other  towns  of  the  Province,  by  a 
general  "  act,"  passed  in  1630 ;  and,  under  this  act,  it  had  at 
any  time  a  right  to  organize  itself  and  choose  a  representa- 
tive without  further  legislation."  Here  the  highest  authority 
of  the  Colony  solemnly  and  emphatically  declares  Medford 
to  be  a  town,  a  regularly  incorporated  town,  by  the  Same 
"  act  "  as  that  for  Boston,  Charlestown,  Watertown,  Roxbury, 
and  Dorchester.  Thus  Medford  had  been,  from  1630,  an  in- 
corporated town,  possessing  all  the  civil,  political,  and  muni- 
cipal rights  consequent  on  that  "  act." 

Mr.  Frothingham  says :  "  All  printed  authorities  speak  of 
Medford  as  a  town,  and  date  its  incorporation  in  1630 ;  but 
this  appears  to  be  an  error."  We  are  content  to  follow,  in  this 
matter,  "  all  printed  authorities,"  and  the  decision  of  the  Legis- 
ature,  and  leave  the  novel  supposition  of  1846  to  stand  alone. 

Medford  was  called  a  peculiar  town,  but  its  peculiarity  did 
not  consist  in  being  stripped  of  its  political  rights  and  corpo- 
rate organizations ;  for,  in  the  very  -enactment  which  calls  it 
"  peculiar,"  the  General  Court  say  it  shall  "  have  power,  as 


CAUSES    OF    PROSPERITY.  123 

other  toivns,  as  to  prudentials."  If  it  had  rights  "as  other 
towns,"  and  was  treated  by  the  Legislature  "as  other  towns," 
in  what  did  its  peculiarity  consist  ?  This  question  is  easily 
answered.  Its  peculiarity  consisted  in  having  the  major  part 
of  its  territory  owned  by  one  gentleman,  and  he  a  resident 
in  London.  Mr.  Cradock,  the  strongest  and  wealthiest  friend 
of  the  Colony,  had  this  grant  of  land  in  partial  remuneration 
for  his  great  outlays  for  the  Company.  He  was  sometimes 
excused  from  taxes.  Here  was  another  peculiarity,  but  no 
withdrawal  or  relinquishment  of  vested  rights.  This  fact 
rendered  town-laws  more  important.  It  required  very  strong 
and  peculiar  laws  to  regulate  the  fishermen,  coopers,  ship- 
carpenters,  and  farmers,  whom  Mr.  Cradock  had  established 
here.  Such  laws  could  not  be  enforced  except  by  a  proper 
civil  authority;  and  such  authority  every  thing  proves  to 
have  existed. 

Mr.  Cradock's  grants  were  not  made  till  1634-5 ;  but 
Medford  was  taxed,  "  as  other  towns,"  in  1630.  Here,  there- 
fore, were  four  or  five  years  in  which  it  acted  as  an  incorpo- 
rated town  before  Mr.  Cradock  came  into  possession  of  his 
grant.  During  those  four  or  five  years,  it  could  not  have 
been  a  "  manor ;  "  but,  at  that  time,  it  became  a  town ;  which 
character  it  has  possessed  to  this  day  unbroken,  and  which 
character  was  stamped  upon  it,  "  by  a  general  act  "  of  the 
government  in  1630,  and  now  remains  in  force. 


CAUSES  OF  PROSPERITY. 

After  the  English  Parliament  had  assembled  in  1640,  the 
persecutions  of  the  Puritans  were  stopped.  Deep  policy 
suggested  this  change  of  affairs  in  England ;  and  a  conse- 
quence was,  that  emigration  to  New  England  ceased,  and  was 
not  renewed,  with  any  spirit  till  1773.  New  England,  there- 
fore, was  peopled  by  the  descendants  of  those  who  emigrated 
between  1620  and  1640 ;  and  this  fact  we  would  mention  as 
the  first  cause  of  prosperity.  God  sifted  the  kingdoms  of 
the  Old  World  that  he  might  find  wheat  sufficiently  good  to 
plant  in  the  virgin  soil  of  the  New ;  and,  when  planted,  he 
kept  it  to  himself,  a  chosen  seed,  till  it  should  spread,  and 
fill  the  land. ' 

Another  cause  of  prosperity  to  New  England  was  found 
in  the  institution  of   families.     Each  family  was  a  unit,  a 


124  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

state,  a  church ;  and  the  father  was  both  patriarch  and  priest. 
In  these  free  and  Christian  families  arose  that  intelligent  and 
stubborn  enterprise  which  could  turn  a  wilderness  into  a 
garden,  and  barbarism  into  civilization.  These  families,  un- 
fettered and  individualized,  were  happy  to  unite  with  all 
around  them  for  the  surer  attainment  of  their  common  end. 
One  principle  sanctified  all  hearts,  one  aim  employed  all 
hands.  Here  the  motto  was  true,  E  pluribus  unum ;  "  distinct 
like  the  billows,  but  one  like  the  sea." 

The  establishment  of  free  schools  was  another  most  power- 
ful cause  of  prosperity  to  New  England.  This  original  idea 
had  potency  enough  to  work  out  the  highest  results  of  pri- 
vate and  social  good;  the  profoundest  problems  of  life, 
government,  and  religion.  It  began  in  the  right  way,  at  the 
right  place ;  it  put  the  lever  where  it  could  move  the  world. 
Free  churches  became  the  continuation  of  free  schools  ;  taking 
up  the  process  of  instruction  just  where  the  schools  had  left 
it.  Religion  gave  to  learning  its  proper  polarity.  What 
would  New  England  have  been  without  its  churches?  —  a 
plantation  without  a  sun. 

Another  cause  of  prosperity  was  the  independence  of  towns. 
Each  municipality  felt  itself  to  be  sovereign  in  the  ordering 
of  its  own  affairs,  while  it  was  a  recognized  part  of  the  body 
politic.  A  town,  like  an  individual,  must  have  the  habit  of 
self-government.  It  cannot  be  ruled  by  the  militia,  but 
only  by  the  combined  wisdom  of  the  whole  population. 
While  a  general  government  is  almost  wholly  employed  in 
averting  evil,  a  town  possesses  the  power  of  doing  positive 
good.  When  our  New-England  towns  levied  taxes,  opened 
roads,  gathered  a  militia,  founded  schools,  and  supported 
churches,  they  did  thereby  manage  the  great  interests  of  the 
colony,  and  in  one  sense  became  national  legislatures. 

Another  cause  of  prosperity  was  the  absence  of  the  taxes, 
tolls,  fees,  restrictions,  and  monopolies  of  Old  England. 
Here  a  man  could  do  what  he  pleased  in  lawful  work  and 
trade,  and  could  do  as  much  as  he  wished.  Here  he  could 
work  at  two  or  ten  trades,  if  he  was  able.  This  was  New- 
England  free  trade. 

Another  cause  of  prosperity,  consequent  in  some  measure 
on  the  two  last  noticed,  was  the  small  number  of  laws  made 
by  the  General  Court.  Society  here  had  not  reached  that 
complicated  state  in  which  powerful  political  parties,  fierce 
sectional  jealousies,  and  conflicting  moneyed  aristocracies,  so 


CAUSES    OF    PROSPERITY.  125 

often  make  legislation  interminable,  contradictory,  and  decep- 
tive. The  diamond-cut-diamond  system,  now  in  such  terrible 
activity  among  us,  was  not  known  to  our  fathers.  Their  laws 
were  only  the  republication  of  those  few  general  principles 
of  justice  and  humanity  which  are  easily  gathered  from  the 
sacred  pages.  Such  legislation,  while  the  most  simple,  was 
the  most  effective  and  the  least  changeable. 

Another  cause  of  prosperity  was  the  poverty  of  the  soil, 
and  the  severity  of  the  winter.  Agriculture  was  the  chief 
business  and  main  support  of  society ;  and  to  make  the  earth 
produce  in  six  months  sufficient  food  for  twelve  required  an 
ingenuity  of  mind,  a  force  of  will,  and  a  strength  of  muscle, 
which  is  synonymous  with  intellectual  and  moral  greatness. 
If  we  would  produce  athletic  frames,  creative  minds,  and 
brave  hearts,  let  the  soil  be  light  and  thin.  Our  primitive 
granite  soil  produces  the  true  granite  men ;  and  one  of  them 
here  in  Medford  can  do  as  much  as  three  Cubans  under  the 
line.  The  stern  necessities,  which  grew  out  of  the  soil  and 
climate  of  New  England,  became  schoolmasters,  teaching  our 
fathers  the  highest  lessons  of  intelligence,  watchfulness,  per- 
severence,  and  economy. 

"  Man  is  the  noblest  growth  our  realms  supply, 
And  souls  are  ripened  in  our  northern  sky." 

If  we  wish  to  see  a  race  that  need  not  think,  cannot  plan, 
and  will  not  work,  we  have  only  to  find  those  who  have 
every  thing  done  for  them.  We  therefore  conclude  that 
what  has  been  called  the  "  hard  lot "  of  the  New  Englander 
has  been  the  making  of  him. 

The  causes  of  prosperity,  so  briefly  noticed  above,  are 
introduced  that  we  may  here  say,  that  each  one  of  them  has 
been  brought  to  bear,  in  its  true  relation  and  natural  force, 
upon  the  town  of  Medford,  which  is  at  this  moment  enjoying 
the  distinguished  benefits.  With  Medford  before  us,  we 
conclude  by  saying,  that  these  elements  of  growth  have  pro- 
duced, throughout  New  England,  a  remarkable  activity  of 
mind  and  body,  a  general  diffusion  of  knowledge,  an  indomi- 
table perseverance  of  will,  social  and  civil  order,  self-forget- 
ful patriotism,  domestic  love,  and  religious  enthusiasm. 
These  effects  have,  in  their  turn,  become  causes ;  and  the 
glorious  results  are  extensive  wealth,  great  moral  influence, 
elevated  Christian  character,  and  solid  happiness. 

"  Surely  the  lines  have  fallen  to  us  in  pleasant  places,  and 
God  hath  given  to  us  a  goodly  heritage." 


126 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


CHAIRMEN   OF  THE   BOARD   OF   SELECTMEN. 


Jonathan  Wade 
Nathaniel  Wade 
John  Hall 
Nathaniel  Wade 
Jonathan  Wade 
Thomas  Willis 
Nathaniel  Wade 
John  Hall 
Nathaniel  Wade 
John  Hall 
Nathaniel  Wade 
Jonathan  Tul'ts 
Nathaniel  Wade 
Peter  Tufts 
Nathaniel  Wade 
Peter  Tufts 
Nathaniel  Wade 
Peter  Tufts 
Nathaniel  Wade 
Stephen  Francis 
Stephen  Willis 
John  Francis 
Ebenezer  Brooks 
John  Bradshaw 
John  Whitmore 
Thomas  Willis 
Stephen  Willis 
Jonathan  Tufts 
Samuel  Wade 
Thomas  Tufts 
John  Bradshaw 
Jonathan  Tufts. 
John  Bradshaw 
Thomas  Tufts 
Ebenezer  Brooks 
John  Bradshaw 
Ebenezer  Brooks 
Stephen  Hall 
Thomas  Hall 
John  Hall 
Stephen  Hall 
John  Willis. 
John  Hall 
Benjamin  Willis 
John  Hall 
Benjamin  Willis 
Simon  Tufts 
John  Hall 


1676. 
1678. 
1679. 
1681. 
1683. 
1684. 
1685. 
1689. 
1690. 
1693. 
1694. 
1695. 
1696. 
1698. 
1699. 
1700. 
1703. 
1705. 
1706. 
1707. 
1708. 
1709. 
1710. 
1711. 
1712. 
1713. 
1714. 
1715. 
1717. 
1718. 
1719. 
1721. 
1722. 
1723. 
1724. 
1725. 
1726. 
1730. 
1732. 
1733. 
1734. 
1736. 
1737. 
1738. 
1739. 
1740. 
1742. 
1743. 


Benjamin  Willis 
Samuel  Brooks  . 
Benjamin  Willis 
Jonathan  Watson 
Samuel  Brooks  . 
Isaac  Royal   .     . 
Zachariah  Poole 
Isaac  Royal   .     . 
Stephen  Hall      . 
Isaac  Royal   .     . 
Benjamin  Hall   . 
Willis  Hall    .     . 
Thomas  Brooks  . 
Willis  Hall    .     . 
Ebenezer  Hall    . 
Richard  Hall      . 
John  Brooks .     . 
Ebenezer  Hall    . 
John  Brooks .     . 
Caleb  Brooks 
Jonathan  Porter 
Nathan  Waite    . 
Nathaniel  Hall  . 
Luther  Stearns  . 
Jeduthan  Richardson 
Nathan  Adams  . 
Turell  Tufts  .     . 
Joseph  Swan 
Dudley  Hall .     . 
Turell  Tufts  .     . 
John  Howe   .     . 
John  B.  Fitch    . 
John  King     .     . 
John  Symmes,  jun 
Thomas  R.  Peck 
Galen  James 
James  O.  Curtis 
Galen  James 
Lewis  Richardson 
Thomas  R.  Peck 
Alexander  Gregg 
Timothy  Cotting 
Alexander  Gregg 
Henrv  Withington 
Peter"  C.  Hall     . 
James  O.  Curtis 
Peter  C.  Hall     . 
Benjamin  H.  Samson 


1744. 
1745. 
1746. 
1749. 
1750. 
1755. 
1762. 
1763. 
1764. 
1765. 
1773. 
1785. 
1788. 
1789. 
1790. 
1794. 
1796. 
1798. 
1803. 
1804. 
1808. 
1810. 
1812. 
1813. 
1821. 
1822. 
1823. 
1826. 
1827. 
1828. 
1829. 
1830. 
1831. 
1832. 
1834. 
1836. 
1837. 
1838. 
1839. 
1840. 
1841. 
1844. 
1845. 
1847. 
1849. 
1850. 
1853. 
1S55. 


NAMES  OF  THE  TREASURERS. 


Stephen  Willis  .     .     . 

.     .     1696. 

John  Whitmore       .     . 

.     .     1714. 

John  Bradstreet      .     . 

.     .     1700. 

William  Willis  .     .     . 

.     .     1725. 

Samuel  Wade    .     .     . 

.     .     1709. 

John  Richardson    .     . 

.     .     1727. 

GOVERNOR    BROOKS. 


127 


Edward  Brooks . 

1728. 

Jonathan  Porter 

1790. 

Samuel  Brooks   . 

1729. 

Isaac  Warren 

1793. 

Stephen  Hall       . 

1733. 

Samuel  Buel 

1794. 

Edward  Brooks . 

1735. 

John  Bishop  .     . 

1798. 

Benjamin  Parker 

1743. 

Joseph  P.  Hall  . 

1804. 

Edward  Brooks . 

1750. 

Joseph  Manning 

1808. 

Thomas  Brooks . 

1756. 

William  Rogers 

1823. 

Aaron  Hall    .     . 

1761. 

Hcnrv  Porter 

1825. 

Thomas  Brooks  . 

1763. 

Turell  Tufts  .     . 

1827. 

Janus  Wyman  . 

1767. 

Timothy  Cotting 

1836. 

Jonathan  Patten 

1778. 

George  W.  Porter 

1837. 

Richard  Hall      . 

1786. 

NAMES   OF  THE  TOWN-CLERKS. 


J.  Wade  .... 
Stephen  Willis  .  . 
John  Bradstreet 
Stephen  Willis  .  . 
Thomas  Tufts  .  . 
William  Willis  .  . 
Benjamin  Willis  . 
Wdliam  Willis  . 
Ebenezer  Brooks,  jun, 
Benjamin  Willis  . 
Thomas  Seccomb  . 
Willis  Hall  .  .  . 
Richard  Hall  .  . 
Benjamin  Hall,  jun. 


1674. 
1675. 
1701. 
1708. 
1718. 
1719. 
1721. 
1726. 
1728. 
1730. 
1745. 
1767. 
1770. 
1783. 


Andrew  Hall     . 

1792. 

Nathaniel  Hall  . 

1794. 

Samuel  Swan     . 

1796. 

Nathaniel  Hall  . 

1797. 

Luther  Stearns  . 

1803. 

Nathaniel  Hall  . 

1806. 

Abner  Bartlett  . 

1810. 

Jonathan  Porter 

1819. 

Abner  Bartlett  . 

1820. 

William  Rogers 

1826. 

Abner  Bartlett  . 

1827. 

William  D.  Fitch 

1834. 

Oliver  Blake      . 

1836. 

Joseph  P.  Hall  . 

1846. 

GOVERNOR  BROOKS. 


I  would  close  this  account  of  the  civil  history  of  Medford 
with  a  biographical  notice  of  our  most  distinguished  civilian ; 
and,  lest  the  bias  of  a  life-long  veneration,  or  the  pride  of  near 
blood  relationship,  should  tempt  me  to  eulogies  beyond 
desert,  I  have  judged  it 'most  proper  to  take  the  account 
given  by  Dr.  John  Dixwell,  of  Boston,  Vice-President  of  the 
Massachusetts  Medical  Society,  who  knew  him  well :  — 

"John  Brooks  was  born  in  Medford,  Massachusetts,  in  May, 
1752.  His  father,  Capt.  Caleb  Brooks,  was  a  respectable  farmer, 
much  esteemed  and  beloved  by  his  friends  and  neighbors.  His 
mother  was  a  woman  of  superior  personal  charms,  and  of  remark- 
able talents,  for  one  of  her  advantages  and  station  in  life.  She 
early  discovered  in  her  son  those  faculties  which  were  destined  to 
raise  him  from  the  plough  to  the  first  station  in  society,  and  was 
solicitous  to  place  him  where  he  might  cultivate  them  to  advantage. 
We  are  probably  much  indebted  to  this  excellent  woman  for  the 


128  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

estimable  traits  of  character  displayed  in  the  son.  Our  matrons 
give  the  first  and  most  important  impress  of  our  moralists,  our 
statesmen,  and  our  heroes.  Happy  is  the  lot  of  those  who  have 
mothers  of  that  superior  excellence  which  rises  above  the  vain  show 
and  glitter  of  life,  whose  pleasures  centre  in  the  care  of  their  off- 
spring, in  forming  their  habits  and  directing  their  minds  to  elevated 
sentiments  and  noble  objects,  whose  greatest  pride  is  in  those 
splendid  ornaments,  —  the  virtues  displayed  by  their  children. 

"Mrs.  Brooks  had  an  excellent  friend  in  her  physician,  Dr. 
Simon  Tufts,  at  that  time  a  very  respectable  practitioner  in  Medford. 
His  high  standing  in  our  profession  is  evinced  by  his  being  enrolled 
in  the  list  of  our  members  previously  to  the  present  organization  of 
the  society,  when  its  number  was  limited  to  seventy,  and  none 
were  elected  fellows  but  those  who  were  the  most  distinguished 
practitioners  in  the  State.  Dr.  Tufts  observed  the  anxiety  of  the 
mother  to  elevate  her  son  to  a  superior  station  in  life,  and  encou- 
raged her  to  give  him  as  good  an  education  as  their  finances  would 
permit.  He  was  accordingly  placed  at  the  town-school,  where  he 
was  taught  the  rudiments  of  science,  and  the  Latin  and  Greek 
languages.  Such  was  his  proficiency  in  his  scholastic  studies,  and 
so  amiable  and  exemplary  was  his  character,  that  he  secured  the 
friendship  of  Dr.  Tufts,  who  took  him  into  his  family  at  the  age  of 
fourteen,  to  educate  him  for  his  profession.  The  skill  and  science 
of  the  instructor,  and  the  indefatigable  attention  of  the  pupil,  sup- 
plied the  deficiencies  arising  from  the  want  of  a  liberal  education. 
His  progress  in  medical  science,  and  in  judicious  practical  obser- 
vation, was  such  as  to  secure  the  confidence  and  respect  of  his 
master. 

"  During  his  pupilage,  the  amiable  traits  of  his  character  were 
more  fully  developed  ;  and  he  began  to  display  that  talent  and  fond- 
ness for  military  discipline  which  were  eminently  manifested  at  a 
subsequent  period,  and  contributed  to  establish  that  erect  and  manly 
port  for  which  he  was  so  remarkably  distinguished.  In  the  hours 
of  relaxation  from  study,  he  amused  himself  with  the  drill  and  exer- 
cise of  the  soldier.  His  manners  were  so  gentle  and  attractive 
that  he  was  the  delight  of  all  the  village  boys ;  they  collected  about 
him  as  the  chief  source  of  their  pleasures  and  amusements ;  he 
formed  them  into  a  company,  and  trained  and  exercised  them  in  all 
the  duties  of  military  discipline.  Dr.  Tuft's  yard  was  often  con- 
verted into  a  train-field,  and  displayed  in  miniature  all  '  the  pomp 
and  circumstance  of  glorious  war.'  These  juvenile  scenes  are  still 
recurred  to  with  pleasure,  by  those  who  were  engaged  in  them,  as 
the  happiest  moments  of  their  lives. 

"  He  continued,  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  under  the 
tuition  of  Dr.  Tufts,  who  then  advised  him  to  commence  the  prac- 
tice of  physic  in  the  town  of  Reading,  and  gave  him  a  high  recom- 
mendation to  the  people,  as  well  qualified  for  the  important  trust, 
and  worthy  of  their   fullest   confidence.     He  accordingly  settled 


GOVERNOR    BROOKS.  129 

there,  and  was  soon  after  married,  and  his  prospects  were  fair  for  a 
very  respectable  establishment  in  his  profession;  but  he  was  des- 
tined to  act  a  more  conspicuous  part  iu  the  great  drama  of  life. 

"The  storm  which  had  been  a  long  time  gathering ^in  our  politi- 
cal horizon  began  now  to  assume  a  most  portentous  aspect,  ready 
to  burst  over  the  country  witli  destructive  fury.  The  stout  hearts 
and  steady  minds  of  our  countrymen  had  been  preparing  for  the 
shock,  resolved  to  defend  themselves  against  its  tremendous  power. 
The  busy  hum  of  warlike  preparation  was  heard  through  the  coun- 
try. Companies  were  formed  in  almost  every  town,  who  held 
themselves  in  readiness  to  march  at  a  minute's  warning.  One  of 
these  companies  was  raised  in  Reading,  and  Brooks  was  elected  to 
command  it.  He  gave  all  the  attention  he  could  to  this  company, 
consistently  with  his  professional  duties ;  and  was  active  in  his 
exertions  to  drill  his  men,  and  infuse  into  them  that  heroic  spirit 
and  ardent  patriotism  which  animated  his  own  breast. 

"  He  was,  however,  much  perplexed  to  determine  what  course  he 
ought  to  pursue  in  this  momentous  crisis.  He  had  a  strong  attach- 
ment to  his  profession,  and  was  deeply  impressed  with  the  moral 
obligations  he  was  under  to  discharge  the  duties  of  it  with  fidelity. 
The  kindly  affections  of  his  heart  and  the  amenity  of  his  manners 
qualified  him  to  administer  relief  with  peculiar  acceptance,  and 
gave  the  fullest  pi-omise  of  a  skilful  and  popular  physician.  He 
had  just  entered  into  practice  with  flattering  prospects,  and  with  all 
the  ardor  of  a  youthful  mind.  He  had  already  many  patients 
afflicted  with  severe  disease.  Judge,  then,  with  what  reluctance  he 
listened  to  the  calls  of  patriotism,  urging  him  to  relinquish  these 
prospects  and  duties,  to  engage  in  a  contest  fraught  with  the  most 
appalling  dangers  to  himself  and  to  his  country.  On  the  other 
hand,  he  had  displayed  such  talents  as  a  military  disciplinarian, 
and  was  so  esteemed  and  beloved  by  those  who  were  under  his 
command,  and  by  all  who  were  connected  with  him  in  military 
duty,  that  he  was  thought  the  most  competent  to  take  the  lead  in 
their  affairs.  In  the  organization  of  a  regiment,  he  was  elected  a 
major.  This  honor  he  declined,  from  an  apprehension  that  it  might 
call  him  too  much  from  professional  duties,  and  involve  him  too  far 
in  the  military  and  political  movements  of  the  times ;  so  that  he 
would  finally  be  under  the  necessity  of  relinquishing  his  profession ; 
an  event  which  he  was  anxiously  desirous  to  avoid.  His  fellow- 
officers  would  not  accept  his  resignation,  and  unanimously  repeated 
their  solicitations  that  he  would  assume  the  duties  of  an  office  which 
he  was  so  well  qualified  to  sustain.  This  flattering  distinction  was 
enough  to  shake  his  resolution.  He  again  took  the  subject  into 
serious  consideration,  and  the  same  objections  presented  themselves 
to  his  mind.  He  then  determined  to  meet  his  brother-officers,  and 
absolutely  decline  the  honors  they  were  disposed  to  thrust  upon 
him. 

"He  was  thus  situated  on  the  memorable  19th  of  April,  1775, 
17 


130  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

when  the  news  arrived  that  a  detachment  of  the  British  army  had 
marched  to  Lexington  and  Concord.  His  ardent  patriotism  then 
rose  superior  to  all  other  considerations.  His  high-minded  spirit 
could  not  shrink  from  the  duties  which  devolved  upon  him  as  a 
military  commander.  He  ordered  out  his  company  with  prompt- 
ness, and  directed  them  to  proceed  on  the  route  to  Concord ;  and, 
having  made  such  provision  for  the  medical  relief  of  the  sick  under 
his  care  as  the  time  would  permit,  he  joined  his  gallant  corps  with 
all  possible  speed.  Having  arrived  in  the  vicinity  of  Concord,  he 
met  the  British  on  their  retreat,  with  the  cool  and  determined 
bravery  of  a  veteran,  and  made  such  a  disposition  of  his  men,  as 
to  secure  them  from  injury,  and  enable  them  to  annoy  the  enemy 
with  destructive  volleys  as  they  passed  a  narrow  defile.  He  then 
hung  on  their  rear  and  flanks,  in  conjunction  with  other  troops, 
until  they  arrived  at  Charlestown.  The  military  talents  and  calm 
courage  which  he  displayed  on  this  occasion  were  remarkable  in  a 
young  man  only  twenty-three  years  of  age,  who  had  never  seen 
a  battle.  It;  was  noticed  by  those  who  had  the  direction  of  public 
affairs,  and  he  soon  after  received  the  commission  of  a  major  in  the 
Continental  army. 

"  He  now  entered  on  the  duties  of  a  soldier  with  ardor,  and 
devoted  all  the  powers  of  his  mind  to  the  cause  of  his  country,  and 
the  profession  of  arms.  He  carried  into  the  service  a  mind  pure 
and  elevated,  and  ardent  in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge.  He  had 
a  high  sense  of  moral  rectitude,  which  governed  all  his  actions. 
Licentiousness  and  debauchery  were  strangers  to  his  breast ;  they 
fled  from  his  presence,  awed  by  his  superior  virtue.  His  gentle- 
manly deportment  and  unassuming  manners  secured  the  favor  of 
his  superiors  in  office,  and  rendered  him  the  delight  of  his  equals 
and  inferiors.  The  following  description  of  Agricola,  by  Tacitus, 
his  inimitable  biographer,  is  peculiarly  applicable  to  Brooks :  — 

"' Nee  Agricola  licenter,  more  juvenum,  qui  militiam  in  lasciviam 
vertunt,  neque  segniter,  ad  voluptates  et  commeatus,  titulum  tribu- 
natus  et  inscitiam  retulit :  sed  noscere  provinciam,  nosci  exercitui, 
discere  a  peritis,  sequi  optimos,  nihil  appetere  jactatione,  nihil  ob 
formidinem  recusare,  simulque  et  anxius  et  intentus  agere.' 

"Although  he  sought  no  enterprise  through  vain-glory,  his  active 
zeal  and  high  ambition  led  him  to  solicit  the  post  of  danger,  if  he 
could  thereby  render  useful  service  to  his  country. 

"  When  Gen.  Ward  had  determined  to  fortify  the  heights  of 
Charlestown,  and  arrangements  were  made  for  this  purpose,  finding 
that  he  was  not  included  in  the  detachment,  he  solicited  the  general 
to  permit  him  to  accompany  it;  and  his  request  was  granted.  He 
was  active  during  the  whole  night  of  the  16th  of  June,  in  throwing 
up  intrenchments,  in  reconnoitering  the  ground,  and  in  watching  the 
movements  of  the  enemy.  On  the  morning  of  the  17th,  when  it 
was  perceived  that  the  enemy  were  making  preparations  for*  an 
assault,  he  was  despatched  by  Col.  Prescott,  as  a  confidential  officer, 


GOVERNOR    BROOKS.  131 

to  inform  Gen.  Ward  of  the  movements,  and  to  represent  to  him 
tin-  importance  of  his  sending  reinforcements.  No  horse  could  be 
bad,  and  he  was  obliged  to  walk.  This  duty  prevented  his  being 
in  that  glorious  battle  which  has  immortalized  the  heroes  who  were 
engaged  in  it.  and  consecrated  the  ground  to  everlasting  fame. 

"Amidst  the  exulting  feelings  which  this  dear-bought  victory  of 
the  enemy  inspired,  our  infant  army  did  not  fail  to  profit  by  the 
experience  they  had  gained.  The  advantages  of  superior  discip- 
line in  the  enemy  were  apparent  to  every  one.  They  made  a  strong 
impression  on  the  minds  of  our  officers,  and  especially  on  that  of 
our  youthful  hero.  He  had  already  acquired  such  a  knowledge  of 
tactics,  that  he  had  been  consulted  by  superior  officers  on  a  system 
of  discipline  to  be  introduced  into  our  army.  He  now  applied  him- 
self with  renewed  diligence  to  this  important  part  of  his  duty,  and 
he  soon  acquired  a  high  reputation  as  a  disciplinarian.  The  corps 
he  commanded  were  distinguished  during  the  whole  war  for  the 
superiority  of  their  discipline,  evinced  by  their  gallant  conduct  in 
battle,  and  by  their  regular  movements  in  retreat.  He  was  second 
only  to  the  celebrated  Baron  Steuben,  in  his  knowledge  of  tactics. 
After  this  officer  joined  the  army  and  was  appointed  inspector- 
general,  we  find  that  Brooks  was  associated  with  him  in  the  arduous 
duty  of  introducing  a  uniform  system  of  exercise  and  manoeuvres 
into  the  army. 

"  He  assisted  in  fortifying  the  heights  of  Dorchester,  which  com- 
pelled the  British  to  evacuate  Boston.  He  was  very  efficient  in 
the  successful  retreat  from  Long  Island.  He  acted  a  distinguished 
part  in  the  battle  of  White  Plains ;  and,  when  the  detachment  of 
our  army  was  overpfcwed  by  numbers,  his  regiment,  of  which  he 
was  the  most  efficient  officer,  so  ably  covered  the  retreat,  that  it 
received  the  distinguished  acknowledgments  of  Gen.  Washington 
for  its  gallant  conduct. 

"In  the  year  1777,  he  was'promoted  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant- 
colonel  in  the  eighth  Massachusetts  regiment ;  the  command  of 
which  devolved  on  him,  in  consequence  of  the  sickness  of  his 
colonel.  In  the  spring  of  this  year,  he  was  ordered  to  join  the 
northern  army,  and  he  took  an  active  part  in  those  movements 
and  battles  which  terminated  in  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Burgoyne. 
In  short,  the  capture  of  that  army  may  be  attributed  in  no  small 
degree  to  his  gallant  conduct  on  the  7th  of  October,  in  the  battle  of 
Saratoga.  It  is  well  known  how  ably  he  turned  the  right  of  the 
enemy ;  with  what  fearless  intrepidity  he  led  on  his  regiment  to 
storm  their  intrenchments,  entering  them  at  the  head  of  his  men, 
with  sword  in  hand,  and  putting  to  rout  the  veteran  German 
troops  which  defended  them;  and  with  what  firmness  he  main- 
tained this  post,  which  he  had  so  gallantly  gained,  notwithstanding 
the  utmost  efforts  to  dislodge  him.  This  action  compelled  the 
enemy  to  change  his  position,  and  the  field  was  then  open  for  Gen. 
Gates  to  surround  and  capture  his  whole  army. 


132  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

"On  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne,  Col.  Brooks  was  Ordered  to 
join  the  army  under  Gen.  Washington,  and  soon  after  went  into 
winter  quarters  at  Valley  Forge,  and,  in  common  with  the  army, 
suffered  all  those  privations  and  hardships,  which  required  more 
heroism  to  endure  than  the  most  severe  and  hloody  battles.  How 
great  are  our  obligations  to  those  wonderful  patriots,  whom  neither 
nakedness  nor  disease,  nor  famine,  nor  the  sword,  could  dishearten  ! 

"  To  follow  our  hero  through  all  his  valuable  and  laborious  mili- 
tary services  would  be  to  give  a  minute  history  of  our  Revolutionary 
"War ;  for  there  was  scarcely  any  important  services  performed  in 
the  northern  and  central  operations  of  the  army  in  which  he  did 
not  act  a  conspicuous  part.  To  describe  these,  is  the  province  of 
the  historian :  we  allude  only  to  those  remarkable  events  which 
serve  to  illustrate  his  character. 

"At  the  conclusion  of  the  war,  our  army  had  a  still  more  severe 
ordeal  to  pass  through  than  the  battles  and  privations  they  had 
endured.  It  remained  for  them  to  subdue  their  own  passions  and 
resentments,  and  to  make  this  last  and  most  noble  sacrifice  for  the 
welfare  of  their  country.  The  pay  of  the  army  was  greatly  in 
arrear ;  and  most  of  the  officers  had  spent,  in  their  country's  ser- 
vice, all  they  had  owned  and  all  they  could  borrow.  Congress  had 
no  adequate  funds  for  their  payment,  and  it  was  deficient  in  the 
power  of  creating  them.  In  this  deplorable  state  of  things,  inflam- 
matory anonymous  letters  were  circulated  through  the  army, 
founded  on  the  most  plausible  reasons,  exciting  them  to  retain  their 
arms,  and  to  take  by  force  what  was  due  to  them  in  right.  The 
apparent  justice  of  this  measure  concealed  from  the  unreflecting 
the  horrible  consequences  which  must  have  ensued  from  it.  For- 
tunately for  our  country,  there  were  many  influential  officers  in  the 
army,  of  that  purity  of  heart,  that  soundness  of  judgment  and 
elevated  patriotism,  which  led  them  to  view  with  abhorrence  this 
fatal  expedient ;  and  it  is  highly  honorable  to  Col.  Brooks  that  he 
was  among  the  first  who  opposed  it.  He  had  taken  measures  to 
this  effect  in  his  own  regiment  before  the  opinions  of  Washington 
were  known,  and  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  finding  that  his  senti- 
ments were  in  perfect  accordance  with  those  of  the  Father  of  his 
country.  He  was  honored  with  his  most  grateful  acknowledg- 
ments and  full  confidence.  His  brother-officers  were  so  strongly 
impressed  with  his  wisdom  and  prudence,  that  he  was  appointed 
one  of  the  Committee  which  finally  made  an  adjustment  with  Con- 
gress, and  allayed  that  dreadful  excitement.  By  the  influence  of 
these  magnanimous  patriots,  the  army  gave  this  distinguished  proof 
of  their  devotion  to  the  liberties  of  their  country ;  and,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  Washington,  we  may  say,  '  had  this  day  been  wanting,  the 
world  had  never  seen  the  last  stage  of  perfection  to  which  human 
nature  is  capable  of  attaining.' 

"  After  the  army  was  disbanded,  Col.  Brooks  returned  to  private 
life,  rich  in  the  laurels  he  had  won,  in  the  affections  of  his  fellow- 


GOVERNOR    BROOKS.  133 

soldiers,  and  in  the  esteem  of  the  wise  and  good.  He  was  not  only- 
free  from  the  vices  incident  to  a  military  life,  but,  what  was  remark- 
able, he  bad  acquired  more  elevated  sentiments  of  morality  and 
religion,  lie  was  received  in  his  native  town  with  all  the  kindness, 
the  congratulations  and  attentions  which  love  and  friendship  could 
elicit,  or  respect  inspire.  He  was  rich  in  honor  and  glory;  but  he 
had  nothing  to  meet  tbe  claims  of  his  beloved  family  but  the  caresses 
of  an  affectionate  heart. 

"  His  old  friend,  Dr.  Tufts,  being  infirm  and  advanced  in  life, 
was  desirous  of  relinquishing  his  practice  into  the  hands  of  his 
favorite  pupil,  whom  he  thought  so  worthy  ^f  confidence.  His 
fellow-townsmen  responded  to  the  wishes  of  his  patron.  He  ac- 
cordingly recommenced  the  practice  of  physic,  under  the  most 
favorable  auspices,  in  Medford  and  the  neighboring  towns.  He 
was  soon  after  elected  a  fellow  of  this  society,  and  was  one  of  its 
most  valuable  and  respected  members.  On  the  extension  and  new 
organization  of  the  society,  in  the  year  1803,  he  was  elected  a 
counsellor,  and  continued  to  discharge  the  duties  of  this  office  with 
fidelity  until  he  was  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth.  He  was 
then  discontinued  at  his  own  request.  In  the  year  1808,  by  the 
appointment  of  the  board  of  counsellors,  he  delivered  an  anniver- 
sary discourse  on  Pneumonia,  which  has  been  published,  and 
evinces  a  mind  well  stored  with  medical  science  and  correct  practi- 
cal observation. 

"  On  his  retiring  from  the  chair  of  state,  he  was  again  chosen 
counsellor,  with  the  view  of  electing  him  President  of  our  society. 
It  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  expatiate  on  the  pride  and  satisfaction 
we  derived  from  his  accepting  this  honor.  Your  own  feelings  will 
best  convey  to  you  the  height  of  the  honor  which  he  reflected  on 
our  society.  That  he  felt  a  deep  interest  in  our  prosperity,  we 
have  ample  evidence  in  his  so  kindly  remembering  us  in  his  will. 

"  As  a  physician,  he  ranked  in  the  first  class  of  practitioners.  He 
possessed  in  an  eminent  degree  those  qualities  which  were  calcu- 
lated to  render  him  the  most  useful  in  his  professional  labors,  and 
the  delight  of  those  to  whom  he  administered  relief.  His  manners 
were  dignified,  courteous,  and  benign.  He  was  sympathetic, 
patient,  and  attentive.  His  kind  offices  were  peculiarly  acceptable 
from  the  felicitous  manner  in  which  he  performed  them.  His  mind 
was  well  furnished  with  scientific  and  practical  knowledge.  He 
was  accurate  in  his  investigations,  and  clear  in  his  discernment. 
He,  therefore,  rarely  failed  in  forming  a  true  diagnosis.  If  he  were 
not  so  bold  and  daring  as  some  in  the  administration  of  remedies, 
it  was  because  his  judgment  and  good  sense  led  him  to  prefer  erring 
on  the  side  of  prudence  rather  than  on  that  of  rashness.  He 
watched  the  operations  of  nature,  and  'never  interfered,  unless  it 
was  obvious  he  could  aid  and  support  her.  He  was  truly  the 
'  Hierophant  of  nature,'  studying  her  mysteries  and  obeying  her 
oracles. 


134  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

"  In  his  practice,  he  added  dignity  to  his  profession  by  his  elevated 
and  upright  conduct.  His  lofty  spirit  could  not  stoop  to  the  empiri- 
cal arts  which  are  too  often  adopted  to  obtain  a  temporary  ascen- 
dency. He  soared  above  the  sordid  consideration  of  the  property  he 
should  accumulate  by  his  professional  labors.  Like  the  good  and 
great  Boerhaave,  he  considered  the  poor  his  best  patients ;  for  God 
was  their  paymaster.  In  short,  he  was  the  conscientious,  the  skil- 
ful, and  benevolent  physician,  —  the  grace  and  ornament  of  our 
profession. 

"  His  mind,  however,  was  not  so  exclusively  devoted  to  his  pro- 
fessional duties  astto  prevent  his  taking  a  deep  interest  in  the 
affairs  of  state.  He  had  contributed  so  largely  towards  establishing 
the  independence  of  his  country,  and  had  exhibited  such  sincere 
devotion  to  its  welfare,  that  his  countrymen,  who  have  ever  been 
distinguished  for  the  acuteness  of  their  discernment  in  judging  of 
public  men  and  measures,  were  always  ready  to  display  their  con- 
fidence in  him.  They  felt  an  assurance  that  they  might  safely 
repose  on  his  conscientious  integrity,  wisdom,  and  patriotism.  He 
was  consequently  called  to  fill  numerous  offices  of  high  importance 
in  the  State. 

"  He  was  for  many  years  major-general  of  the  militia  of  his 
county,  and  established  in  his  division  such  excellent  discipline, 
and  infused  into  it  such  an  admirable  spirit  of  emulation,  that  it  was 
a  most  brilliant  example  for  the  militia  of  the  State.  In  the  insur- 
rection of  1786,  his  division  was  very  efficient  in  their  protection  of 
the  courts  of  justice,  and  in  their  support  of  the  government  of  the 
State.  At  this  time,  Gen.  Brooks  represented  his  town  in  general 
court,  and  he  gave  support  to  the  firm  and  judicious  measures  of 
Gov.  Bowdoin  for  suppressing  that  alarming  rebellion.  .  He  was  a 
delegate  in  the  State  convention  for  the  adoption  of  the  federal 
constitution,  and  was  one  of  its  most  zealous  advocates.  After  the 
establishment  of  the  federal  government,  he  was  the  second  mar- 
shal appointed  by  Washington  for  this  district,  and'  afterwards 
received  further  evidence  of  his  confidence  and  approbation  ^by 
being  appointed  inspector  of  the  revenue.  He  was  successively 
elected  to  the  senate  and  executive  council  of  the  State.  He  was 
appointed  by  the  acute  and  discriminating  Gov.  Strong  as  his  adju- 
tant-general, in  that  perilous  crisis  of  our  affairs,  the  late  war  with 
England.  The  prudence  and  discretion  with  which  he  discharged 
this  arduous  duty  will  be  long  remembered  by  his  grateful  country- 
men. 

"  These  multifarious  and  laborious  public  services  were  performed 
with  so  much  punctuality  and  ability,  and  with  such  dignity  and 
urbanity,  that,  on  the  retirement  of  Gov.  Strong  from  the  chair  of 
State,  wise  and  discreet  legislators  from  all  parts  of  the  Common- 
wealth selected  him  as  the  most  suitable  candidate  for  that  high 
and  responsible  office.  It  will  be  recollected  how  forcibly  every 
judicious  mind  was  impressed  with  the  excellence  of  the  selection, 


GOVERNOR   BROOKS.  135 

and  bow  strongly  the  public  suffrages  confirmed  that  opinion.  His 
very  name  seemed  to  disarm  party  spirit  with  talismanic  power; 
for  many,  who  bad  never  acted  with  his  political  friends,  prided 
themselves  in  testifying  their  unlimited  confidence  in  him. 

"  It  is  fresh  in  your  memories  with  what  trembling  apprehensions 
he  shrunk  from  the  loftly  attitude  of  the  chair  of  State,  and  yet, 
when  placed  there,  with  what  singular  ease  and  dignity  he  presided, 
and  with  what  signal  ability  he  discharged  its  various  imporant 
duties.  His  government  was  firm  and  decided,  yet  it  was  so  mild 
and  gentle*  that  its  influence  was  chiefly  perceptible  in  his  happy 
facility  of  allaying  party  spirit,  and  all  the  angry  passions  of  our 
nature.  It  was  like  that  of  a  beloved  and  revered  parent,  whom 
all  are  disposed  to  honor  and  obey. 

"  Amidst  these  high  military  and  political  honors,  which  his  fel- 
low-citizens took  delight  in  bestowing  on  him,  almost  every  institu- 
tion of  a  literary,  religious,  patriotic,  benevolent,  or  professional 
character  seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  conferring  their  highest 
honors  on  him.  In  1781,  Yale  College  conferred  on  him  the 
honorary  degree  of  A.M.  Harvard  University  acknowledged  the 
value  of  his  literary  acquirements,  by  conferring  on  him  the  degree 
of  A.M.,  in  the  year  1787  ;  and,  in  1810,  the  degree  of  M.D. ;  and,  in 
1817,  the  highest  honor  of  that  seminary,  the  degree  of  LL.D. 

"  The  Society  of  Cincinnati  recognized  him  as  one  of  their  most 
distinguished  members.  He  was  elected  to  deliver  the  first  oration 
before  them,  on  the  4th  of  July,  1787 ;  and,  on  the  death  of  Gen. 
Lincoln,  their  first  president,  Gen.  Brooks  was  elected  to  succeed 
him. 

"  He  was  a  member  of  the  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences.  He 
was  president  of  the  Washington  Monument  Association,  of  the 
Bunker-hill  Monument  Association,  and  of  the  Bible  Society  of 
Massachusetts. 

"  Having  faithfully  and  ably  discharged  the  duties  of  chief  magis- 
trate for  seven  successive  years,  he  expressed  his  determination  to 
retire  from  the  cares  and  anxieties  of  public  life.  How  great  were 
the  public  regrets,  and  how  gladly  would  a  large  majority  of  his 
fellow-citizens  have  retained  his  valuable  services !  but  they  fore- 
bore  urging  him  to  any  further  sacrifices  for  the  good  of  his  country. 
He  retired  to  private  life  with  dignity,  and  with  the  love  and  bless- 
ings of  a  grateful  people. 

"  Having  imperfectly  traced  the  brilliant  path  of  his  public 
career,  let  us  for"  a  moment  contemplate  Gov.  Brooks  in  his  private 
character;  and  perhaps  we  may  discover  the  true  source  of  all  his 
greatness,  the  charm  which  bound  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen  to 
him  in  ties  so  strong.  He  possessed  a  heart  free  from  all  guile, 
and  every  inordinate  selfish  feeling,  —  an  evenness  of  temper  and 
sweetness  of .  disposition.  His  discordant  passions  —  for  we  pre- 
sume he  had  them,  being  human  —  were  kept  in  complete  subjec- 
tion to  his  virtues.     He  had  a  peculiar  composure  and  complacency 


136  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

of  countenance  ;  and  the  delicacy  and  courteousness  of  his  manners 
were  uncommonly  attractive.  But,  above  all,  his  conduct  was  regu- 
lated by  the  influence  of  that  pure  morality  derived  from  our  holy 
religion,  which  was  impressed  deeply  on  his  mind  at  an  early  period 
of  life. 

"To  those  who  contemplate  his  fearless  intrepidity  in  the  field  of 
battle,  or  have  observed  the  ease  and  dignity  of  his  deportment  on 
the  military  parade,  or  in  the  chair  of  State,  it  may  appear  incredi- 
ble that  this  brave  man  possessed  an  uncommon  share  of  diffidence  ; 
but  to  those  who  have  approached  him  nearly,  it  is  well  known  that 
this  was  a  predominant  trait  in  his  character.  This  quality,  so  rare 
in  little  minds,  is  seldom  wanting  in  great  ones ;  but  it  is  scarcely 
ever  so  paramount  as  it  was  in  our  departed  friend.  It  was  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  make  use  of  some  degree  of  finesse  to  induce 
him  to  accept  any  important  office.  This  great  reluctance  in  as- 
suming responsibility,  sometimes  arises  from  inactivity,  or  a  love 
of  ease  :  not  so  in  him  we  would  commemorate  ;  for  whatever  might 
be  his  situation,  he  never  was  idle. 

"  The  mind  of  Gov.  Brooks  was  clear  in  its  perceptions,  and  dis- 
criminating in  its  judgment ;  it  was  active,  ardent,  and  industrious 
in  the  pursuit  of  every  valuable  attainment,  and  powerful  in  the 
application  of  those  attainments  for  the  benefit  of  others.  Although 
his  mind  shrunk  from  observation  with  the  delicate  excitability  of 
the  sensitive  plant,  it  was  like  the  oak  in  sustaining  the  pressure  of 
every  duty  to  his  friends  or  his  country. 

"  In  his  relation  to  his  native  town,  he  completely  reversed  the 
maxim,  that  a  prophet  has  no  honor  in  his  own  country ;  for  the 
inhabitants  of  Medford  idolized  him.  They  knew  his  worth,  and 
fully  appreciated  it.  He  was  truly  their  friend  and  benefactor. 
He  took  so  deep  an  interest  in  all  their  concerns,  let  their  station  in 
life  be  ever  so  humble,  that  they  could  always  approach  him  with 
ease  and  confidence.  They  referred  to  him  all  their  disputes  ;  and 
so  judicious  were  his  decisions,  that  he  had  the  rare  felicity  to  satisfy 
all  parties,  and  to  reconcile  them  to  bonds  of  amity.  It  was  ^ob- 
served by  an  eminent  lawyer  who  resided  there,  that  he  had  no 
professional  business  in  Medford ;  for  Gov.  Brooks  prevented  all 
contentions  in  the  law.  In  addition  to  these  intrinsic  services,  he 
was  the  grace  and  the  ornament  of  their  social  circles,  and  seemed 
to  fill  the  measure  of  their  enjoyments." 

There  are  a  few  illustrative  facts  known  to  the  contempo- 
raries of  Gov.  Brooks  in  Medford,  which  may  be  added  to 
to  Dr.  DixwelPs  notice. 

He  had  a  real  love  of  pithy  anecdotes,  and  delighted  to 
tell  them  ;  and,  though  he  was  tediously  long  in  cracking  the 
shell,  we  always  found  the  kernel  sweet.  He  never  volun- 
tarily made  his  successes  in  the  sick-chamber  or  battle-field 


GOVBRNOB    BROOKS.  137 

or  cabinet  a  topic  of  conversation.  He  was  remarkably  fond 
of  society,  and  loved  to  see  the  old  and  young  together.  In 
the  street,  he  never  passed  any  acquaintance  without  a  friendly 
recognition ;  and  he  has  taken  me  up  a  hundred  times,  when 
a  schoolboy,  to  give  me  a  ride  in  his  chaise.  He  liked  to 
work  on  his  land ;  and,  as  many  of  his  horticultural  experi- 
ments were  suggested  by  books,  he  often  found  them  of  small 
pecuniary  profit.  In  the  army,  he  played  chess  with  his 
friend  Kosciusko,  and  occasionally  in  Medford  enjoyed  a 
social  game. 

He  said  that  the  most  fatiguing  day  he  ever  spent  was  the 
19th  of  April,  1775.  That,  we  apprehend,  was  the  auroral 
hour  of  his  life.  He  was  greater  than  his  means.  How 
many  men  are  less  ! 

Rev.  Mr.  Foster  says  :  — 

"On  the  morning  of  the  19th  of  April,  just  at  sunrise,  alarm- 
guns  were  fired.  The  regulars  had  gone  to  Concord.  I  ran 
directly  to  Major  Brooks,  and  asked  if  he  were  going  to  Concord, 
and  when  ?     '  Immediately '  was  the  answer." 

Withjiis  minute-men,  he  pursued  the  enemy  to  their  boats 
at  Charlestown.     Dr.  Ripley  says  :  — 

"  As  the  enemy  passed  the  road  from  Bedford,  they  met  a  body 
of  minute-men,  commanded  by  Major  John  Brooks.  A  little  below 
Bedford  Road  there  was  a  sharp  action,  and  several  of  the  British 
were  killed." 

Rev.  Mr.  Foster  says  :  — 

"  The  enemy  faced  about  suddenly,  and  fired  a  volley  of  musketry 
upon  us.  They  overshot.  The  fire  was  immediately  returned,  and 
two  British  soldiers  fell  dead  in  the  road  near  the  brook." 

Col.  Phinney  says  :  — 

"  A  little  to  the  eastward  of  the  village,  they  received  a  heavy 
fire  from  the  Reading  minute-men,  under  Capt  John  Brooks." 

An  instance  of  his  sturdy  Spartan-like  directness  of  pur- 
pose and  warm  zeal  was  seen  in  his  volunteering  to  march 
for  the  relief  of  Fort  Stanwix  (now  Rome),  at  the  head  of  the 
Mohawk :  — 

"It  was  besieged,  August,  1777,  by  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
British   and  Indians,  under   Col.   St.  Leger.      Gen.   Herkemer, 
18 


138  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

advancing  to  its  aid,  had  been  killed,  and  his  troops  dispersed.  At 
a  council  of  officers,  it  was  objected  to  weaken  the  main  army  at 
Saratoga  by  sending  away  any  of  the  regular  troops.  Gen.  Schuy- 
ler, much  depressed  and  excited,  said  he  would  '  beat  up  for  volun- 
teers the  next  day,  if  he  could  get  men  by  no  other  means,'  and 
asked  for  a  brigadier  to  command  them.  The  next  day  the  drum 
beat  for  volunteers,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Brooks  volunteered  with  his 
regiment." 

How  noble  to  see  a  man  thus  putting  his  shoulder  under 
a  forsaken  cause ! 

He  considered  his  efforts  at  Saratoga  as  the  most  effective 
in  his  military  career.  No  skill  or  bravery  during  the  war 
exceeded  his  on  that  occasion.     The  historian  says  :  — 

"On  the  left  of  Arnold's  detachment,  Jackson's  regiment  of 
Massachusetts,  then  led  by  Lieut.  Col.  Brooks,  was  still  more  suc- 
cessful. It  turned  the  right  of  the  encampment,  and  carried  by 
storm  the  works  occupied  by  the  German  reserve.  Lieut.  Brayman 
was  killed ;  and  Brooks  maintained  the  ground  he  had  gained. 
This  advantage  of  the  Americans  was  decisive." 

Another  historian,  member  of  the  army,  says :  — 

"  The  capture  of  Gen.  Burgoyne  and  his  army  may  be  attributed 
in  no  small  degree  to  the  gallant  conduct  of  Col.  Brooks  and  his 
regiment,  on  the  7th  of  October,  in  the  battle  at  Saratoga." 

The  same  author,  an  eye-witness,  further  says  :  — 

"  The  confidence  which  "Washington  reposed  in  him  was  shown 
on  many  occasions,  and  particularly  in  calling  .him  to  his  councils  in 
that  terrible  moment  when,  at  Newburg,  in  March,  1783,  a  conspi- 
racy of  some  of  the  officers,  excited  by  the  publication  of  inflammatory 
anonymous  letters,  had  well  nigh  disgraced  the  army,  and  ruined  the 
country.  On  this  occasion,  the  Commander-in-Chief,  to  whom  this 
day  was  the  most  anxious  moment  of  his  life,  rode  up  to  Col.  Brooks 
with  intent  to  ascertain  how  the  officers  stood  affected.  Finding  him, 
as  he  expected,  to  be  sound,  he  requested  him  to  keep  his  officers 
within  quarter  to  prevent  them  from  attending  the  insurgent  meet- 
ing. Brooks  replied :  '  Sir,  I  have  anticipated  your  wishes,  and 
my  orders  are  given.'  Washington,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  took 
him  by  the  hand,  and  said:  '  Col.  Brooks,  this  is  just  what  I 

EXPECTED  FROM  YOU.'  " 

At  the  end  of  the  war,  he  retired,  a  laurelled  hero  of  the 
revolution,  to  private  life,  and  found  himself  so  poor  that  he 
opened  a  small  shop  in  a  building  next  the  bridge,  on  the 


GOVERNOR    BROOKS.  139 

west  side  of  Main  Street.  He  did  not  succeed  in  this  ;  but 
he  bore  his  poverty  with  a  hero's  resolution  to  conquer  it ; 
and  conquer  he  did. 

"When  hist  a  candidate  for  Governor  in  1816,  Medford 
gave  two  hundred  and  thirty-eight  votes  for  him,  and  twenty- 
eight  for  Mr.  Dexter.  More  than  twenty-eight  votes  against 
him  were  never  given  in  Medford  during  the  seven  years  he 
Mas  Governor. 

The  uniformity  of  his  example  in  attending  public  worship 
had  a  powerful  influence  on  the  people  of  Medford.  He  was 
never  absent,  morning  or  afternoon,  when  he  could  be  pre- 
sent ;  and  his  attention  to  the  preacher  was  profound.  He 
often  made  an  abstract  of  the  sermon.  His  favorite  moral 
writer  was  Paley  ;  and  he  used  to  speak  of  his  Horce  Paulina 
as  an  "unanswerable  book."  When  the  controversy  between 
the  Calvinists  and  Unitarians  arose  in  1820,  he  took  side 
with  the  latter,  but  never  liked  the  extremes  of  either  sect. 
For  many  years  he  had  wished  to  make  a  public  profession  of 
his  faith  in  Christianity  ;  but  had  been  deterred  by  the  minis- 
ter's custom  of  calling  upon  each  candidate  to  express  belief 
in  certain  doctrines,  some  of  which  doctrines  he  did  not 
believe.  In  1817,  he  had  come  to  the  conclusion  that  he 
would  announce  to  Dr.  Osgood  his  convictions,  and  request 
him  to  suppress  the  objectionable  sentence,  and  thus  admit 
him.  The  sentence  was  this  :  "  Sensible  of  the  depravity  of 
the  human  heart,  your  own  proneness  to  sin  and  inability  to 
that  which  is  good,  you  promise,"  &c.  He  did  not  believe 
in  man's  inability  to  that  which  is  good,  and  therefore  he 
wished  this  omitted.  Dr.  Osgood  knew  so  well  his  force  of 
mind  and  purity  of  life  that  he  yielded  to  his  wishes ;  and 
on  the  22d  of  March,  1818,  the  Governor  of  the  Common- 
wealth declared  in  public  his  belief  in  the  divine  origin  of 
Christianity,  and  took  his  seat  at  the  table  of  the  Lord.  We 
who  were  present,  and  witnessed  that  act  of  dedication,  can 
never  forget  the  solemnity  of  the  scene.  There  was  so  much 
of  Socrates  and  Solon  about  him,  that  Christianity  did  not 
seem  strange  to  him.  He  lived  as  he  professed.  It  seemed 
to  be  his  youthful  resolution  to  make  his  life  worthy  the  con- 
templation of  his  most  elevated  moments  in  old  age.  Some 
years  after,  he  was  chosen  deacon  of  the  church,  but  declined 
on  account  of  age. 

We  may  record  here  an  illustration  of  the  truthfulness  and 
depth   of   his   family  affections ;    an  illustration  which   the 


140  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

writer  of  this  witnessed.  He  said  once  to  his  first  cousin, 
Mrs.  Jonathan  Brooks,  "  I  wish  to  make  a  bargain  with  you. 
I  will  promise  to  be  with  you  when  you  are  sick,  and  I  wish 
you  to  promise  to  be  with  me  when  I  am  sick."  She  did  so 
promise  ;  and,  after  several  sicknesses,  she  performed  the  last 
sad  duty  of  closing  his  eyes  in  death.  A  very  dangerous 
illness  of  Mrs.  Brooks  occurred,  while  he,  as  Governor,  was 
engaged  at  Boston  by  the  sitting  of  the  Legislature.  In  the 
coldest  part  of  the  winter,  he  rode  out  each  day  in  his  chaise 
to  see  her.  As  she  became  more  ill,  his  attendance  increased, 
and  his  solicitude  was  that  of  a  brother.  One  evening  he 
arrived  at  eight  o'clock  ;  and,  having  found  her  more  ill  than 
ever,  he  jumped  into  his  chaise,  drove  quickly  to  his  house, 
and  brought  back  a  bottle  of  particular  old  wine.  He  asked 
to  go  to  the  kitchen  fire ;  her  son  conducted  him  there  ;  and, 
having  opened  the  wine,  he  placed  himself  before  the  fire, 
and  there  made  a  porringer  full  of  wine-whey.  When  it 
was  done,  he  waited  to  have  it  cool.  He  would  not  accept 
of  any  help.  He  took  out  a  few  spoonfuls,  and  said,  "  Give 
your  mother  that."  Her  son  took  it  to  her  with  a  prayer  on 
his  lips.  In  ten  minutes  after  she  had  taken  it,  she  whispered 
to  him,  "  I  shall  recover."  With  a  heart  almost  bursting,  he 
rushed  to  the  Governor  to  announce  the  tidings.  A  tear 
started  in  his  eye :  and  he  said,  "  Thank  God,  we  shall  have 
her  again."  I  felt  at  that  moment  as  if  I  should  fall  down, 
and  worship  him  as  the  saviour  of  my  mother. 

When  Gen.  Lafayette  came  to  Massachusetts  in  1824,  he 
took  an  early  opportunity  to  dine  with  his  friend  and  fellow- 
officer,  then  living  in  dignified  retirement  at  Medford.  Re- 
spect for  the  illustrious  stranger,  and  love  for  their  patriotic 
townsman,  induced  the  inhabitants  to  make  ample  prepara- 
tions for  receiving  the  guest.  On  Saturday,  Aug.  28,  1824, 
the  General  entered  Medford,  at  half-past  two  o'clock,  P.  m., 
from  West  Cambridge,  attended  by  a  few  select  friends.  The 
notice  of  his  coming  was  short ;  nevertheless,  the  ladies,  with 
their  characteristic  enchantment,  made  flowers  from  the  gar- 
dens, and  evergreens  from  the  fields,  fly  at  their  bidding,  and 
arrange  themselves  into  wreaths  of  beauty  and  crowns  of 
honor,  while  the  young  men  spanned  the  streets  with  arches, 
and  filled  the  air  with  flags.  When  he  crossed  the  Wear 
Bridge,  the  bells  began  to  ring,  and  the  cannon  to  thunder. 
The  houses  were  filled  with  eager  and  happy  gazers,  waving 
handkerchiefs  in  the  joy  of  recognition.     The  children  of  the 


GOVERNOR    BROOKS.  141 

town,  in  uniform,  were  stationed  in  order  to  salute  him,  and 
the  huzzas  of  the  crowded  streets  testified  to  the  triumph 
and  gladness  of  the  occasion.  Opposite  the  front  door  of  the 
meeting-house  of  the  first  parish,  a  graceful  arch  spanned 
the  street,  having  this  inscription,  "Welcome  to  our  hills 
and  Brooks."  And  there,  under  a  canopy  of  trees,  garlands, 
and  flowers,  the  Selectmen  of  the  town  met  the  General  and 
his  cortege ;  and  they  thus  addressed  him,  by  Turell  Tufts, 
Esq.,  their  Chairman  :  — 

"  General  Lafayette,  —  The  Selectmen  of  Medford,  as  represen- 
tatives of  the  town,  deem  it  a  grateful  and  honorable  part  of  their 
duty  to  bid  you  welcome. 

"  They  are  proud,  sir,  that  Medford  is  the  birthplace  of  one  of 
your  companions  in  arms ;  a  man  who,  by  his  bravery  in  the  field, 
his  patriotism  and  civic  virtues,  contributed  to  acquire  as  much  of 
glory  to  our  country  as  honor  to  himself. 

"  We  rejoice,  sir,  that  you  both  live  to  meet  again  and  to  enjoy 
together  the  consolations  fairly  derived  from  your  virtuous  and 
heroic  deeds. 

'•  The  minds  of  our  countrymen  traced  your  course  with  anxious 
solicitude  through  the  French  Revolution,  from  your  first  success  in 
the  cause  of  liberty  until  the  spirit  of  oppression  confined  you  in  a 
dungeon ;  and  their  hearts  were  gladdened  when,  by  the  influence 
of  our  great  and  good  Washington,  their  friend  was  at  last  set 
free.  In  the  rich  harvest  you  are  now  gathering  of  the  expressions 
of  interest  and  gratitude  of  this  numerous  people,  whose  freedom 
and  happiness  your  exertions  so  essentially  contributed  to  establish, 
we  hope  you  will  find  some  compensation  for  all  your  toils,  sacrifices, 
and  sufferings ;  and  we  feel  much  complacency,  that  in  this  respect 
you  have  gained  so  complete  a  triumph  over  the  menarchs  of  the 
world. 

"  Again,  sir,  we  bid  you  a  most  cordial  welcome ;  and  hope  the 
testimonials  of  approbation  you  are  receiving  from  every  heart  and 
every  tongue  will  for  ever  remain  an  instructive  lesson  to  mankind, 
—  that  patriots  who  endure  faithfully  to  the  end  shall  not  lose 
their  reward." 

To  this,  the  General  replied,  in  substance,  as  follows  :  — 

"Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen,  —  I  am  most  happy,  in  visiting 
the  town  of  my  old  brother-soldier  and  friend,  General  Brooks,  to 
be  received  with  so  kind  a  welcome.  You  speak  of  '  some  com- 
pensation.' Compensation !  Sir,  the  smallest  part  of  the  delight 
which  I  have  experienced  would  more  than  repay  me  for  all  suffer- 
ings past  or  to  come. 

"I  beg  you  to  accept  my  grateful  acknowledgments  for  this 
cheering  welcome." 


142  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

The  procession  soon  arrived  at  General  Brooks's  house, 
escorted  by  the  Medford  Light  Infantry ;  and,  after  the 
introduction  of  a  few  friends,  dinner  was  announced. 

The  dinner  was  a  private  one,  in  the  Governor's  house, 
and  about  twenty  only  were  present.  There  was  a  witty 
discussion  at  table  about  the  origin  of  the  word  hurrah. 
General  Lafayette  said,  "  I  know  not  whence  it  came ;  but, 
in  Massachusetts,  I  have  learned  where  it  has  got  to."  Of 
all  the  persons  at  that  table,  the  writer  of  this  alone  sur- 
vives. 

The  closing  sickness  of  the  patriot  was  neither  long  nor 
full  of  pain.  He  bore  it  with  calm  acquiescence  ;  and  spoke 
of  it  with  gratitude,  as  affording  him  an  opportunity  for 
reviewing  his  career,  and  for  striking  the  balance  in  life's 
great  ledger.  He  said  to  his  cousin :  "  My  case  is  beyond 
physicians.  I  have  received  my  orders  :  I  am  ready  to 
march."  The  lamp  of  religion  was  within  him  trimmed  and 
burning,  and  he  believed  that  his  life  was  hid  with  Christ  in 
God.  Never  has  there  died  among  us  a  man  so  widely 
known,  so  highly  honored,  so  truly  beloved,  or  so  deeply 
lamented.  • 

His  printed  compositions  were  few.  The  first  public  ora- 
tion delivered  by  him  was  printed  with  this  title,  "  An 
Oration  delivered  to  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  in  the 
Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  :  July  4,  1787.  By  John 
Brooks,  Esq."  This  is  just  such  an  oration  as  a  sensible  and 
patriotic  officer,  fresh  from  the  fields  of  conquest,  would  deli- 
ver to  his  fellow-officers  on  the  Fourth  of  July. 

When  President  Monroe  visited  Boston  in  1817,  he  said 
he  had  "  read  the  inaugural  speech  of  Governor  Brooks  with 
entire  approbation  •  "  and  then  added,  "  I  am  willing  to 
take  the  principles  of  that  speech  as  the  basis  of  my  admini- 
stration." 

After  the  death  of  the  Governor,  which  occurred  March 
1,  1825,  the  Massachusetts  Medical  Society,  of  which  he  was 
then  President,  took  notice  of  the  event  in  the  most  appro- 
priate manner.  The  next  day,  March  2,  the  Councillors  of 
that  Society  passed  the  following  :  — 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Councillors  regard  with  deep  sensibility  the 
loss  by  death  of  the  late  President  of  the  Society,  the  Hon.  John 
Brooks,  and  that  they  feel  assured  they  shall  express  the  senti- 
ments of  the  Society,  as  they  do  their  own,  in  stating  that  the 
Society  has  derived  honor  from  having  had  at  their  head  a  man 


POLITICAL    HISTORY. 


143 


beloved  in  private  life,  justly  respected  in  his  profession,  and  dis- 
tinguished in  his  state  and  country  for  the  faithful  and  honorable 
performance  of  high  military  and  civil  duties. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Councillors  ask  permission  to  attend  the 
obsequies  of  their  late  President,  both  for  themselves  and  the  other 
members  of  the  Society. 

••  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  wait  on  the  family, 
and  express  to  them  the  sentiments  of  the  Councillors  on  the 
bereavement." 

The  granite  pyramid  which,  stands  in  the  old  burying- 
ground  has  the  following  inscription  :  — 

"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  John  Brooks,  who  was  born  in  Med- 
ford,  in  the  month  of  May,  1752,  and  educated  at  the  town-school. 
He  took  up  arms  for  his  country  on  the  19th  of  April,  1775.  He 
commanded  the  regiment  which  first  entered  the  enemies'  lines  at 
Saratoga,  and  served  with  honor  to  the  end  of  the  war.  He  was 
appointed  Marshal  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts  by  President 
Washington  ;  and,  after  filling  several  important  civil  and  military 
offices,  he  was,  in  the  year  1816,  chosen  Governor  of  the  Common- 
wealth, and  discharged  the  -duties  of  that  station  for  seven  succes- 
sive years  to  general  acceptance.  He  was  a  kind  and  skilful  phy- 
sician ;  a  brave  and  prudent  officer ;  a  wise,  firm,  and  impartial 
magistrate  ;  a  true  patriot,  a  good  citizen,  and  a  faithful  friend.  In 
his  manners,  he  was  a  gentleman  ;  in  morals,  pure  ;  and  in  profes- 
sion and  practice,  a  consistent  Christian.  He  departed  this  life  in 
peace,  on  the  1st  of  March,  1825,  aged  seventy-three.  This  monu- 
ment to  his  honored  memory  was  erected  by  several  of  his  fellow- 
citizens  and  friends,  in  tlie  year  1838." 


CHAPTER    IV. 


POLITICAL  HISTORY. 


Medford  takes  a  rich  share  in  the '  political  honors  of  the 
country.  At  an  early  date,  it  expressed  its  determination  to 
preserve  inviolate  the  rights  and  privileges  secured  to  the 
colony  by  the  charter  of  1629.  "When  the  four  colonies  of 
Plymouth,  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  and  New  Haven 
united,  May  19,  1643,  under  the  name  of  "  The  United 
Colonies  of  New   England,"    their   politics   and    patriotism 


144  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

seem  to  expand  together.  This  fraternal  bond  was  especially 
strengthened  in  our  ancestors'  hearts,  when,  by  the  charter 
of  Oct.  7,  1691,  Plymouth  was  annexed  to  Massachusetts. 

May  10,  1643  :  The  General  Court  say  "that  the  whole 
plantation,  within  this  jurisdiction,  is  divided  into  four  shires  ; 
to  wit,  Essex,  Norfolk,  Middlesex,  and  Suffolk."  Each  had 
eight  towns,  except  Norfolk,  which  had  six. 

June  4,  1689 :  "  Ensign  Peter  Tufts  was  chosen  by  the 
town  as  Representative,  according  to  the  Honorable  Coun- 
cil's signification." 

May  21,  1690  :  "  Peter  Tufts  was  chosen  Deputy  to  attend 
the  first  session  of  the  General  Court,  or  until  another  shall 
be  legally  chosen." 

May  3,  1697 :  Voted  to  pay  the  Representative  18d.  per 
day,  during  his  services  in  the  General  Court." 

The  indignation  of  our  fathers  in  Medford,  at  the  oppres- 
sive taxation  of  Andross,  was  expressed  by  a  fisherman,  in  a 
pointed  figure  drawn  from  his  craft.  Sir  Edward  Andross, 
belonging  to  that  select  political  family  of  which  Benedict 
Arnold  was  an  accepted  member,  was  sent  by  the  king  as  a  spy 
to  New  England  in  1684.  He  gathered  facts  from  his  imagi- 
nation, and  returned  to  persuade  the  credulous  royal  govern- 
ment that  the  Colonies'  had  forfeited  their  charter.  This 
induced  the  king  to  appoint  him  "  Governor-General  and 
Vice-Admiral  of  New  England,  New  York,  and  the  Jerseys." 
He  arrived  in  Boston,  Dec.  29,  1686,  and  commenced,  as 
despots  generally  do,  with  professions  of  friendship  and 
patriotism.  But  he  came  prepared  for  trampling  on  the 
liberties  of  the  people,  by  bringing  with  him  power  to  enact 
laws,  raise  an  army,  impose  taxes,  and  abolish  the  representa- 
tive system.  He  thus  destroyed  townships,  and  said,  — 
"  There  is  no  such  thing  as  a  town  in  the  whole  country." 
He  and  his  Council  were  vested  with  all  legislative  and 
executive  powers.  And  thus  the  country  mourned  over 
their  lost  charter  and  fallen  liberties.  This  tyrant  contended 
that  every  owner  of  land  must  renew  his  title  to  it,  and  for 
his  agency  the  most  exorbitant  fees  were  demanded.  He 
levied  taxes  without  any  permission  from  the  people  or 
government,  and  punished  cruelly  those  who  refused  to  pay. 
The  inhabitants  of  every  town  were  forbidden  to  meet  and 
exercise  their  corporate  powers,  except  once  a  year :  and 
they  were  told  by  the  Judges,  in  open  Court,  "  that  they  had 
no  more  privileges  left  them,  than  not  to  be  sold  for  slaves." 


POLITICAL   HISTORY.  145 

The  Anglo-Saxon  blood  of  our  Puritan  Fathers  could  not 
brook  this  ;  and  they  dared  to  more  than  think  of  relief. 
The  great  revolution  of  1688,  in  the  mother  country,  ending 
in  the  abdication  of  James,  and  the  accession  of  William 
and  Mary,  afforded  an  encouraging  example  on. this  side 
the  water.  That  example  was  promptly  followed ;  and  on 
the  morning  of  the  18th  of  April,  1689,  the  people  rose 
in  righteous  revolt,  seized  their  oppressor,  secured  him  in 
prison,  and  destroyed  his  government.  This  was  decisive 
New  Englandism.  He  was  soon  sent  back  to  London  to  be 
tried.  Of  this  odious  ruler,  one  of  the  Medford  people  said, 
".If  Andross  comes  to  Medford,  we  will  treat  him,  not  with 
shad  or  alewives,  but  a  sword-fish.." 

The  loyalty  of  our  fathers  was  seen  in  their  holding  days 
of  public  fasting  and  prayer  when  sorrow  or  defeat  visited 
the  mother  country,  and  of  holding  days  of  thanksgiving 
when  prosperity  and  triumph  blessed  the  king.  As  an 
example,  we  would  mention  a  day  of  rejoicing  set  apart  in 
Medford,  October  1-1,  1743,  on  account  of  victory  gained  by 
the  English  troops  in  Germany. 

1753:  Medford  was  fined  £10  for  omitting  to  send  a  re- 
presentative to  the  General  Court ;  but,  January  10,  1754, 
this  fine  was  remitted. 

Our  town,  though  small,  did  its  share  in  Philip's  War, 
and  raised  money  and  men  to  put  down  that  intelligent  and 
brave  Indian  enemy.  The  same  spirit  of  liberty  breathed  in 
their  souls  at  a  later  day ;  and,  when  the  odious  Stamp  Act 
was  proclaimed,  the  inhabitants  of  Medford  came  together," as 
with  a  rush,  on  the  21st  of  October,  1765,  to  express  their 
sober  convictions  of  its  unconstitutionality  and  injustice. 
With  entire  unanimity,  they  addressed  a  letter  to  their  repre- 
sentative, protesting  against  some  former  acts  of  Parliament, 
but  most  emphatically  against  "  this  most  grievous  of  all  acts, 
wherein  a  complication  of  those  burdens  and  restraints  are 
unhappily  imposed,  which  will  undeniably  deprive  us  of 
those  invaluable  liberties  and  privileges  which  we,  as  free- 
born  Britons,  have  hitherto  enjoyed."  Professing  loyalty  to 
their  king  and  parliament,  they  nevertheless  say,  that,  "  when- 
ever they  require  such  an  obedience  from  us  as  is  incompati- 
ble with  the  enjoyment  of  our  just  liberties  and  properties, 
we  cannot  but  arise  and  openly  remonstrate  against  it.  And 
this,  we  esteem,  is  so  far  from  a  spirit  of  rebellion  and  dis- 
loyalty in  us,  that  to  act  the  contrary  would  argue  in  us  a 
19 


146  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

meanness  and  degeneracy  of  spirit  much  beneath  the  charac- 
ter of  true  Englishmen,  and  would  therefore  justly  expose 
us  to  the  contempt  of  all  true  lovers  of  liberty,  both  in 
Great  Britain  and  America."  —  "  Therefore  we  seriously  en- 
join it  upon  you,  as  our  representative,  that  you  be  no  ways 
aiding  or  assisting  in  the  execution  of  said  act."  This  lan- 
guage, with  them  of  prophecy,  had  a  meaning  almost  as  clear 
as  it  has  with  us  of  history.  Their  words  have  that  political 
polarity  which  points  at  ultimate  independence.  If  every 
little  village  in  the  Province  was  thus  moved  with  quick 
indignation  at  the  first  instance  of  positive  oppression,  does 
it  not  prove  the  existence  of  a  general  sympathy  and  a  united 
brotherhood  which  will  be  unconquerable  ?  Medford  felt 
every  pulsation  of  the  central  heart,  and  spoke  openly  what 
she  felt,  and  was  ready  to  act  as  nobly  as  she  spoke.  The 
above  resolves  and  instructions  of  the  town  were  among  the 
first  and  firmest  of  the  acts  of  resistance  to  royal  oppression. 

On  the  18th  of  March,  1766,  Parliament  repealed  the  odi- 
ous act  by  a  vote  of  two  hundred  and  seventy-five  to  one 
hundred  and  sixty-seven.  The  joy  exhibited  at  Medford,  on 
this  event,  was  most  intense,  and  was  manifested  by  fire- 
works, ringing  of  bells,  and  jubilant  dinners. 

Parliament  resumes  taxation,  June  29,  1767,  asserting  its 
right  to  "  bind  the  Colonies  in  all  cases  whatsoever."  Duties 
were  laid  on  paper,  tea,  glass,  and  painters'  colors.  A  cus- 
tom-house was  opened,  and  a  civil  list  established ;  and  the 
act  provides,  that,  after  ministerial  warrants  are  satisfied,  the 
residue  of  the  revenue  shall  be  at  the  disposal  of  Parliament. 
The  trump  of  doom  could  not  have  caused  a  more  general 
awakening.     New  England  now  was  doubly  alive. 

The  preparation-note  was  sounded  in  Medford,  Dec.  21, 
1772,  in  these  words  :  — 

"  Voted  to  choose  a  Committee  to  take  under  consideration  the 
grievances  we  labor  under,  and  in  particular  of  salaries  said  to  be 
appointed  by  the  Crown  for  our  supreme  judges ;  and  also  to  draw 
up  instructions  for  our  representative  relative  thereto." 

This  signal-gun,  fired  from  the  battlements  of  liberty,  gave 
not  an  "  uncertain  sound,"  as  will  be  seen  in  the  following 
acts  of  our  patriotic  fathers.     Dec.  31,  1772:  — 

"  Voted  that  the  thanks  of  the  town  of  Medford  be  given  to  the 
respectable  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Boston  for  their  patriotic  care 


POLITICAL    HISTORY.  147 

and  vigilance  (discovered  on  several  occasions)  in  endeavoring  to 
preserve  our  mil  constitution  from  innovation,  and  to  maintain  they 
Mme  inviolate.  And  wo  do  assure  them  that  our  assistance  shall 
not  he  wanting  in  the  use  of, all  such  lawful  proper  measures  as 
shall  be  thought  expedient  to  he  adopted  for  the  preservation  of 
our  liberties,  civil  and  religious." 

The  calm  and  solemn  declaration  of  sentiments,  sent  at  this 
time  to  their  representative,  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  To  Simon  Tofts,  Esq. 

"  Sir,  —  You  being  our  representative,  we,  your  constituents,  this 
day,  in  lawful  town-meeting  assembled,  having  taken  into  serious 
consideration  the  many  and  alarming  grievances,  as  generally  and 
justly  complained  of,  which  the  Colonies  in  general,  and  this  Pro- 
vince in  particular,  labor  under,  as  being  subversive  of  the  essential 
rights  and  privileges  of  free  British  subjects,  and  repugnant  both  to 
the  letter  and  spirit  of  our  royal  charter,  take  the  freedom  to  lay 
before  you  our  sentiments  thereupon,  and  to  enjoin  you,  as  our 
representative,  to  use  your  best  endeavors  in  the  Honorable  House 
of  Representatives,  at  their  next  sessions,  in  promoting  and  assist- 
ing in  such  constitutional  measures  as  shall  appear  best,  and  most 
likely  to  obtain  redress  of  the  same. 

"  It  would  be  too  tedious,  as  well  as  needless,  to  enumerate,  and 
particularly  remind  you  of  all  the  grievances  we  suffer  at  this  time 
from  ministerial  and  parliamentary  proceedings ;  but  it  may  suffice 
to  say  generally  that  our  sentiments  of  the  claims  we  are  justly 
entitled  to,  as  free  British  subjects,  and  also  of  the  infringements 
from  time  to  time  made  upon  them,  are  similar  to  those  contained 
in  the  pamphlet  (now  read)  which  our  patriotic  brethren  of  Boston 
have  generously  furnished  us  with ;  which  book  we  recommend  to 
your  serious  perusal. 

"  In  particular,  we  desire  that  you  inquire  into  the  truth  of  a 
report  currently  spread  and  prevailing  among  us,  namely,  that  the 
Hon.  Justices  of  the  Superior  Court  are  in  future  to  receive  their 
salaries  from  the  Crown.  Since  such  a  provision,  which  renders 
them  so  enormously  dependent  upon  the  Crown,  is  of  so  threatening 
an  aspect,  so  dangerous  to  the  free  and  impartial  administration  of 
justice,  as  must  alarm  every  serious  person  who  has  the  welfare  of 
his  country  at  heart,  it  gives  us  just  reason  to  fear  that  the  axe  is 
noio  laid  at  the  root  of  our  liberty,  with  a  fixed  intention  to  hew  it 
down. 

"  Therefore,  sir,  if,  upon  inquiry,  you  find  this  to  be  really  the 
case,  we  trust  you  will  zealously  and  vigorously  exert  yourself  to 
avert  so  formidable  an  evil,  and  frustrate  the  wicked  machinations 
of  our  inveterate  enemies ;  and,  in  the  mean  time,  that  you  will 
endeavor  that  the  Hon.  Justices  of  the  Superior  Court  of  Judica- 
ture, Court  of  Assizes,  and  General  Jail  Delivery,  be  amply  and 


148  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

honorably  supported  by  grants  from  the  General  Assembly,  and  in 
such  a  manner  as  shall  best  tend  to  the  maintaining  of  justice  in  the 
land.  Finally,  that  you  endeavor  that  the  disputes  and  differences 
now  subsisting  betwixt  Great  Britain  and  the  Colonies  be  speedily 
and  amicably  adjusted,  and  peace  and  harmony  again  restored." 

A  copy  of  the  above  was  sent  to  the  town  of  Boston. 

The  records  of  Meclford  are  full  of  the  most  clear  and 
stirring  expressions  of  patriotism  with  reference  to  the 
oppressions  of  the  Crown.  So  near  to  Boston,  every  pulsa- 
tion of  that  central  heart  found,  an  answering  beat  in  the 
bosoms  of  our  ancestors.  They  were  among  the  first  and 
steadiest  supporters  of  colonial  rights.  There  were  men  in 
Medford,  in  1770,  who  knew  their  political,  civil,  and  reli- 
gious position,  and  who  were  ready  to  defend  themselves 
from  parliaments  and  ministers  and  kings.  It  will  not  be 
necessary  to  copy  into  this  history  the  many  declarations  and 
resolutions  which  glow  with  the  auroral  light  of  liberty  on 
the  records  of  the  town.  It  may  be  interesting  to  see  into 
what  form  their  views  and  feelings  had  settled  in  1773 ;  and 
these  may  be  apprehended  by  the  following  record  of  a  town- 
meeting  held  for  the  special  purpose  of  expressing  their 
opinion  upon  the  Tea  Question. 

The  record  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  The  town  being  informed,  that,  by  reason  of  the  American  mer- 
chants generally  refusing  to  import  tea  from  Great  Britain  while 
subjected  to  the  payment  of  the  duty  imposed  thereon  by  the 
British  Parliament,  the  East  India  Company  there  have  been  so 
greatly  embarrassed  in  the  sale  of  their  teas,  that  they  have  at 
length  determined  (through  permission  of  Parliament)  to  expect  a 
supply  for  the  Colonies  on  their  own  account.  Several  ships  have 
already  arrived  in  Boston  with  large  quantities  on  board,  and  seve- 
ral more  are  daily  expected ;  and  we  are  informed  that  the  said 
duty  will  be  paid  upon  all  such  teas. 

"  To  prevent,  therefore,  the  many  formidable  evils  consequent 
upon  the  success  of  this  alarming  and  subtle  attempt  to  rivet  the 
chains  of  oppression,  the  town,  after  mature  deliberation,  comes 
into  the  following  resolutions  :. — 

1.  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  incumbent  duty  of  all  free  British 
subjects  in  America  to  unite  in  the  use  of  all  lawful  measures 
necessary  and  expedient  for  the  preservation  and  security  of  their 
rights  and  privileges,  civil  and  religious. 

2.  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  town,  that  the  British  Parliament 
have  no  constitutional  authority  to  tax  these  Colonies  without  their 
own  consent ;  and  that,  therefore,  the  present  duty  laid  upon  tea, 


POLITICAL    HISTORY.  149 

imported  here  from  Great  Britain  for  the  purpose  of  a  revenue,  is 
a  tax  illegally  laid  upon  and  extorted  from  us. 

"  3.  That  said  India  Company's  exporting  their  own  teas  to  the 
Colonies,  while  charged  with  said  duty,  has  a  direct  tendency  to 
establish  said  revenue  acts. 

"  4.  That  we  will  exert  ourselves,  and  join  with  our  American 
brethren,  in  adopting  and  prosecuting  all  legal  and  proper  measures 
to  discourage  and  prevent  the  landing,  storing,  and  vending  and 
using  those  teas  among  us ;  and  that  whosoever  shall  aid  or  assist 
said  India  Company,  their  factors  or  servants,  in  either  landing, 
storing,  or  selling  the  same, 'does  a  manifest  injury  to  his  country, 
and  deserves  to  be  treated  with  severity  and  contempt. 

"5.  That  we  are  ready  at  all  times,  in  conjunction  with  our 
American  brethren,  as  loyal  subjects,  to  risk  our  lives  and  fortunes 
in  the  service  and  defence  of  His  Majesty's  person,  crown,  and  dig- 
nity ;  and  also,  as  a  free  people,  in  asserting  and  maintaining  invio- 
late our  civil  and  religious  rights  and  privileges  against  all  opposers 
whatever. 

"  6.  That  the  thanks  of  this  town  be  and  are  hereby  given  to 
our  worthy  brethren  of  the  town  of  Boston,  for  their  unwearied 
care  and  pains  in  endeavoring  to  preserve  our  rights  and  privileges 
free  from  innovation,  and  furnishing  this  and  our  other  towns  with 
copies  of  their  late  proceedings. 

"  Voted  that  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  and  proceedings  be  trans- 
mitted to  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  in  Boston." 

June  1,  1774  :  The  Boston  Port  Bill,  which  prohibited 
all  trade  by  water,  brought  the  great  question  to  its  issue. 
Every  one  here  was  asking,  Must  we  be  slaves  ?  Can  we  be 
free  ?  When  men's  labor  is  forbidden,  and  their  bread  fails, 
then  "bayonets  begin  to  think."  Our  fathers  now  felt  that 
the  hope  of  the  country  was  in  the  union  of  the  Colonies. 

Men  who  could  understand  these  acts  of  oppression,  and 
could  thus  talk,  were  ready  and  willing  to  act ;  and  their 
first  prophetic  deed  was  that  of  abstinence.  Nov.  14,  1774, 
Medford  voted  thus  :  "  Resolved,  That,  if  any  person  or  per- 
sons sells  or  consumes  any  East  India  teas,  the  names  of  such 
persons  to  be  posted  up  in  some  public  place."  Again, 
"  Voted  that  we  will  not  use  East  India  teas  till  the  Acts  be 
repealed."  This  was  equivalent  to  cleaning  the  rifle,  and 
looking  into  the  cartridge-box. 

Medford  had  its  stock  of  powder  deposited  in  the  powder- 
house,  on  Quarry  Hill,  and,  on  the  27th  of  August,  1774, 
removed  it.  Governor  Gage  heard  that  the  powder  in  that 
house  was  fast  leaving  it ;  and,  as  he  called  it  the  "  king's 
powder,"  he  resolved  to  remove  it  to  Castle  "William  (Fort 


150  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOKD. 

Independence).  Accordingly,  "  on  Thursday  morning,  Sep- 
tember 1,  about  half-past  four,  two  hundred  and  sixty 
troops,  under  the  command  of  Lieut.-Col.  Maddison,  embarked 
at  Long  Wharf,  Boston,  in  thirteen  boats,  sailed  up  Mystic 
River,  landed  at  Temple's  farm  (Ten  Hills),  marched  to  the 
powder-house,  and  removed  all  the  powder  in  it,  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  half-barrels,  to  Castle  William."  This  clan- 
destine act  of  power,  executed  on  the  very  borders  of 
Medford,  called  forth  here  the  deepest  indignation,  and  made 
every  man  ready  for  the  issue  which  it  foreshadowed.  It  is 
impossible  now  to  conceive  of  the  excitement  which  this  act 
produced. 

"  Five  boats "  had  been  built,  and  "  the  Selectmen  of 
Medford  were  ordered  to  take  a  party  of  men  to  Charlestown 
Neck,  to  launch  them,  and  carry  them  up  Mystic  River." 
And  this  was  done. 

We  find  the  inhabitants  of  Medford  again  assembled ;  and, 
Feb.  1,  1775,  two  Representatives,  Benjamin  Hall,  and  Ste- 
phen Hall,  3d,  are  sent  to  the  Provincial  Congress  at  Cam- 
bridge. Medford  now,  as  one  man,  enrolled  itself,  and  stood 
ready  at  the  first  tap  of  the  drum.  Signs  of  terrible  portent 
abound ;  and  soon  comes  the  19th  of  April.  A  beacon-fire 
has  been  lighted ;  a  horseman  rides  at  full  speed  through 
the  streets  of  Medford ;  the  bell  rings,  drums  beat,  all  doors 
fly  open.  The  awful  tidings  have  already  spread  over  the 
county,  and  will  soon  penetrate  the  adjoining  States.  The 
workshops,  the  brickyards,  the  counting-houses,  and  the  corn- 
fields are  all  deserted.  The  horse  is  suddenly  loosed  from 
the  plough,  and  the  plough  left  in  the  furrow.  Women  col- 
lect to  ask  if  they  can  do  any  thing,  and  then  hasten  to  help 
fathers,  husbands,  and  sons.  All  eyes  are  strained  to  see,  all 
ears  to  hear,  and  every  heart  palpitates  as  before  the  light- 
ning flash  of  an  overhanging  cloud.  The  time  has  come. 
The  British  regulars  are  marching  from  Boston  to  Lexington 
for  plunder  and  hostility.  Patriotism  reddens  every  Ameri- 
can cheek  at  the  announcement  of  this  fact.  The  heart  of 
the  whole  town  moves  as  by  one  pulsation.  There  needs  no 
conscription  here.  All  are  ready.  The  auroral  blush  of 
liberty  is  in  the  sky.  They  seize  their  rifle  and  their  fowl- 
ing-piece, they  fill  their  powder-horn  and  cartridge-box,  they 
store  their  knapsack  and  roll  up  their  blanket;  and  then, 
with  quickened  step  and  firm  resolve,  heart  answering  to 
heart,  the  fearless  patriot  band  take  up  their  solemn  march 


POLITICAL   HISTORY.  151 

to  meet  the  foe.  Some  Medford  minute-men  soon  joined  the 
ranks  of  their  neighbors  from  Heading,  who  had  volunteered 
already,  under  the  command  of  their  gallant  young  physician, 
John  Brooks. 

The  Medford  Company,  fifty -nine  in  all,  were  out  early  on 
their  march  to  the  scene  of  danger,  and,  for  five  days,  were 
in  active  service.  The  maxim  at  Medford  was  this  :  "  Every 
citizen  a  soldier,  every  soldier  a  patriot." 

A  Medford  farmer,  at  the  West  End,  as  soon  as  he  heard  of 
the  march  of  the  British  towards  Lexington,  ran  to  his  house, 
seized  his  gun,  and  made  ready  for  departure.  Dinner  was 
on  the  table,  but  he  would  not  stop.  His  wife  exclaimed, 
"  Why,  husband,  you  are  not  going  without  your  dinner !  " 
"  Yes,  I  am,"  he  replied ;  "  I  am  going  to  take  powder  and 
balls  for  my  dinner  to-day,  or  to  give  them  some." 

These  were  times  when  men  had  reasons  shorter  than 
logic.  Their  minds  glowed  like  the  burning  furnace ;  and 
to  put  a  stop  to  British  oppression  they  were  resolved.  God 
and  freedom  now  became  watchwords.  They  felt  that  every 
true  American  was  their  ally ;  and  they  knew  that  the  first 
shot  fired  at  their  neighbors  at  Lexington  would  convert 
every  citizen  in  the  Colony  to  a  minute-man  and  a  soldier. 
These  ancestors  of  ours  were  men ;  they  have  the  right  to 
be  called  men  ;  and,  with  such  men,  liberty  is  safe.  How 
faintly,  at  this  day,  can  we  conceive  of  the  electric  enthusiasm 
of  the  19th  of  April !     It  seemed 

"  As  if  the  very  earth  again 

Grew  quick  with  God's  creating  breath  ; 
And,  from  the  sods  of  grove  and  glen, 
Rose  ranks  of  lion-hearted  men 

To  battle  to  the  death." 

The  number  belonging  to  Medford  who  were  killed  on 
that  day  is  not  known.  A  worthy  old  man  told  us  that  he 
knew  of  four  who  fell :  William  Polly  and  Henry  Putnam, 
at  Concord ;  and  a  man  named  Smith,  and  another  named 
Francis,  in  West  Cambridge.  The  two  last  mentioned  were 
killed  by  the  flank  guard  of  the  British,  on  the  retreat  to 
Boston. 

^  William  Polly  was  brought  to  Medford  alive,  but  died'  of 
his  wounds  April  25. 

The  Medford  men  followed  the  retreating  British  from  ' 
Lexington  woods  to  Charlestown  ferry,  and  shot  their  last 
ball  during  the  embarkation. 


152  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Medford  men  were  with  Washington  at  Monmouth,  at 
Brandywine,  at  the  crossing  of  the  Delaware,  and  in  other 
places,  and  fought  bravely  for  the  liberties  and  independence 
of  their  country. 

Mr.  No  well,  in  his  diary,  kept  at  Boston,  has  the  fol- 
lowing :  — 

"  Aug.  6, 1775  :  Skirmishing  up  Mistick  River.  Several  soldiers 
brought  over  here  wounded.  The  house  at  Penny  Ferry,  Maiden 
side,  burnt,"  "  Aug.  13.  —  Several  gondaloes  sailed  up  Mistick 
River,  upon  which  the  Provincials  and  they  had  a  skirmish;  many 
shots  exchanged,  but  nothing  decisive." 

It  appears  from  these  records  that  the  enemy  attempted 
incursions  here,  but  were  promptly  met  and  repulsed  by  our 
fathers.  This  event  put  the  inhabitants  of  Medford  in  a 
state  of  watchfulness  and  defence  at  the  very  earliest  period 
of  the  Revolution. 

A  detachment  of  troops  from  the  army  at  Cambridge  were 
ordered  east ;  and,  on  the  13th  September,  1775,  they 
encamped  for  the  night  in  Medford,  having  Benedict  Arnold 
as  their  commander. 

After  the  battles  of  Lexington  and  Concord,  our  patriot 
fathers  felt  themselves  pledged  to  the  cause,  and  much 
anxiety  arose  about  the  selection  of  their  Representative  to 
the  General  Court,  They  felt  that  the  most  momentous 
questions  might  come  up  for  discussion,  and  that  the  decision 
of  Massachusetts  might  be  final.  The  gentleman  they  first 
chose  declined.  The  choice  then  fell  on  Capt.  Thomas 
Brooks,  as  a  man  whose  solid  judgment,  characteristic  deci- 
sion, and  burning  patriotism,  fitted  him  for  the  trying  emer- 
gencies. So  ably  and  promptly  did  he  fill  his  trust,  that  the 
town  elected  him  eight  times  in  succession.  From  his  own 
farm  he  supplied  the  army  with  wood  while  in  Charlestown 
and  on  Winter  Hill. 

June  10,  1776  :  The  Selectmen  assemble  the  inhabitants 
of  Medford  for  this  high  and  solemn  purpose,  namely  :  — 

"  To  know  the  minds  of  the  town,  —  whether,  should  the  Honor- 
able Congress,  for  the  safety  of  the  said  Colonies,  declare  them  inde- 
pendent of  the  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  they,  the  said  inhabitants, 
will  solemnly  engage,  with  their  lives  and  fortunes,  to  support 
them  in  the  measure. 

"  Voted  in  the  affirmative,  unanimously." 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  was  read  from  the  pul- 


POLITICAL    HISTOKY.  153 

pit  in  Medford  on  the  first  Sunday  after  its  arrival.  After 
this,  the  question  of  preparing  and  adopting  a  form  of  free, 
representative  government  came  before  every  mind  with  deep 
impressiveness  ;  and  Sept.  20,  1776,  found  our  fathers  assem- 
bled to  discuss  it.  They  voted  that  they  were  "  ready  for  a 
constitution  and  a  form  of  government  for  the  future." 
That  year,  for  the  first  and  only  time,  two  representatives 
were  chosen,  —  Captain  Thomas  Brooks,  and  Mr.  Stephen 
Hall,  3d. 

"When  towns  were  dissatisfied  with  any  laws,  it  was  usual 
to  instruct  their  representative  to  "  declare  against  them." 

The  expenses  of  war  were  borne  without  a  murmur  in 
Medford ;  and  every  person  made  a  cheerful  sacrifice  of 
whatever  was  necessary  to  promote  the  cause  of  freedom. 
In  1776,  the  inhabitants  tax  themselves  £226,  in  addition  to 
the  current  expenses  of  the  year. 

March  3,  1777  :  "  Voted  to  raise  our  quota  of  men  for  the 
fifteen  battalions  for  the  Continental  army." 

Sept.  22,  1777 :  The  town  voted  to  raise  £778.  4s.  for  the 
expenses  of  the  war. 

During  these  hard  times,  Medford  had  two  ministers  to 
support,  and  Mr.  Osgood  asked  for  more  salary.  The  town, 
March  2,  1778,  granted  him  £100  as  a  gratuity. 

May  25,  1778  :  "  Voted  to  pay  each  person  six  shillings 
per  day  who  served  under  Capt.  Blaney,  as  soldiers  for  Med- 
ford, last  winter." 

"  Voted  that  the  Selectmen  be  the  Committee  for  supply- 
ing the  families  of  the  Continental  soldiers." 

May  28,  1778:  "Voted  to  raise  the  sum  of  £1,400  to- 
wards defraying  the  charges  of  the  town  the  ensuing  year." 

Nov.  30  :  "  Voted  to  raise  £1,600,  in  addition  to  the  £1,400 
voted  last  May." 

1779  :  William  Earl,  of  Medford,  was  "  powder-monkey  " 
on  board  the  ship-of-war  Bon  Homme  Richard,  Sept.  23, 
1779,  then  commanded  by  Capt.  Paul  Jones.  On  that  day, 
the  captain  encountered  the  British  ship-of-war  Serapis, 
greatly  his  superior  in  force  ;  and,  after  a  most  desperate  and 
bloody  engagement  off  Flamborough  Head,  he  captured  her. 
Young  Earl  lost  his  leg  in  that  battle,  and  afterwards  received 
a  pension.  He  pursued,  in  Medford,  the  trade  of  a  tailor. 
He  was  a  good  citizen,  and  a  good  singer. 

1779 :  Voted  to  raise  £3,000  for  current  expenses,  and  to 
borrow  $12,000  for  three  months. 
20 


154  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Oct.  18,  1779:  "Voted  to  raise  $7,380  to  pay  the  sol- 
diers." 

June  29,  1781 :  "Voted  to  raise  £400  towards  purchasing 
the  beef,  and  £270  for  purchasing  the  clothing." 

July  30,  1781:  "Voted  to  raise  £200  in  specie  for  rais- 
ing the  men." 

These  items  show  any  thing  but  backwardness  in  sustain- 
ing the  cause  of  independence. 

The  people  of  Massachusetts  felt  the  need  of  a  Constitution, 
or  form  of  civil  government.  A  convention  for  drafting  one 
was  called,  and  they  present  the  result  of  their  labors  Feb. 
28,  1778.  In  drafting  this  Constitution,  the  Legislature 
acted  as  a  Convention.     They  sat  at  Cambridge. 

May  25,  1778  :  The  inhabitants  of  Medford  express  their 
opinion.     The  record  runs  thus  :  — 

"  The  Constitution  and  form  of  government  being  read,  it  was 
put  to  vote ;  and  there  appeared  to  be  thirteen  in  favor  of  it,  and 
twenty-three  against  it." 

"  The  Constitution  for  Massachusetts  Bay  "  was  rejected. 

The  question,  whether  the  State  desired  a  Constitution, 
was  put ;  and  our  records,  May  17,  1779,  have  the  follow- 
ing :  — 

"  Put  to  vote,  —  Whether  the  town  choose  at  this  time  to  have  a 
new  Constitution  or  form  of  government  made.  Yeas,  22 ;  nays, 
15." 

They  appoint  a  Committee  to  instruct  their  Representative 
(Capt.  Thomas  Brooks).     The  record  is  thus :  — 

"May  17,  1779:  The  Committee  appointed  to  instruct  their 
Representative  relative  to  forming  a  new  Constitution  of  civil 
government  in  this  State  report,  —  That  said  Representative  use 
his  best  endeavors  and  influence,  that,  if  the  General  Court  are 
empowered  by  the  majority  of  freeholders  of  said  State  to  call  a 
convention  to  form  said  Constitution  of  government,  said  conven- 
tion may  consist  of  no  person  or  persons  belonging  to  said  General 
Court." 

A  new  movement  was  made,  and  another  convention 
called  ;  separate  counties  held  preparatory  meetings ;  and, 
October,  1779,  Stephen  Willis,  3d,  was  chosen  Delegate  to 
meet  in  convention  at  Concord.  When  the  town  came  to 
act  on  the  doings  of  this  convention,  as  they  regarded  a  new 


POLITICAL    HISTORY. 


155 


Constitution  of  civil  government  for  the  State,  the  record 
says :  — 

"July  29,  1779  :  The  whole  of  the  proceedings  of  the  convention 
at  Concord  was  read,  paragraph  by  paragraph,  and  then  voted  upon 
separately ;  and  it  was  unanimously  voted  that  we  comply  with  the 
same." 

The  draft  of  the  new  Constitution  for  Massachusetts  was 
at  last  prepared ;  and,  May  28,  1780,  Medford  accepted  it, 
with  a  few  exceptions.  The  record  is  as  follows.  The 
Committee  report :  — 

"  We  apprehend  that  the  Governor,  with  the  advice  of  the  Coun- 
cil, should,  in  the  recess  of  the  General  Court,  be  vested  with  the 
power,  on  special  occasions,  in  time  of  war  and  rebellion,  to  order 
the  militia  out  of  this  State  to  the  assistance  of  a  neighboring  State  ; 
and  that  the  said  Governor,  with  the  advice  of  Council,  shall  not 
be  empowered  to  continue  the  militia  out  of  this  State,  on  the 
aforesaid  emergencies,  for  a  longer  space  than  thirty  days  at  one 
time,  without  the  consent  of  the  General  Court.  Yeas,  49 ; 
nays,  5. 

"  Concerning  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  we  are  of  opinion  that 
it  should  not  be  suspended  by  the  Legislature,  on  any  account,  for 
a  longer  space  of  time  than  six  months.     Unanimously,  39. 

"  We  are  of  opinion  that  no  person  ought  to  be  elected  a  Dele- 
gate to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  who  is  not  possessed  of 
property,  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  to  the  value  of  £600,  cur- 
rency, according  to  the  Convention.     Unanimously,  39  votes. 

"  We  should  be  pleased  if  the  above  alterations  might  be  made 
in  the  said  Constitution,  but  mean  not  that  said  alterations  should 
prevent  the  establishment  of  said  Constitution  at  the  next  session 
of  said  Convention. 

Edward  Brooks,") 

Simon  Tufts,         >■  Committee. 

Aaron  Hall,         ) 

"  Voted  unanimously  to  accept,  by  39  votes. 

"  Voted  to  accept  of  the  first  Section  of  the  second  Chapter  of 
said  Constitution,  styled  Governor,  with  the  foregoing  amendment. 
Yeas,  49  ;  nays,  5. 

"  Concerning  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus  (Chap.  vi.  Art.  7),  voted 
unanimously  to  accept  it,  with  the  foregoing  amendment.     39  votes. 

"  The  declaration  of  rights  was  unanimously  accepted  (except 
the  third  article),  by  44  votes.  The  third  article  being  particularly 
discussed,  a  vote  was  called  for;  28  for  and  6  against  it. 

"  The  constitution  of  government  (Chap.  i.  Sect.  1),  styled 
General  Court,  was  unanimously  accepted.     33  votes. 


156 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


"The  second  Section  of  same  Chapter,  styled  Senator,  unani- 
mously accepted.     26  votes. 

"  The  third  Section,  same  Chapter,  styled  Representatives,  unani- 
mously accepted.     23  votes. 

"  All  the  remainder  of  said  publication  was  unanimously  accepted 
(with  the  foregoing  amendments),  by  23  votes,  one-half  of  the  peo- 
ple having  before  withdrawn." 

Stephen  Hall,  3d,  was  the  Delegate  from  Medford  to 
form  the  Constitution  of  1T80.  The  convention  sat  at  Cam- 
bridge from  Sept.  1,  1779,  to  March  2,  1780. 

After  the  adoption  of  this  Constitution,  the  form  used  in 
warning  town-meetings  was  changed,  and  they  warned  "  in 
the  name  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts." 

Thus  established  under  a  Republican  Constitution  of  their 
own  making,  our  ancestors  felt  as  if  they  had  passed  from  a 
state  of  minority  to  a  state  of  manhood.  The  first  election, 
therefore,  under  this  new  political  charter,  was  an  event  of 
deep  interest.  They  wished  to  set  an  example  of  wise  selec- 
tion, disinterested  patriotism,  and  fraternal  unanimity,  which 
might  serve  for  an  example  to  all  future  times.  They  did 
so.  They  selected  intelligent  statesmen,  true  patriots,  and 
professing  Christians.  The  first  election  took  place  Sept.  4, 
1780  :  and,  in  Medford,  the  votes  stood  thus :  — 


John  Hancock 


Artemus  Ward  . 
Benjamin  Lincoln 
John  Hancock 


For  Governor. 
.     .     30  |  James  Bowdoin 
For  Lieutenant-Governor. 


James  Bowdoin  . 
Thomas  Cushing  . 
Benjamin  Grenleaf 


20 


For  Senators  and  Councillors. 


Col.  Cummings  . 
Stephen  Hall,  3d 
"William  Baldwin . 
Josiah  Stone  .  . 
Nathaniel  Gorham 
James  Dix  .  .  . 
Eleazer  Brooks     . 


Abraham  Fuller 
Oliver  Prescott 
Samuel  Thatcher 
Thomas  Brooks    , 
Samuel  Curtis 
Benjamin  Hall 


Here  we  find  two  candidates  for  each  office  ;  thus  parties, 
inseparable  from  a  state  of  free  inquiry  and  equal  rights, 
revealed  themselves  at  once.     The  question  being  settled, 


POLITICAL    HISTORY. 


157 


the  next  election  showed  great  unanimity,  and  recognized 
that  central  principle  of  majority  which  lies  at  the  basis  of 
our  civil  liberties.  The  Constitution  provided  that  the 
annual  election  should  take  place  in  April ;  thus  giving  the 
formers  the  winter  to  think  of  it,  and  an  occasion  of  finishing 
it  before  planting. 

April  2,  1781  :  The  first  in  the  series  of  the  annual  elec- 
tions took  place  on  this  day ;  and  the  votes,  in  Medford, 
stood  thus :  — 


For  Governor. 
John  Hancock      .     . 


For  Lieutenant-  Governor. 
24  ,  Thomas  Cushing  ....     20 


For  Se?iators. 


Seth  Gorham 22 

James  Prescott     ....     22 
John  Tyng 22 


Abraham  Fuller  ....     22 
Josiah  Stone 22 


The  State  government  took  up  the  cause  of  independence 
with  wisdom  and  power.  At  this  time,  a  levy  of  clothing 
and  beef  for  the  army  was  made  by  it,  and  our  records  show 
that  Medford  raised  its  share  with  promptitude. 

The  second  annual  election  of  State  officers  was  like  the 
third,  which,  in  Medford,  stood  thus  :  — 


For  Governor. 

For  Lieutenant-Governor. 

John  Hancock       .     .     . 

.     45 

Thomas  Cushing  .... 

44 

For  Senators. 

Ebenezer  Bridge .     .     . 
Josiah  Stone     .     .     .     . 
Abraham  Fuller  .     .     . 

.     37 
.     36 
.     37 

Eleazer  Brooks    .     .     .     . 

Jonas  Dix 

Joseph  Hosmer     .     .     .     . 

37 

35 

3 

At  the  fourth  annual  election,  April  7,  1783,  Governor 
Hancock  had,  in  Medford,  36  votes  ;  Lieutenant-Governor 
Cushing,  30.  Each  Senator  had  24.  These  facts  show 
remarkable  political  harmony  in  the  town. 

The  recognition  of  independence  by  the  mother  country 
caused  a  day  of  thanksgiving  in  Medford,  which  the  aged  among 
us  remember.  There  were  meetings  and  feastings  and  congra- 
tulations and  rejoicings  without  number.  It  seemed  here  as 
if  the  whole  heavens  were  filled  with  rainbows.  So  intoxi- 
cated with  hope  were  our  fathers,  that  they  doubtless  pre- 
sumed that  two  blades  of  grass  would  henceforth  grow  where 


158  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

only  one  had  grown,  and  that  a  shower  of  twopenny  loaves 
might  be  expected  at  any  time.  From  these  dreams  of  a 
political  Elysium  they  were  doomed  to  awake  plain  New 
England  farmers  ;  and,  on  the  1st  of  March,  1784,  in  town- 
meeting,  they  thus  voted:  "That  the  guns  and  gunlocks, 
axes,  pickaxes,  spades,  shovels,  and  lead,  belonging  to  the 
town,  be  sold  at  public  auction."  When  the  first  gush  of 
republican  joy  was  over,  and  the  town  became  settled  in  the 
new  ways  of  freedom,  then  they  began  to  ask  how  much 
independence  had  cost,  in  pounds,  shillings,  and  pence. 

To  give  only  two  specimens  of  individual  zeal  in  the  cause 
of  independence  among  us,  we  may  mention  the  remark  of 
our  first  Medford  merchant,  Benjamin  Hall,  Esq. :  — 

"  When  the  struggle  began,  in  1775, 1  would  not  have  exchanged 
my  property  for  that  of  any  man  in  Middlesex  County ;  and  now, 
in  1784,  I  am  worth  nothing." 

The  other  case  is  that  of  Rev.  Edward  Brooks.  He  was 
librarian  of  Harvard  College  two  years.  On  the  19th  of 
April,  1775,  he  hastened  towards  Lexington,  and  did  duty 
through  the  day.  Lieut.  Gould,  taken  prisoner  at  Concord, 
was  committed  to  his  custody  at  Medford.  He  was  chaplain 
in  the  frigate  "  Hancock,"  in  1777,  when  she  captured  the 
British  frigate  "  Fox."  Afterwards,  when  the  "  Hancock  "  and 
"  Fox  "  were  retaken  by  the  British  off  Halifax,  he  was  carried 
there  as  prisoner  of  war,  but  was  soon  released.  He  had 
not  money  to  give,  but  he  would  have  given  his  life,  to  the 
American  cause.  He  died  at  Medford,  May  6,  1781, 
aged  48. 

Medford  took  steps  to  pay  its  debts  at  the  earliest  pe- 
riod. It  was  to  be  done  by  degrees ;  and,  May  12, 1785,  they 
vote  thus  :  "  To  raise  £400  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the 
town,  and  <£400  towards  sinking  the  town-debt."  The  next 
year  they  vote  that  "  one  quarter  of  the  town's  debt  be  paid 
this  year."  They  thus  continued  the  wise  work  of  liqui- 
dating all  claims  against  their  treasury,  and,  before  many 
years,  were  free  also  in  this  particular. 

Our  fathers  shared  largely  in  the  intense  anxiety  which 
pervaded  the  United  States,  from  the  declaration  of  peace  in 
1783  to  the  adoption  of  the  Federal  Constitution  in  1788. 
Though  independence  was  achieved,  yet  it  might  prove  a 
curse,  if  a  form  of  government  could  not  be  adopted  which 
would  harmoniously  unite  all  the  Colonies  into  a  strong,  just, 


POLITICAL    HISTORY.  159 

and  brotherly  union.  To  draft  such  a  constitution  required 
all  the  Numas,  Lycurguses,  and  Solons  of  the  land.  There 
was,  in  the  country,  the  wisdom,  the  learning,  the  patriot- 
ism, and  the  virtue  necessary  for  the  stupendous  and  all- 
important  work ;  but  attending  circumstances  were,  in  some 
respects,  unpropitious.  Differing  opinions  and  opposite 
interests,  state  rights  and  state  sovereignties  already  estab- 
lished, the  disbanded  soldiers  sowing  discontent  and  immora- 
lity among  the  citizens,  the  enormous  public  and  private 
debts,  the  unwarrantably  large  importations  of  foreign  mer- 
chandise, the  draining  of  the  specie  from  the  country,  and 
the  fear  of  a  political  chaos,  —  all  these  fertile  sources  of 
alarm  rendered  the  formation  of  a  durable  federal  compact  a 
gigantic  labor.  March  10,  1787,  a  convention  of  delegates 
from  the  several  States  was  agreed  upon,  who  should  prepare 
a  form  of  government  which  should  "  render  the  Federal 
Constitution  adequate  to  the  exigencies  of  government  and 
the  preservation  of  the  Union."  This  convention  was  to 
meet  in  Philadelphia  on  the  second  Monday  of  May  next. 
The  General  Court  appoint  Francis  Dana,  Elbridge  Gerry, 
Nathaniel  Gorham,  Rufus  King,  and  Caleb  Strong  as  Dele- 
gates from  Massachusetts. 

At  this  juncture,  the  late  requisition  of  Congress,  Aug.  2, 
1786,  for  $3,777,062,  calls  on  our  Commonwealth  to  pay 
its  proportion,  which  was  $324,746.  The  murmurs  of  the 
people,  under  what  they  deemed  excessive  taxation,  became 
loud  and  emphatic.  There  were  those  who  were  ready  to 
rise  in  rebellion  against  the  government,  and  throw  the  whole 
fabric  of  American  liberty  in  ruins.  This  suicidal  sophistry 
found  its  advocate  in  Shays,  who  put  himself  at  the  head  of  a 
military  force  of  eleven  hundred  men.  The  Governor  of 
Massachusetts  ordered  out  four  thousand  four  hundred  troops 
of  militia  and  four  companies  of  artillery,  who,  under  Gen. 
Lincoln,  marched  to  Worcester,  Jan.  22.  General  Shepherd 
took  possession  of  the  arsenal  at  Springfield,  and,  on  the 
25th  of  that  month,  encountered  Shays,  and  soon  scattered 
his  adherents  to  the  four  winds,  leaving  upon  the  field 
three  of  them  killed,  and  one  wounded.  This  base  attempt 
to  involve  the  country  in  civil  war  being  thus  promptly  and 
totally  crushed,  while  it  united  anew  the  friends  of  freedom  and 
order,  put  a  final  check  to  further  insurrections.  We  have 
mentioned  these  facts  to  show  the  fidelity  of  our  Medford 
patriots  to  the  cause  of  their  country ;  for  no  sooner  had  this 


160  HISTOKY    OF    MEDFORD. 

subversive  movement  been  taken,  than  our  town  votes  its 
entire  disapprobation  of  the  traitorous  scheme,  and  offers  to 
pay  any  soldiers  who  would  volunteer  to  put  it  down.  Young 
men  went,  and  they  were  paid  accordingly. 

The  Constitution  of  the  United  States  was  adopted  by 
Massachusetts,  Feb.  6,  1788,  in  its  Legislature,  by  a  vote  of 
187  yeas.  There  were  168  nays.  This  memorable  instru- 
ment, which,  among  its  other  agencies,  was  to  establish  an 
equitable  system  of  taxation,  regulate  trade,  and  secure  pro- 
perty, was  also  to  inaugurate  order  and  peace,  to  foster  com- 
merce, encourage  agriculture,  and  promote  useful  arts.  Our 
ancestors  felt  satisfied  with  its  provisions,  and  were  not  dis- 
appointed in  its  promises. 

At  this  time  arose  the  two  great  parties,  the  "  Federalists  " 
and  "  Antifederalists  ;  "  the  one  supporting,  and  the  other 
opposing,  our  present  Constitution.  The  name  "Antifede- 
ralist  "  was  soon  dropped,  and  that  of  "  Republican  "  substi- 
tuted. 

Provided  with  two  constitutions,  one  for  their  native  State, 
and  the  other  for  their  country,  the  time  had  now  arrived  for 
the  organization  of  a  general  government ;  and  the  citizens 
of  the  United  States  now  collect  in  their  several  towns,  and, 
for  the  first  time,  give  in  their  votes  for  a  President  of  the 
Republic.  The  ballot  for  electors  was  unanimous,  and  stood 
thus,  in  Medford,  Dec.  18,  1788  :  — 

Hon.  Judge  Dana      ...     25  |  Gen.  John  Brooks     ...     24 

The  government  of  the  country  being  now  administered 
by  President  Washington  with  wisdom,  power,  and  economy, 
several  years  of  quietness  and  prosperity  gave  rest  to  the 
public  mind.  Our  town  had  little  else  to  do  than  accord 
with  the  general  acts  of  Congress.  "When  the  Father  of  his 
Country  chose  to  decline  a  third  election  to  the  Presidency, 
the  preference  of  our  town  for  Mr.  Adams,  as  his  successor, 
was  unequivocally  shown ;  and  when  this  patriot  stood  can- 
didate a  second  time,  and  was  successfully  opposed  by  Mr. 
Jefferson,  Medford,  Nov.  7,  1796,  adhered  to  the  son  of 
Massachusetts,  in  a  unanimous  vote  of  41,  given  for  Benja- 
min Hall,  as  elector. 

The  death  of  General  Washington,  in  December,  1799, 
touched  every  American  heart  as  a  family  bereavement.  Its 
announcement  came  to  every  one  as  a  paralytic  shock,  and 


POLITICAL    HISTORY.  161 

each  one  felt  as  if  his  strength  had  been  suddenly  withdrawn. 
No  sooner  had  the  mournful  tidings  reached  Medford,  than 
the  inhabitants  came  together,  and,  Jan.  2,  1800,  expressed 
their  sorrow  at  the  sad  event,  resolvjng  by  vote,  — 

"  That  the  town  will  pay  suitable  respect  to  the  memory  of  the 
late  General  George  Washington;  and- that  a  Committee  of  eleven 
be  chosen  to  make  the  proper  arrangements." 

In  the  printed  order  of  services,  "  evincive  of  their  deep 
regret,"  the  Committee  request  as  follows :  — 

"1.  At  one  o'clock,  p.m.,  the  stores  and  shops  of  the  town  to  be 
shut.  The  bell  is  to  toll  from  one  o'clock  till  the  procession  shall 
arrive  at  the  meeting-house.  The  inhabitants  to  assemble  at  Union 
Hall,  with  a  black  crape  or  ribbon  upon  the  left  arm,  above  the 
elbow,  as  mourning.  The  scholars  of  the  town  school  to  join  the 
procession  in  a  body.  The  procession  to  move  at  two  o'clock, 
under  the  direction  of  the  Committee. 

"  2.  Females,  of  all  ages,  are  requested  to  wear  black  ribbons, 
and  to  be  seated  in  the  meeting-house  before  the  arrival  of  the  pro- 
cession. ' 

"  3.  Male  strangers  are  requested  to  join  the  procession. 

"  4.  After  the  procession  is  seated,  music,  suited  to  the  occa- 
sion. 

"  5.  Prayer,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Osgood. 

"  6.  Music. 

"  7.  Eulogy,  by  the  Hon.  John  Brooks,  Esq. 

"  8.  Music.     After  which,  the  bell  to  toll  till  sunset." 

Every  thing  was  thus  done  by  the  town  which  could 
express  grief  at  the  loss,  or  respect  for  the  memory,  of  the 
venerated  chief.  General  John  Brooks,  the  companion  in 
arms  of  the  illustrious  warrior,  and  one  of  his  favorite  friends, 
was  the  person,  of  all  others,  to  deliver  the  public  eulogy ;  and 
it  was  done  on  the  thirteenth  of  January.  On  that  day  all 
business  was  suspended  as  on  the  sacred  sabbath,  the  shops 
closed,  the  flags  at  half-mast,  the  meeting-house  robed  in 
black,  and  every  inhabitant  dressed  in  mourning  apparel; 
and  these  badges  were  continued  for  thirty  days.  In  form- 
ing the  funeral  procession,  the  children  of  the  town  preceded ; 
the  military,  with  muffled  drums,  were  in  attendance,  as  an 
escort ;  and  the  officers  of  the  town,  the  chaplain,  and  the 
orator,  were  accompanied  by  strangers  of  distinction.  The 
meeting-house,  as  the  writer  well  remembers,  was  crowded 
to  its  utmost  capacity  ;  and  the  funeral  music  and  impressive 
21 


162  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

prayers  were  in  proper  keeping  with  the  solemnities  of  the 
commemoration.  The  eulogy,  prepared  in  a  short  time,  was 
the  outflowing  of  a  warm  and  afflicted  heart.  It  was  written 
in  plain,  strong  language,  and  narrated,  with  lucid  order, 
the  prominent  facts  in  Washington's  life,  and  the  salient 
features  of  his  character.  It  was  printed  with  the  following 
titlepage :  — 

"  An  Eulogy  on  General  Washington,  delivered  before  the  inha- 
bitants of  the  town  of  Medford,  agreeably  to  their  vote,  and  at  the 
request  of  their  Committee,  on  the  13th  of  January,  1800.  By 
John  Brooks,  A.M.,  M.M.S.,  and  A.A.S.  Printed  by  Samuel  Hall, 
No.  53,  Cornhill,  Boston." 

We  give  a  few  extracts,  and  select  the  following  because 
they  are  short :  — 

"The  interjunction  of  public  eulogies  with  funeral  solemnities  is 
a  practice  neither  novel  nor  unusual.  Emanating  from  the  strength 
and  poignance  of  grief  for  departed  merit,  it  is  the  expression  of  an 
affection  of  the  human  heart  which  may  be  beneficially  indulged. 
.  .  .  Vain  would  be  the  attempts  of  the  most  accomplished  eulo- 
gist to  do  justice  to  a  character  so  transcendently  illustrious  as  that 
of  our  late  dear  and  much-loved  Washington.  ...  So  long  as 
wisdom  shall  be  revered,  talents  command  respect,  or  virtue  inspire 
esteem,  so  long  will  the  American  breast  exult  that  he  was  a  native 
of  this  western  world.  .  .  .  After  the  wanton  conflagration  and 
capture  of  our  sister  Charlestown,  and  the  untimely  death  of  the 
hopeful  Warren,  the  animating  presence  of  Washington,  who  was 
received  by  our  army  at  Cambridge,  in  July,  1775,  elevated  the 
drooping  spirits  of  the  troops,  then  forming  the  tardy  blockade  of 
Boston.  Without  discipline,  badly  armed,  and  destitute  of  artillery 
and  every  description  of  military  stores,  no  operations  against  the 
enemy  could  be  warrantably  undertaken  until  the  spring  of  the 
year  1776.  In  consequence  of  the  approaches  which  better  sup- 
plies had  enabled  the  army  to  make  against  the  enemy,  General 
Washington  then  compelled  them  to  abandon  our  capital.  .  .  .  He 
maintained,  through  all  vicissitudes,  a  virtuous  empire  over  the 
affections  of  his  countrymen.  .  .  .  General  Washington,  in  whom 
were  combined  the  fine  polish  of  Attic  refinement  with  the  stern- 
ness of  Spartan  virtue,  resisted  their  solicitations  with  address,  and 
their  menaces  with  firmness ;  and  the  faithful  guardian  of  his  coun- 
try's safety  and  honor,  obeying  the  dictates  of  a  severe  but  impos- 
ing policy,  assigned  the  hapless  Andre  to  the  destiny  of  a  spy.  .  .  . 
Such  is  the  structure  and  imbecility  of  the  human  mind,  that 
praise  is  exceedingly  prone  to  destroy  its  equilibrium;  but  the 
Aristides,  as  well  as  the  Fabius,  of  the  age,  neither  despondent  in 
adversity  nor  elated  with  success,  preserved  a  philosophical  equa- 


POLITICAL    HISTORY.  163 

nimity  amid  the  most  copious  effusions  of  enthusiasm  and  pane- 
gyric ;  and  when  a  Csesar  would  have  assumed  the  purple,  or  a 
Cromwell  usurped  the  protectorship,  he  resigned  with  eagerness 
the  proud  insignia  of  command,  and  converted  the  splendid  weapons 
of  war  into  the  humble  implements  of  the  arts  of  peace.  .  .  .  The 
name  of  Washington  is  pronounced  with  pleasure  and  with  pride 
by  the  people  of  every  civilized  nation  on  earth.  .  .  .  Thus  was 
our  much-loved  friend,  the  Father  of  his  Country,  great  in 
war,  great  in  peace,  great  in  life,  and  great  in  the  moment  of  his 
dissolution.  .  .  .  What  though  his  once  manly,  graceful  form  be 
now  mingling  with  its  native  dust ;  yet  Washington  still  lives 
immortal.  Yes  :  he  lives  in  his  matchless  example ;  he  lives  in 
those  lessons  of  wisdom  that  flowed  from  his  pen ;  he  lives  in  our 
hearts,  and  in  the  hearts  of  a  grateful  country;  he  lives,  transport- 
ing thought !  resplendent  in  glory,  in  the  realms  of  ceaseless  day." 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Osgood  preached  an  appropriate  sermon  to 
his  people  on  the  great  subject ;  the  town  voted  to  print 
it,  and  to  append  to  it  Washington's  "  Farewell  Address," 
and  then  to  give  a  copy  to  each  family  in  town.  When 
February  22  arrived,  the  meeting-house  in  Medford  was 
open  for  religious  exercises,  and  the  day  was  kept  as 
sacred. 

During  the  presidential  canvass,  in  1800,  party  lines  began 
to  assume  definiteness,  and  that  great  contest  of  parties  arose 
which  has  vexed  and  steadied  the  nation  ever  since.  Med- 
ford took  strongly  the  side  of  opposition  to  the  policy  of  Mr. 
Jefferson  and  his  immediate  successor,  and  sustained  the 
State  government  in  a  similar  course.  When  the  embargo 
of  18  07  was  laid,  the  people  of  Medford  felt  indignant.  So 
near  the  sea,  and  so  dependent  on  commerce,  they  became 
great  sufferers.  The  sloop  and  schooner  craft  of  our  river 
became  liable  to  irritating  detentions  on  their  shortest  coast- 
wise trips,  and  could  not  undertake  any  profitable  trade. 
Commerce,  for  the  time,  was  struck  dead.  Fishermen  could 
not  sell  their  fish,  or  carry  them  where  a  market  could  be 
had ;  men  unaccustomed  to  manufactures  could  not  engage 
in  them  with  profit ;  agriculture  could  be  rendered  available 
only  in  small  degrees ;  merchants,  who  would  have  had  car- 
goes in  every  clime,  were  anchored  in  idleness  per  force ; 
mechanics,  whom  commerce  fed,  were  reduced  to  want ;  and, 
in  short,  a  general  paralysis  struck  down  the  labor  and  enter 
prise  of  the  North.  By  recurring  to  the  votes  for  Governor 
and  members  of  Congress,  during  these  two  or  three  years, 
it  will  be  seen  how  almost  unanimously  the  inhabitants  of 


164  HISTORY    OP    MEDFORD. 

Medford  went  against  the  plans  and  policy  of  the  central 
government. 

"When  the  war  with  Great  Britain  was  declared,  June  18, 
1812,  the  town  of  Medford  took  decisive  stand  against  this 
measure  of  Mr.  Madison,  and  in  their  opposition  were 
cheered  and  strengthened  by  their  pastor,  who  seized  every 
occasion  that  offered  to -hurl  the  thunders  of  the  Old  and 
New  Testament,  and  his  own  also,  upon  the  authors  of  the 
"  abominable  wickedness."  The  country  sustained  the 
government ;  and  the  good  effects  which  were  anticipated 
from  this  series  of  measures  showed  themselves  at  last,  and 
are  now  making  New  England  rich  and  strong.  The  "  Hart- 
ford Convention,"  which  was  called  in  the  midst  of  the  coun- 
try's struggle  and  gloom,  December,  1814,  had  one  member 
from  Medford.  That  convention  was  supposed  to  be  patri- 
otic and  wise  in  its  inception,  but  is  now  believed  by  many 
to  have  ended  in  words  and  smoke. 

The  selection  of  General  John  Brooks,  as  candidate  for  the 
office  of  Governor  of  Massachusetts,  gratified  the  people  of 
Medford ;  and,  if  party  ties  could  have  been  sundered,  it  is 
believed  he  would  have  received  the  vote  of  every  individual 
in  the  town.  As  it  was,  few  only  voted  against  him ;  and, 
through  seven  elections,  Medford  stood  by  its  son  with 
unaltered  affection.  His  refusal  to  continue  in  office  cast  a 
gloom  through  every  family.  Never  was  a  man  more  truly 
or  justly  beloved.  During  his  administration,  Medford 
seemed  to  be  the  head  of  the  Commonwealth. 

The  coming  into  Medford  of  ship-carpenters  who  belonged 
to  the  Democratic  party,  and  the  gradual  change  of  policy  in 
the  national  administration,  both  helped  to  change  the  forces 
of  town  politics.  As  parties  became  more  equally  divided 
among  us,  the  warmth  of  conflict  increased ;  and,  on  some 
occasions,  it  was  fearfully  great.  The  two  parties  wore  several 
names  between  the  administrations  of  Mr.  Monroe  and  Mr.  Van 
Buren  ;  but  Medford  became  as  fully  and  strongly  "  Demo- 
cratic "  as  it  had  once  been  "Federal."  The  first  time  a 
plurality  was  obtained  by  the  Democratic  party  in  Medford 
was  April,  1828  ;  and  they  lost  it  in  1854. 

The  multiplication  and  mixture  of  new  issues  in  politics 
have  so  broken  society  into  divisions,  and  crumbled  it  into 
fragments,  that  old-fashioned  patriots  are  confounded,  and 
withdraw  from  the  conflict  altogether.  A  signboard,  planted 
at  the  entrance  of  several  roads,  would  not  be  a  very  safe 


POLITICAL    HISTOKY. 


165 


guide  to  a  stranger,  if  it  was  made  to  perform,  at  the  same 
time,  the  office  of  weathercock.  "We  have  no  doubt  that  this 
bewildering  jumble  of  political  parties  in  our  country  will 
lead  to  good  and  safe  results.  Each  has  its  mission ;  each 
works  out  its  idea ;  and,  by  their  centripetal  and  centrifugal 
forces,  they  unexpectedly  keep  the  country  in  the  orbit  of 
safety.  The  war  carried  on  against  Mexico,  during  Mr. 
Polk's  administration,  received  the  approbation  and  support 
of  a  majority  of  the  inhabitants  of  Medford.  That  war  gave 
a  President  to  the  United  States,  in  a  laurelled  hero,  who 
changed  that  majority  in  this  town. 

Medford  furnished  a  small  number  of  soldiers  for  that 
war.  No  one  of  them  was  killed ;  yet  only  one  returned 
to  reside  here. 

Nov.  1,  1830  :  Voted  that  the  town  approve  of  the  Address 
of  the  Bunker-hill  Monument  Association,  which  has  now 
been  read,  and  "  request  their  Representative  to  promote  such 
appropriation." 

1831:  Medford  instructs  its  Representatives  in  the  Gene- 
ral Court  to  oppose  all  measures  which  tend  to  make  the 
number  of  Representatives  in  Massachusetts  more  than  two 
hundred. 

A  convention  was  called  for  revising  the  Constitution  of 
Massachusetts;  and,  Oct.  10,  1820,  Nathaniel  Hall  and 
Abner  Bartlett  were  chgsen  delegates.  On  the  9th  April, 
1821,  the  town  voted  to  accept  the  amended  draft.  The  vote 
was  as  follows  :  — 


Art.  1 

„  2 

»  3 

n  4 

„  5 

„  6 

„  7 


Yes. 

No. 

57 

24. 

40 

42. 

63 

17. 

59 

22. 

54 

28. 

71 

11. 

47 

33. 

Art.    8 


Yes. 

75 


9 47     35. 


K) 


43     39. 


11 69     12. 


12 


68     14. 


13 69     12. 

.14 61     21. 

Nov.,  1833  :  The  town  voted  on  an  amendment  of  the 
Constitution  of  the  State.  It  related  to  the  third  article  in 
the  Bill  of  Rights,  which  regulates  the  membership  of 
parishes.  By  the  amendment,  any  person  may  file  with  the 
clerk  of  the  parish  to  which  he  belongs  a  written  notice  that 
he  dissolves  his  relationship  to  that  religious  society,  and  it  is 
thereby  dissolved.  The  vote  in  Medford  was  one  hundred 
and  five  yeas  and  twelve  nays. 


166 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


Another  amendment  was  proposed  in  1840,  relating  to  the 
basis  of  representation  in  the  Senate  and  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives. On  this  "thirteenth  act  of  amendment  of  the 
Constitution  of  Massachusetts,"  Medford  voted  eighty-one 
yeas  and  one  nay. 

In  1852,  a  Convention  was  called  for  revising  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  State ;  and,  March  7,  1853,  William  Hoskins 
was  chosen  delegate. 

Nov.  14,  1853 :  The  town  voted  on  the  acceptance  of  the 
amended  draft  of  the  Constitution  as  follows :  — 


Yes. 

No. 

Yes. 

No. 

Proposition  No.  1 

.    338 

351. 

Proposition  No.  5 

346 

346 

»     2 

339 

352. 

»    6 

355 

345 

»           »    3 

334 

356. 

7 

340 

351 

55                        5>         ■* 

342 

349. 

»           »    8 

.    341 

347 

"We  seem  to  be  in  the  midst  of  prophetic  political  saltations. 
The  secret,  sudden,  and  effectual  dismemberment  of  the 
Whig,  Democratic,  and  Free  Soil  parties,  in  this  State,  by  the 
agency  of  an  association  improperly  called  "  Know  Nothings," 
gave  a  new  character  to  the  political  affairs  of  Medford ;  and, 
at  the  last  gubernatorial  election,  the  votes  stood  thus :  — 

Henry  J.  Gardner,  Know  Nothing 423. 

Emory  Washburn,  Whig 147. 

Henry  Bishop,  Democratic 29. 

H.  Wilson,  Free  Soil 9. 

To  the  honor  of  Medford  it  should  be  recorded,  that  amid 
the  fiercest  contentions  of  political  parties,  and  at  their  cau- 
cuses, and  at  their  ballotings,  there  have  never  been  instances 
of  ruthless  violence,  or  passionate  menace,  or  systematic  cor- 
ruption. The  meetings  have  been  marked  with  that  decorum 
and  self-respect  which  evince  an  intelligent  and  virtuous 
community. 


VOTES  IN  MEDFORD   FOR  REPRESENTATIVES  IN  CONGRESS. 


Dates  of  Election.  Names.  No.  of  Votes. 

Dec.  18,  1788.     William  Hull 16. 

Eleazer  Brooks 11. 

Oct.      4,  1790.     Elbridge  Gerry 46. 


POLITICAL    HISTORY.  167 

Dates  of  Election.  Names.  No.  of  Votes. 

Nov.    2,  1792.     Suffolk,  Fisher  Ames 16. 

Essex,  Benjamin  Goodhue 16. 

Middlesex,  Samuel  Dexter 12. 

FOR   THE   THREE    COUNTIES,    OR    DISTRICT. 

Nov.    2,  1792.     John  Coffin  Jones 15. 

FOR   THE    STATE   AT   LARGE,   EXCEPT   MAINE. 

David  Cobb 16. 

Nov.    3,  1794.     Benjamin  Goodhue 30. 

Nov.    7,  1796.     Samuel  Sewall  (unanimous). 

Nov.    5,  1798.     Samuel  Sewall 49. 

Nov.    3,  1800.     Nathan  Reed 83. 

Nov.    1,  1802.     John  Q.  Adams 95. 

William  Eustice 18. 

Nov.        1804.     Josiah  Quincy 100. 

William  Eustice 31. 

Nov.    3,  1806.     Josiah  Quincy 58. 

James  Prince 22. 

Nov.    7,  1808.     Josiah  Quincy 120. 

William  Jarvis 24. 

Nov.    5,  1810.     Josiah  Quincy 96. 

David  Tilden 18. 

Nov.    2,  1812.     Asahel  Stearns 72. 

William  M.  Richardson 11. 

Nov.    7,  1814.    Asahel  Stearns 191. 

Samuel  Dana 17. 

Nov.    4,1816.     Asahel  Stearns 150. 

Timothy  Fuller 20. 

Nov.    2, 1818.     Samuel  P.  P.  Fay 55. 

Timothy  Fuller 11. 

Nov.    6,  1820.     Samuel  P.  P.  Fay 34. 

Timothy  Fuller 32. 

Nov.    4,  1822.     Timothy  Fuller 37. 

Nov.    1,  1824.     Edward  Everett 84. 

John  Keyes 33. 

Nov.     6,  1826.     Edward  Everett 60. 

Nov.    3,  1828.     Edward  Everett 100. 

Luke  Fiske 64. 

Nov.    1,  1830.     Edward  Everett 72. 

James  Russell 30. 

Nov.  10,  1832.     No  Record. 

Nov.  10,  1834.     Samuel  Hoar 109. 

Heman  Lincoln 35. 

James  Russell 110. 

Nov.  14,  1836.     William  Parmenter 164. 

Samuel  Hoar 125. 


168 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


Dates  of  Election.  Names.  No.  of  Votes. 

Nov.  12,  1838.     William  Parmenter 178. 

Nathan  Brooks 164. 

Nov.    9,  1840.     William  Parmenter 248. 

Nathan  Brooks 216. 

Nov.    4,  1842.     Robert  Rantoul,  jun 275. 

Leverett  Saltonstall 151. 

William  B.  Dodge 25. 

Nov.  11,  1844.     George  Hood 254. 

Daniel  P.  King 211. 

Henry  B.  Stanton 57. 

Nov.    9,  1846.     Daniel  P.  King 157. 

George  W.  Dike 156. 

Increase  H.  Brown 12. 

Nov.  13,  1848.     Daniel  P.  King 244. 

Robert  Rantoul,  jun 200. 

Caleb  Stetson 70. 

Nov.  11,  1850.     Charles  W.  Upham    .     .     .*• 232. 

Robert  Rantoul,  jun 217. 

Samuel  E.  Sewall 64. 

Nov.    8,  1852.     Francis  B.  Fay 200. 

George  Hood 192. 

John  B.  Alley 64. 

George  Osborn 62. 

Nov.  13,  1854.     Nathaniel  P.  Banks 470. 

Luther  V.  Bell 136. 


COUNCILLORS  AND   SENATORS. 


John  Brooks,  Councillor  .  1812. 
P.  C.  Brooks,  „  .  1818. 
Timothy  Bigelow,  „  .  1820. 


James  M.  Usher,  Senator,  1851. 
Sanford  B.  Perry,  „  1852. 
E.  C.  Baker,  „        1855. 


REPRESENTATIVES  OF  MEDFORD  IN  THE  GENERAL  COURT. 


Peter  Tufts.     .    chosen     1689. 

John  Allford     . 

chosen     1726. 

Peter  Tufts .     .     . 

.     1690. 

Benjamin  Willis   .     .     .     1730. 

Nathaniel  Wade   . 

.     .     1692. 

William  Willis 

1735. 

Peter  Tufts .     .     . 

.     .     1694. 

John  Hall    .     . 

.     1741. 

Thomas  Willis      . 

.     1703. 

William  Willis 

.     1742. 

Ebenezer  Brooks  . 

.     .     1704. 

Andrew  Hall    . 

.     1744. 

Thomas  Willis      . 

.     1705. 

Stephen  Hall    . 

.     1751. 

Stephen  Willis      . 

.     1708. 

Samuel  Brooks 

1762. 

Thomas  Tufts  .     . 

.     1714. 

Stephen  Hall   . 

1763. 

Peter  Tufts .     .     . 

.     1715. 

Benjamin  Hall 

1770. 

Thomas  Tufts  .     . 

.     1718. 

Simon  Tufts 

1772. 

John  Bradshaw     . 

.     1722. 

Benjamin  Hall 

1775. 

Samuel  Brooks 

.     1723. 

Thomas  Brooks    . 

1776. 

POLITICAL    HISTORY. 


169 


T.  Brooks,  (under  the  Con- 

Frederick A.  Kendall 

1834. 

stitution)  .     .     . 

1780. 

Timothy  Cotting  .     . 

1834. 

Thomas  Brooks     .     . 

1781. 

John  King  .... 

1835. 

Aaron  Hall.     .     .     . 

1782. 

James  0.  Curtis    .     . 

1836. 

John  Brooks     .     .     . 

1785. 

George  W.  Porter     . 

1837. 

James  Wyman      .     . 

1787. 

Lewis  Richardson 

1838. 

Thomas  Brooks     .     . 

1788. 

Leonard  Bucknam     . 

1838. 

Ebenezer  Hall      .     . 

1789. 

Alexander  Gregg 

1840. 

Nathaniel  Hall      .     . 

1800. 

Thatcher  R.  Raymond 

1843. 

Timothy  Bigelow .     . 

1808. 

Gorham  Brooks    .     . 

1846. 

Dudley  Hall     .     .     . 

1813. 

Joseph  P.  Hall      .     . 

1847. 

Abner  Bartlett      .     . 

1815. 

Thatcher  R.  Raymond 

1850. 

Turell  Tufts     .     .     . 

1824. 

Joseph  P.  Hall      .     . 

1851. 

Thatcher  Magoun 

1825. 

James  M.  Usher  .     . 

1852. 

John  B.  Fitch  .     .     . 

1826. 

Joseph  P.  Hall     .     . 

1853. 

John  Sparrell   .     .     . 

1831. 

Jonathan  Oldham 

1854. 

Thomas  R.  Peck  .     . 

1833. 

JUSTICES  OF  THE  PEACE  IN  MEDFORD. 


{From  Massachusetts  Eecords.) 


Thomas  Brooks   . 

.    Mar.  27, 

1781 

Benjamin  Hall    . 

„      „ 

>» 

Stephen  Hall,  3d 

•        >»      »» 

„ 

Edward  Brooks  . 

»      »» 

Timothy  Fitch     . 

.     Sept.  26, 

1783 

John  Brooks  .     . 

Jan.    28, 

1785 

John  Brooks  .     . 

April  26, 

1787 

Benjamin  Hall    . 

Mar.  14, 

1788 

Stephen  Hall,  jun. 

»       i> 

>» 

Thomas  Brooks  . 

„       „ 

,, 

Aaron  Putnam    . 

June  25, 

1789 

Thomas  Brooks  . 

Feb.   28, 

1795 

Ebenezer  Hall     . 

April  16, 

1798 

Samuel  Swan 

May   29, 

,, 

Samuel  Swan 

June  13, 

1800 

Nathaniel  Hall    . 

Feb.      3, 

1803 

Samuel  Swan 

Jan.    29, 

1807 

Timothy  Bigelow 

Nov.    8, 

1808. 

Nathaniel  Hall    . 

Feb.     2, 

1810. 

Abner  Bartlett    . 

Mar.     6, 

M 

Nathan  Adams   . 

Feb.   25, 

1811. 

Nathaniel  Hall    . 

Nov.  20, 

1812. 

Isaac  Brooks  .     . 

Nov.  21, 

„ 

John  Brooks  .     . 

.    Feb.     8, 

1813 

Samuel  Swan 

»      20, 

Timothy  Bigelow 

.     July     3, 

1815. 

Dudley  Hall  .     . 

Jan.    27, 

1816. 

Jacob  Willard     . 

July     3, 

M 

William  Ward    . 

Nov.  20, 

Abner  Bartlett    . 

Feb.     6, 

1817. 

Nathan  Adams    . 

»      10, 

1818. 

Luther  Stearns 
Nathaniel  Hall 
Abner  Bartlett 
Samuel  Swan 
Turell  Tufts  . 
Abner  Bartlett 
Jonathan  Porter 
Dudley  Hall  . 
Jonathan  Brooks 
John  P.  Bigelow 
William  Ward 
Nathan  Adams 
Nathaniel  Hall 
Abner  Bartlett 
Turell  Tufts  . 
Jonathan  Porter 
Dudley  Hall  . 
Jonathan  Brooks 
Peter  C.  Brooks 
Nathan  Adams 
Nathaniel  Hall 
Abner  Bartlett 
Turell  Tufts    . 
Jonathan  Porter 
Dudley  Hall  . 
John  Sparrell . 
Thatcher  Magoun 
Nathan  Waite 
Jonathan  Brooks 
Daniel  Swan  . 
Nathan  Adams 


.     .     Jan. 

27, 

1819 

.     .     Aug. 

20, 

,, 

.     ,     Jan. 

26, 

1820. 

.     .     Jan. 

12, 

1821 

.     .     June 

16, 

t 

.     .     Feb. 

16, 

1822 

.     .    May 

7, 

,, 

.     .     Jan. 

1, 

1823 

s     .       ,, 
t     .     Feb. 

7, 

" 

.     .     Jan. 

7, 

1824 

.     .     Feb. 

8, 

1825 

.     .     July 

7, 

1826, 

.     .     Jan. 

4, 

1827. 

.     .     June 

5, 

1828. 

.     .    Feb. 

21, 

1829. 

.     .     Oct. 

1!), 

„ 

i      .     Jan. 

30, 

1830 

.     .     Dec. 

20, 

1831. 

.     .     Jan. 

25, 

1832. 

.     .     May 

18, 

1833. 

.     .     Dec. 

18, 

M 

.     .    Mar. 

28, 

1835. 

.     .     Jan. 

27, 

1836. 

.     .     Aug. 

30, 

„ 

.     .    Nov. 

24, 

n    .     Dec. 

6, 

31, 

» 

>      .    Jan. 

6, 

1837. 

.     .     July 

6, 

1838. 

.     .     Jan. 

8, 

1839. 

22 


170 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


Nathaniel  Hall    . 
Abncr  Bartlett    . 
Turell  Tufts    . 
Jonathan  Porter  . 
Henry  Porter  .     . 
Judah  Loring 
Alexander  Gregg 
Dudley  Hall   .     . 
John  Sparrell .     . 
Thatcher  Magoun 
Jonathan  Brooks 
Sanford  B.  Perry 


April  16, 

1840. 

Abner  Bartlett    .     . 

Oct.    12, 

1817 

Oct.      1, 

(! 

James  M.  Usher  .     . 

Jan.       1, 

1850 

Peb.   22, 

1842. 

Judah  Loring      .     . 

Pel).    12, 

' 

Dec.  17, 

|t 

Aaron  K.  Hathaway 

)i        >> 

Jan.     5, 

1843. 

Edmund  T.  Hastings 

>>        >> 

fJ 

Peb.  25, 

" 

Alexander  Gregg    . 
John  Sparrell      .     . 

July    19, 

» 

June    3, 

,, 

Thatcher  Raymond 

Jan.    31, 

1851 

Aug.  20, 

„ 

Timothy  Cotting      . 

April    2, 

„ 

Aug.  29, 

1843. 

George  W.  Porter    . 

April  21, 

1852 

Jan.      1, 

1844. 

T.  P.  Smith   .     .     . 

June     7, 

1853 

April  24, 

1847. 

COLONEL  ISAAC   ROYAL. 


As  one  of  the  wealthiest  citizens  of  Medford  was  fright- 
ened into  Toryism,  in  1775,  it  may  be  fit  to  give  a  short 
notice  of  the  facts,  especially  as  they  illustrate,  by  contrast, 
the  deep  devotion  of  the  rest  of  our  people  to  the  cause  of 
independence.  Abundant  evidence  exists  that  Medford  took 
an  early  and  decisive  stand  against  the  oppressions  of  the 
Crown,  and,  when  called  upon,  paid  taxes,  raised  soldiers, 
and  shed  blood  in  defence  of  American  liberty. 

Strong  and  steady  opposers  of  independence  there  certainly 
were  in  the  Colonies ;  and  it  therefore  required  superior 
wisdom  and  courage  to  meet  such  domestic  forces.  The 
patriots  were  baptized  by  the  royal  government  with  the  name 
of  "rebels,"  and  their  doings  called  "the  faction."  A  trial- 
question  was  brought  before  the  Whigs  and  Tories  in  a  town- 
meeting  held  at  Boston  in  June,  when  a  Tory  moved  to 
censure,  and  then  annihilate,  the  "  Committee  of  Correspond- 
ence."    The  Tory  speaker  said  of  the  Committee :  — 

"  It  is  the  foulest,  subtlest,  and  most  venomous  serpent  that  ever 
issued  from  the  eggs  of  sedition.  It  is  the  source  of  the  rebellion. 
I  saw  the  small  seed  when  it  was  implanted ;  it  was  as  a  grain  of 
mustard.  I  have  watched  the  plant  until  it  has  become  a  great 
tree ;  the  vilest  reptiles  that  crawl  upon  the  earth  are  concealed  at 
the  root ;  the  foulest  birds  of  the  air  rest  upon  its  branches.  I  now 
would  induce  you  to  go  to  work  immediately,  with  axes  and  hatch- 
ets, and  cut  it  down,  for  a  two-fold  reason :  because  it  is  a  pest  to 
society,  and  lest  it  be  felled  suddenly  by  a  stronger  arm,  and  crush 
its  thousands  in  the  fall." 

This  called  forth  Samuel  Adams,  the  author  and  right  arm 
of  the  Committee  ;  and,  with  his  upright  intent,  his  manly 
voice,  his  profound  good  sense,  his  irresistible  logic,  and  his 


COLONEL    ISAAC    ROYAL.  171 

New  England  heart,  he  crushed  the  specious  declamation  of 
the  Tory  orator.  From  Faneuil  Hall  the  crowd  went  to  the 
Old  South  Church ;  and,  so  far  from  being  censured,  the  Com- 
mittee was  thanked,  and  told  to  go  forward,  whatever  the 
consequences.  The  weaklings  of  royalty  quailed  before 
truth  and  right;  but  they  did  not  stop  their  vituperative 
tongues.  There  were  no  opprobious  epithets  in  the  language 
which  they  did  not  freely  bestow  on  the  patriot  cause.  One 
said,  "  The  annals  of  the  world  have  not  been  deformed  with 
a  single  instance  of  so  unnatural,  so  causeless,  so  wanton,  so 
wicked  a  rebellion."  The  patriot  leaders  were  called  "  calves, 
knaves,  and  fools  ;  "  "  self-interested  and  profligate  men ;  " 
"the  Boston  saints."  "The  merchants  form  a  part  of  those 
seditious  herds  of  fools  and  knaves ; "  and  "  the  generality 
of  young  Bostonians  are  bred  up  hypocrites  in  religion,  and 
pettifoggers  in  law."  Such  were  the  words  and  arguments  of 
the  Tories  against  the  cause  of  their  country.  No  wonder 
that  such  abuse  should  stir  the  blood  of  James  Otis  and  John 
Adams.  The  great  question  was  now  fairly  brought  before 
the  country  and  the  world ;  and  there  was  left  but  one  course 
for  patriotism  to  pursue,  —  which  was,  to  fight  for  liberty  and 
independence.  Our  fathers  met  the  issue ;  and  the  great  re- 
sults are  now  shaking  Europe  to  its  very  centre. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  say  more  here  to  introduce  the  topic 
under  remark. 

Medford  had  a  very  small  number  of  Tories ;  but  they 
should  have  historical  notice  at  our  hands.     Curwen  says :  — 

"  Of  nearly  two  hundred  exiled  Royalists  who  were  banished  by 
the  government  of  Massachusetts,  more  than  sixty  were  graduates 
of  Harvard  College.  Of  the  five  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
that  Province  at  the  commencement  of  the  difficulties,  the  Hon. 
William  Cushing  alone  was  of  patriot  principles;  and  he  was 
afterwards  on  the  bench  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United 
States." 

Our  patriot  fathers  felt  that  they  could  not  trust  those  to 
live  among  them  who  were  the  avowed  enemies  of  freedom 
or  the  avowed  supporters  of  the  Crown.  After  long  patience 
and  ready  allowances,  the  General  Court  felt  called  upon,  in 
self-defence,  to  pass  three  acts.  The  first  was  passed  Septem- 
ber, 1778,  entitled  "An  act  to  prevent  the  return  to  this  State 
of  certain  persons  therein  named,  and  others- who  have  left  this 
State,  or  either  of  the  United  States,  and  joined  the  enemies 


172  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

thereof."  The  second  was  passed  April  30,  1779,  and  was 
entitled  "  An  act  to  confiscate  the  estates  of  certain  notorious 
conspirators  against  the  government  and  liberties  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  late  Province,  now  State,  of  Massachusetts 
Bay."  The  third  was  passed  Sept.  30,  1779,  and  is  entitled 
"  An  act  for  confiscating  the  estates  of  certain  persons  com- 
monly called  absentees." 

It  is  worthy  of  note,  that  Colonel  Royal's  name  does  not 
appear  in  either  of  the  three  lists  of  proscribed  persons,  al- 
though he  was  for  twenty-two  years  a  member  of  the 
Governor's  Council.  It  is  apparent  that  he  loved  his  country 
and  his  friends ;  and  could  he  have  been  assured,  at  the  out- 
set, that  the  United  States  would  secure  their  independence, 
and  that  he  should  be  the  undisturbed  possessor  of  his  beau- 
tiful country-seat  in  Medford,  he  would  probably  have  taken 
side  with  his  old  friend,  Dr.  Tufts,  and  his  young  friend, 
Dr.  Brooks,  and  given  generously  for  the  cause  of  freedom. 
But  he  was  timid,  and  supposed,  as  such  men  generally  did, 
that  the  entire  army  and  navy  of  Great  Britain  would  soon 
be  here  to  burn,  sink,  and  kill  indiscriminately.  His  valor 
counselled  him  to  run.  But,  be  it  recorded  to  the  honor  of 
the  citizens  of  Medford,  he  was  the  only  deserter.  To  carry 
on  his  farm  after  his  departure,  was  found  to  be  sometimes 
difficult ;  for  "  the  honest  man's  scythe  refused  to  cut  Tory 
grass,  and  his  oxen  would  not  plough  Tory  ground." 

The  town  of  Medford  proceeded  gently  and  wisely  in 
taking  possession  of  the  estates  of  Tories  and  absentees.  The 
order  of  Court,  under  which  they  acted,  was  passed  April, 
1776.     "We  find  the  following  in  our  records  :  — 

"  Copy  of  the  return  made  to  the  General  Court,  pursuant  to  a 
resolve  of  the  Great  and  General  Court  passed  last  April,  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety,  &c,  of  the  town  of  Medford  have  proceeded  to 
take  into  their  care  the  estates  of  sundry  persons  who  are  deemed 
inimical  to  the  liberties  of  America,  of  which  the  following  is  a  true 
account,  viz. :  — 

"  Of  the  estate  belonging  to  Joseph  Thompson,  late  of  Medford : 
one  piece  pasture  land,  and  one  piece  marsh,  which  have  been  leased 
to  Richard  Crees,  one  year,  for  £7.  4s.  A  shop,  leased  to  William 
Gowen  for  40s.  per  annum.  Half  a  dwelling-house,  leased  to 
Jonathan  Patten,  one  year,  for  £6.  13s.  4c?.  Two-seventh  parts  of 
the  following  house  and  lands,  being  his  share  of  his  mother's 
thirds,  undivided  and  not  leased :  a  piece  of  plough-land,  half  an 
acre ;  a  piece  mowing-land,  one  acre ;  a  wood-lot,  four  acres ; 
one-third   of  half  a   dwelling-house.      197,650   unburned   bricks, 


COLONEL    ISAAC    ROYAL.  173 

1,886  feet  pine  boards,  taken  by  the  army,  for  which  pay  is  pro- 
mised.  A  pew  in  our  meeting-house,  not  leased.  Thirty-two 
dozen  of  tile,  sold  for  £3.  4s. 

"  Of  the  estate  belonging  to  Sir  William  Pepperell,  viz. :  a  pew 
in  our  meeting-house,  No.  16,  not  leased. 

"  Of  the  estate  belonging  to  one  Clewly,  in  Halifax,  left  in  the 
hands  of  Ichahod  Jones,  of  Boston,  his  trustee :  two  pieces  of  land 
leased  to  Paul  Wyman,  one  year,  for  £10. 

"  Joshua  Symonds,        ") 
Samuel  Kidder,  I     Committee 

Stephen  Hall,  jun.,  j  of  Safety,  &c. 
Ebenezer  Hall, 
«  Medford,  Aug.  26,  1776." 

Dr.  Simon  Tufts,  that  skilful  physician  and  polished  gen- 
tleman, wras  persuaded  to  accept  the  agency  of  Colonel  Royal's 
affairs  during  an  absence  which  was  meant  to  be  short.  The 
breaking  out  of  hostilities  so  near  to  him  as  Lexington  was 
too  much  for  the  colonel's  courage  j  and,  through  very  fear, 
he  started  for  he  knew  not  where.  He  arrived  safely  in 
Halifax,  and  there  wrote  his  friend,  Dr.  Tufts,  May,  1775, 
urging  him  to  become  his  agent,  in  taking  care  of  his  pro- 
perty. This  the  doctor  declined,  but  afterwards  accepted. 
From  Halifax,  Colonel  Royal  wrote  to  Dr.  Tufts,  under  date 
of  March  12,  1776,  concerning  certain  sales  of  slaves.  His 
directions  were  as  follows  :  — 

"  Please  to  sell  the  following  negroes :  Stephen  and  George  ; 
they  each  cost  £60,  sterling;  and  I  would  take  £50,  or  even  £15, 
apiece  for  them.  Hagar  cost  £35,  sterling;  but  I  will  take  £30  for 
her.  I  gave  for  Mira  £35,  but  will  take  £25.  If  Mr.  Benjamin 
Hall  will  give  the  $100  for  her  which  he  offered,  he  may  have  her, 
it  being  a  good  place.  As  to  Betsey,  and  her  daughter  Nancy,  the 
former  may  tarry,  or  take  her  freedom,  as  she  may  choose;  and 
Nancy  you  may  put  out  to  some  good  family  by  the  year." 

Colonel  Royal  was  then  on  the  eve  of  departure  for  Eng- 
land ;  and  he  thus  writes  to  his  friend  in  Medford :  — 

"I  shall  leave  North  America  with  great  reluctance;  but  my 
health  and  business  require  it ;  and  I  hope,  through  the  goodness  of 
God,  if  my  life  is  spared,  to  be  able  to  return  again  soon." 

In  August,  1777,  Dr.  Tufts  had  a  letter  from  him,  dated 
Kensington,  England.  Colonel  Cary,  who  had  married  a 
lady  from  New  York,  occupied  Colonel  Royal's   house   in 


174  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

1778.  The  house  and  farm  were  rented  for  £200.  At  a 
later  period,  when  three  gentlemen  bought  the  entire  estate 
on  speculation,  expecting  to  realize  large  fortunes  by  dividing 
the  whole  into  lots,  there  was  a  valuation  of  the  lots,  and  the 
sum  total  was  $ 8 1,996.00.  A  few  lots  were  sold;  and  the 
dreams  of  Croesus  became  those  of  Belisarius. 

Colonel  Royal's  opinions  and  conduct  respecting  the  strug- 
gles for  independence  subjected  him  to  suspicion.  The  Com- 
mittee of  Safety,  in  Medford,  felt  called  upon  to  examine 
into  facts ;  and  the  testimony  offered,  April  9,  1778,  was  as 
follows :  — 

"  Several  persons  were  this  day  examined  respecting  Colonel 
Royal's  political  behavior,  who  declared,  in  substance,  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

"  Simon  Tufts,  Esq.,  said  he  knew  of  nothing  said  Royal  had 
said  or  done  against  the  country ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  he  believed 
him  to  be  a  friend  of  the  American  cause.  That  said  Royal  being 
in  Boston  at  and  before  the  battle  of  Lexington,  the  confusion 
which  that  battle  occasioned  in  the  country  made  him  afraid  at  that 
time  and  afterwards  to  return  home  ;  and  that  said  confusion,  which 
prevailed  in  Boston,  made  him  afraid  to  stay  there  ;  accordingly  he 
went  to  Halifax,  and  from  thence  retired  back  into  the  country,  and 
afterwards  went  to  England.  That,  after  said  battle,  said  Royal 
sent  him  a  letter  of  attorney,  entreating  him  to  take  care  of  his 
estate  here  ;  but  he  (said  Tufts)  declined  it  on  account  of  his  own 
business,  and  returned  back  said  power.  That,  some  time  after,  find- 
ing said  Royal's  estate  in  a  wasting  condition,  he  sent  to  said  Royal, 
informing  him  that  he  would  undertake  the  care  of  it ;  and,  some 
time  after,  he  received  a  letter  from  said  Royal,  enclosing  another 
power  for  that  purpose,  dated  May  23, 1775  ;  upon  which  he  under- 
took to  act  as  his  attorney.  That  he  had  since  made  said  Royal  no 
remittances  of  any  of  the  rents  or  of  the  estate  (agreeable  to  a 
promise  he  had  made  to  a  former  Committee).  That  the  State  of 
Rhode  Island  having  sequestered  what  of  said  Royal's  estate  lay 
within  their  jurisdiction,  he  had  applied  to  the  General  Assembly 
there,  and  informed  them  of  the  letters  he  had  received  from  said 
Royal,  empowering  him  to  take  the  care  of  his  estate ;  and  that 
they,  after  examination  made,  delivered  the  said  estate  up  to  him ; 
and  he  has  held  it  ever  since,  as  attorney  aforesaid. 

"  Mr.  Peter  Tufts  declared,  That,  about  a  fortnight  before  Lex- 
ington battle,  Colonel  Royal  told  him  that  it  would  not  do  for  us  to' 
resist  Great  Britain,  for  they  were  too  strong  for  us,  and  would 
send  over  ten  thousand  Russians,  who  would  subdue  us ;  and  that, 
by  his  conversation,  it  appeared  to  him  (the  said  Tufts)  that  said 
Royal  was  for  surrendering  up  all  to  Great  Britain,  rather  than 
make  resistance. 


COLONEL    ISAAC    ROYAL.  175 

"  Mr.  Samuel  Winship  declared,  That,  on  Sunday  before  said 
battle,  said  Koyal  went  in  his  coach  to  Boston,  and  took  with  him 
a  pair  of  pistols  and  a  carabine,  but  for  what  end  he  did  not  know, 
nor  never  heard  ;  that,  at  the  same  time,  he  left  iu  his  house  two 
fi rearms,  which  Mr.  Poor,  some  days  after,  carried  to  Water- 
town. 

"  Captain  Isaac  Hall  declared,  That,  the  winter  before  said  bat- 
tle, he  went  to  settle  accounts  with  said  Royal,  at  his  house ;  and 
that  said  Koyal  showed  him  his  arms  and  accoutrements  (which 
wore  in  very  good  order),  and  told  him  that  he  determined  to  stand 
for  his  country,  &c. 

"  Mr.  Billings  said,  That  he  heard  Captain  Jenks  say,  that, 
a  day  or  two  before  said  battle,  Colonel  Royal  sent  for  him,  and 
desired  him  to  go  to  Salem,  and  procure  him  a  passage  to  Antigua 
in  a  vessel  bound  there ;  and  that  he  (said  Jenks)  would  have 
gone,  but  the  battle  prevented  him." 

To  this  testimony  may  be  added  that  of  Colonel  Royal 
himself.  In  a  letter  to  Dr.  Tufts,  dated  "  Kensington,  April 
12,  1779,"  he  says  :  — 

"  I  doubt  not  you,  and  Mr.  Hall,  and  the  rest  of  my  friends,  will 
do  all  in  your  power  to  procure  me  liberty  from  the  General  Court 
to  return  home  as  soon  as  my  health  will  admit  of." 

He  vindicated  his  character  against  the  charge  of  treachery 
to  his  country ;  and,  in  another  letter,  dated  August  22, 
1779,  says :  — 

"  When  I  was  in  the  General  Court,  I  made  the  public  good  my 
aim  in  every  thing  that  I  endeavored  to  do,  which  I  think  every 
man  ought  to." 

Mere  fright  should  not  be  considered  as  constituting  Tory- 
ism. A  true  Tory  must  have  had  a  force  of  reason  and 
sense  of  right  wholly  inconsistent  with  cowardice.  Colonel 
Royal's  force  of  mind  was  not  sufficient  to  make  him  a  strong 
enemy  of  any  thing.  He  is  mentioned  in  Curwen's  letters  ; 
and  there  Mr.  George  A.  "Ward  speaks  of  him  thus :  — 

"  Hon.  Isaac  Royal,  of  Medford,  was  remarked  by  every  one  for 
his  timidity ;  he  halted  between  two  opinions,  respecting  the  Revo- 
lution, until  the  cannonading  at  Lexington  drove  him  to  Newbury- 
port,  and  then  to  Halifax ;  and,  after  living  some  time  in  retirement, 
he  embarked  for  Europe.  He  was  a  proscribed  refugee ;  and  his 
estate,  since  that  of  Jacob  Tidd,  Esq.,  was  confiscated.  He  died  of 
small-pox,  in  England,  October,  1781.     His  bounty  laid  the  first 


176  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

professorship  of  law  at  Cambridge ;  and  a  legacy  of  plate  to  the 
first  church  in  Medford  shows  that  his  regard  for  his  country  was 
not  weakened  by  distance  nor  seared  by  proscription.  He  be- 
queathed more  than  two  thousand  acres  of  land,  in  Granby  and 
Koyalton,  in  Worcester  County,  for  the  establishment  of  the  afore- 
said professorship.  He  was,  for  twenty-two  years,  a  member  of 
the  Council.  His  virtues  and  popularity  at  first  saved  his  estate, 
as  his  name  was  not  included  with  those  of  his  sons-in-law,  Sir 
William  Pepperell  and  George  Erving,  in  the  '  Conspirator's  Act ; ' 
but,  on  the  representation  of  the  Selectmen  of  Medford  '  that  he 
went  voluntarily  to  our  enemies,'  his  property  was  forfeited  and 
taken  under  the  Confiscation  Act.  He  made  bequests  to  Medford 
and  Worcester,  and  legacies  to  the  clergymen.  While  a  member 
of  the  House  of  Representatives,  he  presented  the  chandelier  which 
adorns  its  hall. 

"  George  Erving,  Esq.,  merchant,  of  Boston,  who  married  one 
of  Colonel  Royal's  daughters,  was  a  refugee  included  in  the  '  Con- 
spirator's Act.'     He  died  in  London,  Jan.  16,  1806,  aged  70. 

"  General  Sir  William  Pepperell,  baronet,  was  born  at  Kittery 
Point,  Maine,  in  1696.     He  died  at  Kittery,  June  6,  1759. 

"  Colonel  Royal  was  appointed  one  of  the  '  Mandamus  Council- 
lors'  for  this  Province  by  his  Majesty,  Aug.  9,  1794;  but  he  did 
not  take  the  oath  of  office." 

1743 :  He  gave  Charlestown  £100,  which,  was  used  to 
build  a  parsonage.  While  Representative,  he  returned  to 
the  town  treasury  his  salary.  In  1745,  he  gave  X80  to  the 
school  on  Charlestown  Neck. 

By  his  will,  he  gave  to  Medford  one  hundred  acres  of  land 
in  Granby  (South  Hadley),  "for  the  use  and  better  support " 
of  the  common  schools  of  the  town.  This  Granby  farm  was 
sold,  1788,  for  one  hundred  dollars,  to  Mr.  Richard  Hall. 

Generosity  was  native  with  him,  and  shone  the  salient 
feature  of  his  character.  He  loved  to  give,  and  loved  to 
speak  of  it,  and  loved  the  reputation  of  it.  Hospitality,  too, 
was  almost  a  passion  with  him.  No  houso  in  the  Colony 
was  more  open  to  friends  ;  no  gentleman  gave  better  din- 
ners, or  drank  costlier  wines.  As  a  master,  he  was  kind  to 
his  slaves  ;  charitable  to  the  poor,  and  friendly  to  everybody. 
He  kept  a  daily  journal,  minutely  descriptive  of  every  visitor, 
topic,  and  incident,  and  even  descended  to  recording  what 
slippers  he  wore,  how  much  tar-water  he  drank,  and  when 
he  went  to  bed !  He  was  a  strict  observer  of  religious  forms, 
and  a  generous  supporter  of  Christian  institutions.  He  was 
a  Tory  against  his  will.  It  was  the  frailty  of  his  blood  more 
than  the  fault  of  his  judgment.     Not  that  he  loved  the  Colo- 


COLONEL    ISAAC    ROYAL.  177 

nics  less,  but  that  he  feared  England  more.  He  wanted 
that  unbending,  hickory  toughness  which  the  times  required. 
New  England  needed  men  who  were  as  splinters  from  her 
own  granite  hills ;  and  he  was  not  one  of  that  type. 

His  gift  of  two  thousand  acres  of  land  to  Harvard  College, 
to  found  a  Professorship  of  Law,  was  by  his  last  will.  His 
words  concerning  his  gift  are  :  — 

"  To  be  appropriated  towards  the  endowing  a  Professorship  of 
Law  in  said  College,  or  a  Professorship  of  Physic  or  Anatomy, 
whichever  the  Corporation  and  Overseers  of  said  College  shall  judge 
best  for  its  benefit ;  and  they  shall  have  full  power  to  sell  said  lands, 
and  put  the  money  out  to  interest,  the  income  whereof  shall  be  for 
the  aforesaid  purpose." 

These  funds  were  left  to  accumulate  till  1815,  when  it 
was  deemed  expedient  to  establish  a  Professorship  of  Law. 
The  next  year,  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Judicial 
Court  of  Massachusetts,  Hon.  Isaac  Parker,  was  elected, 
bearing  the  title,  "  Koyall  Professor  of  Law." 

This  learned  and  worthy  man  gave  a  course  of  lectures 
immediately ;  and,  when  thus  brought  in  contact  with 
college  and  legal  education,  he  suggested  the  establishment 
of  a  "  Law  School  at  Cambridge."  This  recommendation 
was  joyfully  greeted  ;  and,  in  1817,  the  law  school  was  estab- 
lished. Thus  Colonel  Royal  was  indirectly  an  originator  of 
that  school.  Professor  Parker  held  office  for  eleven  years, 
and,  in  1827,  resigned.  Hon.  Asahel  Stearns  (brother  of 
Dr.  Stearns,  of  Medford)  was  then  chosen,  1817,  and  served 
acceptably  till  1829,  when  John  Hooker  Ashman  succeeded. 
He  died,  in  office,  in  1833  ;  and,  in  1834,  Hon.  Simon  Green- 
leaf  was  chosen,  and  performed  his  duties  with  eminent  suc- 
cess. He  resigned  in  1848,  and  was  succeeded  by  Hon. 
Theophilus  Parsons,  who  is  now  in  office. 

These  distinguished  jurisconsults  have  each  paid  a  tribute 
of  respect  to  the  memory  of  Colonel  Royal,  of  Medford,  and 
have  recognized  him  as  the  primal  cause  of  the  establishment 
of  a  permanent  school  for  that  second  of  sciences,  jurispru- 
dence. 

Colonel  Isaac  Royal  was  born,  in  the  Island  of  Antigua,  in 
1719.  The  English  had  established  themselves  there  as 
early  as  1636.  The  father  of  our  townsman,  who  gave  his 
own  Christian  name  to  his  son,  possessed  great  wealth,  and, 
turning   his    eyes    to    Massachusetts,    purchased    of    Eliza- 


178  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

beth,  widow  of  John  Usher  (Lieutenant-Governor),  five 
hundred  and  four  acres,  three  quarters,  and  twenty-three 
rods  of  land,  for  £10,350.  7s.  9d.,  on  the  26th  December,  1732. 
The  record  runs  thus  :  — 

"  This  estate  is  bounded  south-west  on  Menotomy  Road  ;  west, 
on  land  of  Nathaniel  Tufts,  Aaron  Cleveland,  and  John  Tufts  ; 
east,  on  the  river  and  salt  marsh  of  Captain  Samuel  Brooks  in  part, 
and  part  on  river  and  salt  marsh  now  improved  by  Josiah  Whitte- 
more ;  and  south-east,  on  land  of  said  Whittemore,  lying  on  both 
sides  of  Medford  or  Mystic  Road." 

Colonel  Royal  came  here  with  his  family  in  1738.  He  died 
in  Medford  on  Thursday,  June  7,  1739,  in  the  forenoon, 
was  buried  in  Medford  on  Saturday,  10th  inst.,  and  was  car- 
ried, the  same  night,  to  Dorchester,  and  there  "  buried  in  his 
marble  tomb."  His  wife  died  April  21,  1747,  and  was  buried 
from  Colonel  Oliver's  house,  in  Dorchester.  The  tomb  is 
entire  at  this  time.  His  son,  who  seemed  also  to  inherit  his 
father's  title  of  colonel,  fixed  his  residence  in  the  house  now 
standing,  and  which  is  yet  called  the  "Royal  House."  It 
was  built  by  Colonel  Royal,  into  its  present  form,  by  enlarging 
the  house  built  by  Lieutenant-Governor  Usher  on  that  spot. 
A  thick  wall,  running  through  its  centre,  shows  the  outer 
wall  of  the  former  building.  Some  diversities  in  the  height 
of  rooms  indicate  the  same  fact.  Its  exterior  form  is  a  copy 
of  a  nobleman's  house  in  Antigua ;  and  its  present  owner, 
Mrs.  Tidd,  has  carefully  preserved  the  form  given  to  it  by 
Colonel  Royal.  It  was  at  first  within  the  limits  of  Charles- 
town  ;  and  Colonel  Royal  was  chosen  Representative  by  that 
town  nine  years  in  succession,  from  1743  to  1752.  In  1752, 
he  was  promoted  to  a  seat  at  the  Council  Board,  and,  for 
twenty-two  years,  performed  his  duties  acceptably  in  that 
office. 

When  Harvard  Hall  was  burnt,  Jan.  24,  1764,  and  the 
entire  library  of  the  College  destroyed,  he  contributed  most 
generously  for  the  purchase  of  another.  The  first  mention 
of  him  in  the  Medford  Records  is  May  8,  1754,  when  he 
was  chosen  Moderator  in  the  town-meeting.  For  sixteen 
years,  he  was  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Selectmen. 

He  died  of  small-pox,  in  England,  in  1781,  and  was  buried 
there.  His  wife  died  in  1770.  Funeral  sermon  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Turell. 

We  have  shown  above  how  the  virtues  and  hospitality  of 
his  character  secured  his  estates  from  confiscation,  when  those 


COLONEL    ISAAC    ROYAL. 


179 


of  his  sons-in-law,  Mr.  George  Erving  and  Sir  William  Pep- 
perell,  were  not  spared.  But  when  it  was  subsequently 
testified  that  "  he  had  gone  voluntarily  to  our  enemies,"  and 
his  estates  were  therefore  confiscated  in  1778,  he  writes 
to  Mr.  Edmund  Quincy,  of  Boston,  1779,  complaining  bit- 
terly of  this  injustice,  declaring  that  he  had  been  prevented 
from  returning  to  Medford  solely  by  ill  health.  These 
acts  of  oppression,  as  viewed  by  him,  did  not  weaken  his 
attachment  to  this  town ;  for  in  his  will,  made  in  London  in 
1779,  he  bequeathed  generously  to  the  clergymen  of  Med- 
ford, to  the  church,  and  the  schools.  Many  valuable  tokens 
he  left  to  friends  in  Boston  and  to  the  town  of  Worcester. 

His  daughter  Elizabeth,  who  married  the  second  Sir  Wil- 
liam Pepperell,  died  on  her  passage  to  England,  in  1775. 
Her  husband  died  in  London,  in  1816,  aged  seventy. 

Although  Colonel  Royal's  property  in  Medford  was  con- 
fiscated in  1778,  it  was  kept  together,  and  well  guarded  by 
officers  appointed  by  the  Judge  of  Probate.  By  the  act  of 
1777,  the  General  Court  empowered  the  Judge  of  Probate  to 
nominate  agents  to  take  charge  of  the  estates  of  absentees, 
with  full  power  to  keep  and  improve  the  same.  Colonel 
Royal  was  an  exception  to  the  great  body  of  royalists ;  and, 
although  the  General  Court  dealt  with  his  property  as  with 
that  of  a  voluntary  absentee,  they  nevertheless  considered 
that  it  might  be  restored  on  his  return  to  Medford.  The 
laws  which  took  effect  on  Colonel  Royal  were  as  follows :  — 

January,  1778  :  "  Resolved,  To  prevent  any  person  from  returning 
into  this  State,  who  left  it  as  aforesaid,  unless  such  return  be  by  the 
leave  of  the  General  Court." 

"April  30,  1778:  On  petition  of  Simon  Tufts.  Resolved,  That 
Simon  Tufts,  Esq.,  of  Medford,  be,  and  he  hereby  is,  directed  to 
deliver  into  the  hands  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence,  Inspec- 
tion, &c,  of  the  town  of  said  Medford,  all  the  estate  of  Isaac 
Royal,  Esq.,  that  he,  the  said  Tufts,  has  in  his  hands,  which  he,  the 
said  Royal,  left  in  the  said  town  of  Medford.  And  the  said  Com- 
mittee of  Medford  are  hereby  directed  to  receive  the  same,  and  im- 
prove it  in  the  best  and  most  prudent  manner  they  can  agreeable  to 
the  resolves  of  this  Court  respecting  absentees'  estates. 

"  And  it  is  also  resolved,  That  the  several  Committees  of  Corre- 
spondence, Inspection,  &c,  of  such  towns  and  plantations  within 
this  State,  are  directed  to  take  possession  of  any  estate  in  each  town 
or  plantation  respectively  that  belonged  to  the  said  Isaac  Royal 
when  he  left  this  State.  And  all  such  persons  holding  possession  of 
any  such  estate  are  hereby  directed  to  deliver  possession  thereof  to 
such  Committees  respectively.     And  said  Committee  are  further 


180  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOKD. 

directed  to  observe  the  same  rules  relative  thereto  as  they  are 
ordered  to  do  in  managing  the  estates  of  other  absentees." 

October,  1778  :  The  General  Court  order  agents  of  estates 
of  absentees  to  lay  before  them  an  account  of  all  the  property 
of  such  persons ;  and,  furthermore,  resolve  that  none  of  the 
real  estate  shall  be  sold  to  pay  their  debts. 

Feb.  1,  1779 :  The  General  Court  resolved  that  all  moneys 
received  from  rent  or  sale  of  the  land  of  absentees  be  put 
into  the  treasury  of  the  State. 

May  1,  1779 :  The  Court  resolved  to  direct  all  agents  to 
warn  out  the  present  possessors,  and  give  possession  to  the 
new  lessees  of  the  State. 

May,  1779  :  The  General  Court  appointed  a  Committee  to 
sell  at  auction  the  confiscated  estates  of  certain  absentees. 
Sir  "William  Pepperell,  the  son-in-law  of  Colonel  Royal,  is 
named  in  the  list ;  but  Colonel  Royal  is  not. 

October,  1782  :  The  General  Court  resolved  that  the  estates 
of  absentees  ought  to  be  held  to  pay  the  just  debts  of  said 
persons  ;  and  therefore  they  order  that  the  moneys  received 
from  the  sale  of  such  estates  shall  go  to  pay  the  creditors, 
deducting  three  per  cent  to  the  State  for  expenses. 

The  mode  of  restoring  the  estate  of  Colonel  Royal  to  his 
heirs,  and  their  disposition  of  it,  may  be  learned  from  the 
following  documents. 

Extract  from  the  deed  given  by  Henry  Hutton  and  Eliza- 
beth Royal  Hutton,  of  England,  to  Mr.  Robert  Fletcher,  of 
London,  dated  London,  Feb.  25,  1806.  It  refers  to  the 
powers  granted  by  the  Legislature  :  — 

"  And  whereas,  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts, 
passed  on  or  about  the  31st  January,  1805,  it  was  enacted  fir 
resolved  that  the  Hon.  James  Sullivan,  Attorney-General  of  said 
Commonwealth,  and  the  Hon.  Christopher  Gore,  or  the  survivors 
of  them,  should  be,  and  they  were,  thereby  authorized  to  make  and 
execute  a  deed  of  conveyance  of  the  said  lands,  messuages,  and 
tenements,  formerly  belonging  to  the  said  Isaac  Koyal,  to  the  said 
Robert  Fletcher,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  in  fee  simple,  in  manner  and 
form,  as  was  provided  by  the  act  passed  on  the  8th  of  March,  1792, 
entitled  'An  act  for  providing  a  more  easy  and  simple  method  than 
was  then  in  use  for  barring  estates  in  tail  in  lands,  and  for  making 
the  same  liable  for  the  payment  of  the  debts  of  tenants  in  tail ; ' 
and  that  such  deed,  executed  and  acknowledged  by  the  said  James 
Sullivan  and  Christopher  Gore,  Esqrs.,  or  the  survivors  of  them,  and 
recorded  in  the  Registry  of  Deeds,  in  the  Counties  of  Middlesex 
and  Norfolk  respectively,  should  be  as  good  and  sufficient  in  law., 


MILITARY    HISTORY.  181 

and  should  have  the  same  force  and  effect,  as  though  the  same  were 
made,  executed,  and  acknowledged  by  Charles  Henry  Hutton,  the 
eldest  son  of  the  said  Henry  Hutton  and  Elizabeth  Royal,  his  wife, 
when  of  full  age  and  in  possession  of  the  said  premises. 

"And  that,  for  and  notwithstanding  any  act,  matter,  or  thing  done 
by  them,  or  either  of  them,  they  have  good  right  and  lawful  authori- 
ty to  sell  and  convey  the  said  houses,  lands,  tenements,  pew,  and 
hereditaments,  with  their  appurtenances,  unto  and  to  the  use  of  the 
said  Robert  Fletcher,  his  heirs  and  assigns." 

The  deed  was  for  "five  hundred  acres  of  land,  on  the 
west  side  of  Mystic  River,  with  the  mansion-house ; "  for  all 
which.  Mr.  Fletcher  agreed  to  pay  .£16,000. 

These  legislative  acts  and  public  documents  show  that 
Colonel  Royal's  property  in  Medford  was  dealt  with  at  last 
after  the  manner  of  other  absentees ;  that  it  came  into  legal 
possession  of  the  State,  and  was  put  under  the  care  of  the 
Medford  "  Committee  of  Inspection,"  and  all  the  rents  and 
incomes  paid  into  the  treasury  of  the  State.  For  twenty- 
seven  years  it  continued  in  this  situation,  when  a  petition  or 
claim  of  the  heirs  of  Colonel  Royal  was  preferred.  The 
records  of  these  details  we  have  not  been  able  to  find ;  but 
the  final  results  are  seen  in  the  legislative  grants  of  1805. 

We  take  leave  of  our  townsman  with  the  remark,  that  he 
was  so  generous  a  benefactor,  so  true  a  friend,  so  useful  a 
citizen,  and  so  good  a  Christian,  that  we  forget  he  was  a  Tory, 
—  if  he  was  one.  Happy  would  it  be  for  the  world,  if  at 
death  every  man  could  strike,  as  well  as  he  did,  the  balance 
of  this  world's  accounts. 


CHAPTER    V. 


MILITARY  HISTORY. 

1630 :  The  first  tax  levied  on  the  inhabitants  of  Medford 
was  the  sum  of  £3,  for  the  paying  of  two  instructors  in 
military  tactics.  The  hostile  Indians,  and  the  more  hostile 
wild  animals,  soon  placed  guns,  swords,  powder,  and  ball 
among  the  necessaries  of  life.  To  be  "  a  good  marksman  " 
became  one  of  the  first  accomplishments. 


182  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

The  legal  equipment  of  a  soldier  was  as  follows :  — 

"A  musket  (firelock  or  matchlock),  a  pair  of  bandoleers,  a  pow- 
der-pouch, with  bullets,  a  sword,  a  belt,  a  worm,  a  scourer,  a  rest, 
and  a  knapsack.  His  pay  18s.  a  month,  and  diet,  and  pillage;  and 
his  town  to  provide  him  with  a  month's  provisions;  viz.,  thirty 
pounds  of  biscuits,  twelve  of  pork,  twenty  of  beef,  one  half-bushel 
of  pease  or  meal.  The  leader  to  receive  40s.  per  month.  The 
towns  to  bear  their  share  of  the  loss  of  arms.  A  list  of  the  men 
and  their  arms  to  be  handed  in  to  the  Court." 

The  men  of  Medford,  Cambridge,  and  Charlestown  formed 
one  company.  We  can  see  exactly  how  one  of  our  Medford 
soldiers  looked  in  his  military  array  in  1635.  The  bandoleer 
was  a  large  leathern  belt  for  supporting  the  gun.  It  passed 
over  the  right  shoulder,  and  under  the  left  arm.  The  two 
kinds  of  guns  used  by  our  fathers  were  called  "  firelock  "  and 
"  matchlock."  The  first  kind  had  a  flint,  which  struck  fire 
into  the  pan ;  the  second  was  without  a  flint,  and  therefore 
required  a  match  to  be  applied  to  the  powder. 

It  will  give  us  some  idea  of  the  habits  and  customs  of  the 
people  in  Medford  when  we  read  the  following  law,  passed 
July  26,  1631:  — 

"  Ordered  that,  every  first  Friday  in  every  month,  there  shall  be 
a  general  training  of  them  that  inhabit  Charlestown,  Mistick,  and 
the  Newtown,  at  a  convenient  place  about  the  Indian  wigwams ; 
the  training  to  begin  at  one  of  the  clock  in  the  afternoon." 

"March  22,  1631:  General  Court.  Ordered  that  every  town 
within  this  jurisdiction  shall,  before  the  5th  of  April  next,  take 
especial  care  that  every  person  within  their  town  (except  magis- 
trates and  ministers),  as  well  servants  as  others,  be  furnished  with 
good  and  sufficient  arms." 

Aug.  7,  1632:  It  is  ordered  that  the  captains  shall  be  main- 
tained (on  parade-days)  by  their  several  companies." 

"March  4,  1635 :  It  is  ordered  that,  from  this  day  forward,  the 
captains  shall  receive  maintenance  out  of  the  treasury,  and  not 
from  their  companies." 

"Nov.  20,  1637:  It  was  ordered  that  training  should  be  kept 
eight  times  in  a  year,  at  the  discretion  of  the  chief  officers.  Ma- 
gistrates and  teaching  elders  are  allowed  each  of  them  a  man  free 
from  trainings ;  and  the  deacons  of  the  several  churches  are  freed 
in  like  manner." 

The  first  rule  was  this :  "  Their  meetings  shall  begin  with 
prayer." 


MILITARY    HISTORY.  183 

At  this  early  period,  none  were  allowed  to  vote  for  military 
officers  except  freemen,  and  they  "  who  have  taken  the  oath 
of  residents."  Freemen  had  a  right  to  vote  in  these  elec- 
tions, although  they  were  not  enrolled  as  members  of  the 
trainband.  Officers  must  be  freemen,  since  none  others 
were  eligible  to  offices  in  the  State. 

The  captain  was  required  to  take  oath.  The  fines  gathered 
were  to  be  expended  in  buying  drum-heads  for  the  company, 
and  arms  for  poor  men.  Ship-carpenters,  fishermen,  and 
millers  were  excused  from  training.  Millers  were  excused, 
because,  in  tending  tide-mills,  they  were  often  obliged  to  be 
at  work  through  the  night. 

Certain  persons  were  appointed  in  Medford  as  watchers  of 
the  Indians  and  wild  beasts.     March  9,  1637  :  — 

"  All  watchers  shall  come  to  the  public  assemblies  with  their 
muskets  fit  for  service." 

Same  date :  — 

"  No  person  shall  travel  above  one  mile  from  his  dwelling-house 
without  some  arms,  upon  pain  of  12d.  for  every  default." 

In  1637,  two  hundred  men,  as  warriors,  were  to  be  raised 
in  Massachusetts.  The  following  towns  furnished  numbers 
in  proportion  to  their  population :  Boston,  26 ;  Salem,  18 ; 
Saugus,  16 ;  Ipswich,  17 ;  Newbury,  8 ;  Roxbury,  10 ; 
Hingham,  6  ;  Meadford,  3. 

May  14:  "  Ordered  that  there  shall  be  a  watch  of  two  a  night 
kept  in  every  plantation  till  the  next  General  Court." 

June  2, 1641 :  "  Ordered  that  all  the  out- towns  shall  each  of  them 
have  a  barrel  of  gunpowder." 

Sept.  15,  1641:  On  this  day  began  a  "muster,"  which 
lasted  two  days :  twelve  hundred  soldiers.  And  though 
there  was  "  plenty  of  wine  and  strong  beer,"  yet  "  no  man 
drunk,  no  oath  sworn,  no  quarrel,  no  hurt  done."  Can  so 
much  be  said  now  1 

Sept.  7,  1643  :  The  General  Court  thus  say  :  — 

"  It  is  agreed  that  the  military  commanders  shall  take  order  that 
the  companies  be  trained,  and  some  man,  to  be  appointed  by  them, 
in  each  town,  to  exercise  them." 

"Arms  must  be  kept  in  every  family."  These  warlike 
preparations  would  lead  us  to  infer  that  our  Medford  ances- 


184  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

tors  belonged  not  only  to  the  church  militant,  but  also  to  the 
state  militant.  To  show  the  extremest  care  of  our  first  set- 
tlers on  this  very  point,  we  need  quote  only  the  following 
order : — 

"May  14,  1645:  Ordered  that  all  children  within  this  jurisdic- 
tion, from  ten  to  sixteen  years  of  age,  shall  be  instructed  by  some 
one  of  the  officers  of  the  band,  or  some  other  experienced  soldier 
whom  the  chief  officer  shall  appoint  upon  the  usual  training-days, 
in  the  exercise  of  arms,  as  small  guns,  half-pikes,  bows  and  arrows, 
according  to  the  discretion  of  said  officer." 

1 647 :  "  Persons  unable  to  provide  arms  and  equipments  for 
militia  duty,  on  account  of  poverty,  if  he  be  single,  and  under 
thirty  years  of  age,  shall  be  put  to  service,  and  earn  them.  Mus- 
queteers,  among  their  articles  of  equipment,  are  to  have  two 
fathoms  of  match. 

"  Whoever  refuses  to  do  duty,  when  commanded,  shall  be  fined 
five  shillings." 

May  2,  1649:  The  General  Court  issue  the  following:  — 

"It  is  ordered  that  the  Selectmen  of  every  town  within  this 
jurisdiction  shall,  before  the  24th  of  June,  which  shall  be  in  the 
year  1650,  provide  for  every  fifty  soldiers  in  each  town  a  barrel  of 
good  powder,  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  of  musket  bullets,  and 
one-quarter  of  a  hundred  of  match." 

May  26,  1658  :  The  General  Court  say  :  — 

"  In  answer  to  the  request  of  the  inhabitants  of  Meadfor-d,  the 
Court  judgeth  it  meet  to  grant  their  desire  ;  i.  e.,  liberty  to  list  them- 
selves in  the  trainband  of  Cambridge,  and  be  no  longer  compelled 
to  travel  unto  Charlestown." 

As  several  of  Mr.  Cradock's  men  were  fined  at  different 
times  for  absence  from  training,  we  infer  that  the  military 
exercises  required  by  law  were  very  strictly  observed  in 
Medford ;  and  how  it  could  have  been  otherwise,  after  so 
many  special  laws  and  regulations,  we  do  not  see.  It  seemed 
a  first  necessity  of  their  forest-life  to  protect  themselves  from 
the  wily  Indian  and  the  hungry  bear.  These  military  pre- 
parations were  not  suspended  for  a  century.  As  late  as  Aug. 
4,  1718,  the  inhabitants  of  Medford  voted  £10  to  buy  powder 
for  their  defence  against  the  Indians. 

"  Every  person  enlisting  in  the  troop  is  required  to  have  a  good 
horse,  and   be  well   fitted  with   saddle,   &c. ;    and,   having   listed 


MILITARY    HISTORY.  185 

his  horse,  he  shall  not  put  him  off  without  the  consent  of  his 
captain." 

The  powder  and  balls  belonging  to  the  town  were  not  de- 
posited always  in  the  same  place ;  and,  March  3,  1746, 
"  Voted  that  Captain  Samuel  Brooks  shall  have  the  keeping 
of  the  town's  stock  of  ammunition." 

1668 :  This  year  the  Court  took  a  step  which  was  not 
popular.  They  resolved  to  exercise  the  power  which  they 
thought  they  possessed ;  viz.,  of  nominating  all  the  military 
officers.  The  taking  away  of  "  so  considerable  a  part  of  their 
so  long-enjoyed  liberty  "  met  with  decided  opposition ;  and, 
when  our  Medford  company  was  organized,  the  town  did  not 
allow  the  Court  to  nominate  the  officers. 

Up  to  this  time,  we  hear  little  of  "  musters ;  "  and  we  pre- 
sume that  large  assemblies  of  soldiers  at  one  place  were  not 
common.  The  military  organization  must  necessarily  have 
been  very  simple  and  limited  at  first ;  and  the  idea  of  "  divi- 
sions," u  battalions,"  "  regiments,"  as  with  us,  must  have  been 
of  a  much  later  period. 

One  fact,  however,  is  clear ;  and  that  is,  that  these  habitual 
preparations  for  defence  and  war  gradually  educated  the  colo- 
nists to  that  personal  courage  and  military  skill  which 
rendered  them  so  powerful  in  their  war  with  Philip,  and  thus 
prepared  them  for  achieving  the  victories  of  the  Revolution. 
In  1675,  they  beat  King  Philip ;  in  1775,  they  beat  King 
George ;  and,  in  1875,  they  may  beat  all  the  kings  of  the 
earth. 

This  deep  interest  in  military  affairs  made  our  forefathers 
wakefully  anxious  on  the  subject  of  the  election  of  officers  in 
the  trainbands.  It  was  an  event  in  which  every  person  in 
town,  male  and  female,  felt  that  his  or  her  safety  might  be 
deeply  concerned.  The  law  carefully  guarded  the  rights  of 
the  people  in  this  act ;  and,  therefore,  did  not  leave  so  im- 
portant a  trust  to  be  conferred  by  the  members  of  the  com- 
pany alone,  but  made  it  the  duty  of  the  whole  town  to  choose 
the  three  commanding  officers.  On  the  first  occasion,  when 
this  power  was  to  be  exercised  by  the  whole  town,  the  Select- 
men issued  a  warrant  for  a  meeting  of  all  the  inhabitants  who 
bad  a  right  to  vote.  The  warrant  was  dated  May  18,  1781, 
and  was  issued  "  in  the  name  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massa- 
chusetts, for  the  purpose  of  choosing  militia  officers,  as  set 
forth  in  the  Militia  Act."  This  was  the  sole  business  of  the 
meeting.  The  result  was  as  follows  :  — 
24 


186  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Caleb  Brooks      ......     chosen     ....     Captain. 

Stephen  Hall,  4th 1st  Lieutenant. 

Daniel  Tufts 2d  Lieutenant. 

Here  appears  the  great  democratic  principle  of  popular 
election  of  military  leaders,  wherein  the  majority  of  voters 
decide  the  whole  case. 

It  was  customary  for  the  newly  elected  officer,  not  only  to 
"  treat  the  company,"  but  to  treat  everybody  else  who  repaired 
to  his  house  at  the  appointed  time.  These  were  deemed  the 
occasions  in  which  freedom  was  liberally  interpreted.  Meat 
and  bread  were  provided  for  food ;  but  punch  and  flip  were 
furnished  in  such  overflowing  abundance,  that  some  visitors 
took  many  more  steps  in  going  home  than  in  coming.  It  was 
expected,  moreover,  that  the  captain  would  treat  his  soldiers  on 
parade-days.  This  item,  added  to  other  necessary  expenses, 
made  quite  a  draft  on  the  chief  officer's  purse,  as  well  as  time. 
There  are  some  conventional  usages  whose  antiquity  can  be 
very  safely  assumed ;  and  this  of  "  treating  the  soldiers  "  is 
emphatically  one.  So  late  as  our  day  it  has  continued ;  and 
the  temperance  reformation  has  hardly  yet  arrested  it. 

Although  we  have  recorded  the  organization  of  a  military 
corps  in  1781,  whose  officers  were  chosen  by  the  town,  ac- 
cording to  the  laws  then  existing,  there  were  soldiers  in 
Medford  from  1630  to  that  time.  What  the  exact  rules  and 
regulations  respecting  enlistment  were  in  the  middle  of  the 
seventeenth  century,  we  cannot  discover.  There  were  com- 
position companies ;  and  the  associations  were  often  accidental, 
according  to  contiguity  of  place.  They  in  Medford,  who 
were  "  watchers,"  were  soldiers  ;  and  the  annual  provision  of 
town  powder  snows  that  the  ammunition  was  used.  There 
was  a  company  of  militia  in  Medford  before  the  Revolution ; 
and,  when  troublesome  times  came,  they  were  ready  for  duty. 
It  was  the  eighth  company  in  the  first  regiment  of  the  first 
brigade  of  the  third  division.  Seth  Bullard  was  Captain  ; 
William  Burbeck,  1st  Lieutenant ;  and  Ezekiel  Plympton,  2d 
Lieutenant.  It  belonged  to  Colonel  Thomas  Gardner's  regi- 
ment. In  1775,  it  was  commanded  by  Captain  Isaac  Hall. 
"This  company  came  out,"  says  the  Adjutant-General,  "on 
the  19th  of  April,  1775,  and  were  in  service  five  days,  and 
were  undoubtedly  in  the  battles  of  Lexington  and  Concord." 
The  names  of  the  men  composing  the  company  on  that 
memorable  occasion  are  all  recorded  on  the  muster-roll ;  and 
they  were  all  Medford  men,  as  follows :  — 


MILITARY    HISTORY.  187 

Isaac  Hall,  Captain;  Caleb  Brooks,  Lieutenant;  Stephen  Hall, 
Ensign ;  Thomas  Priuhard,  Isaac  Tufts,  and  Moses  Hall,  Ser- 
geants ;  John  Tufts,  Gersham  Teel,  and  Jonathan  Greenleaf,  Corpo- 
rals ;  Timothy  Hall,  Drummer;  William  Farning,  Fifer.  Privates 
as  follows:  David  Vinton,  John  Bucknam,  Isaac  Watson,  Jonathan 
Lawrence,  Jonathan  Davis,  Abel  Richardson,  James  Tufts,  jun., 
Samuel  Tufts,  3d,  Andrew  Floyd,  Benjamin  Floyd,  Andrew  Blan- 
chard,  Samuel  Tufts,  John  Francis,  jun.,  Paul  Dexter,  John  Smith, 
Abel  Butterfield,  Josiah  Cutter,  John  Kemp,  Eleazer  Putnam, 
James  Bucknam,  jun.,  Aaron  Crowell,  Jonathan  Tufts,  Benjamin 
Peirce,  Thomas  Wakefield,  Jonathan  Teel,  Aaron  Blanchard,  Rich- 
ard Cole,  William  Binford,  Thomas  Bradshaw,  Daniel  Tufts,  Peter 
Tufts,  jun.,  Ebenezer  Tufts,  Isaac  Cooch,  Daniel  Conery,  Richard 
Paine,  William  Polly,  Peter  Conery,  David  Hadley,  Jacob  Bedin, 
Joseph  Clefton,  Samuel  Hadley,  jun.,  Moses  Hadley,  John  Calen- 
der, John  Clarke,  Andrew  Bradshaw,  Thomas  Savels,  Francis  Hall, 
and  Benjamin  Savils. 

Here  are  fifty-nine  Medford  men  in  actual  service  ;  and  the 
State  paid  them  for  their  services  £28.  16s.  5c?. 

Each  man  received  pay  for  five  days'  service,  except 
William  Polly,  who  was  killed  in  battle. 

Captain  Isaac  Hall  made  a  report  of  his  company  to  the 
heads  of  the  department,  Oct.  6,  1775,  then  stationed  on 
Prospect  Hill.  He  resigned,  before  the  end  of  the  year,  for 
the  purpose  of  taking  command  of  another  company ;  and 
Lieutenant  Caleb  Brooks  was  chosen  captain  in  his  stead,  and, 
as  such,  made  a  report,  January  3,  1776. 

The  corps  which  Captain  Isaac  Hall  commanded  "was 
made  up  of  men  from  Medford,  Charlestown,  Woburn,  Mai- 
den, Cambridge,  and  Stoneham,  and  were  called  the  eight 
monfAs'  men."  They  enlisted  for  that  time  ;  and,  in  addition  to 
their  pay,  each  one  was  to  have  a  coat  at  the  expiration  of  his 
enlistment.  Eight  of  this  company  belonged  to  Medford ; 
and  they  were  the  following :  Isaac  Hall,  Captain ;  Caleb 
Brooks,  Lieutenant.  The  privates  were  :  Benjamin  Floyd, 
James  Wyman,  Jonah  Cutler,  John  Smith,  William  Buck- 
nam, and  Joseph  Bond.  The  last  named  was  discharged 
June  7,  1775  ;  the  rest  served  out  the  eight  months,  and  were 
on  the  "coat  roll,"  so  called,  —  which  fact  secured  a  pension 
from  the  United  States.  Some  took  money  instead  of  a  coat. 
Some  time  afterwards,  Captain  Hall  testified  that  Samuel  In- 
galls,  one  of  his  company,  "  has  bin  imprizoned  in  Cannedy, 
and  hain't  receeved  no  coat."  This  company  was  ordered  by 
General  Washington,  in  March,  1776,  to  be  "  marched  from 


188  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Medford  to  the  Heights  in  Dorchester."      They  were  in 
service  there  only  four  days. 

The  Medford  militia,  whose  trainings  we  of  latter  days 
have  witnessed,  is  mentioned  for  the  first  time  in  the  "  First 
E-oster,"  in  1787 ;  but,  in  the  earlier  and  more  confused 
records,  there  is  recognition  of  a  Medford  company  in  1781. 
The  names  of  the  officers  are  erased !  A  vacuum  then  occurs. 
After  this,  the  commanders  of  the  company  were  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

Moses  Hall chosen  Captain     .     .  Jan.  12,  1787. 

Samuel  Teel March  29,  1788. 

Abijah  Usher May  26,  1795. 

Gardner  Greenleaf Oct.  23,  1798. 

Samuel  Newell April  17,  1801. 

Nathan  Adams April  26,  1802. 

Samuel  Thompson April  3,  1804. 

Until  this  time,  this  company  had  belonged  to  the  first 
regiment  of  the  first  brigade  of  the  third  division ;  but  now 
a  new  regiment,  the  fifth,  was  formed,  and  Medford,  Charles- 
town,  and  Maiden  composed  it.  The  next  captain  of  the 
Medford  company  was  Hufus  Frost,  chosen  May  12,  1806. 
He  resigned,  and  was  discharged  March  10,  1810.  He  Mas 
re-elected  April  3,  1810,  but  he  "refused  to  qualify."  The 
next  captains  were  :  — 

Henry  Reed chosen     ....  July  2,  1810. 

Daniel  Copeland Feb.  27,  1812. 

Henry  Todd April  2,  1816. 

Galen  James March  16,  1818. 

Moses  Merrill April  14,  1820. 

John  T.  White May  4,  1824. 

John  Sparrell Aug.  6,  1827. 

L.  O.  Chase May  3,  1836. 

It  was  disbanded  under  a  general  order,  April  24,  1840. 

Whatever  confusion  may  seem  to  belong  to  one  or  two  of 
these  records,  could  doubtless  be  rendered  clear  if  it  had  been 
the  custom  to  make  prompt  and  accurate  returns,  and  also  to 
keep  the  rolls  as  ^methodically  as  they  are  at  present.  "Mi- 
nute-men "  were  frequently  organized,  and  no  official  registry 
made  of  them.  Members  of  one  company  would  join  another 
for  a  single  campaign  of  actual  service,  and,  at  their  return, 
take  their  former  places  in  the  rank  and  file. 

In  1828,  when  the  Medford  Light  Infantry  had  resigned 


MILITARY    HISTORY.  189 

its  charter,  Captain  John  Sparrell  was  ordered  to  enroll  its 
members  in  his  company.  He  did  so ;  and,  in  that  autumn, 
he  appeared  at  a  muster  in  Maiden  with  one  hundred  and 
ninety-six  men,  rank  and  file. 

Let  us  now  return  to  our  history  near  the  close  of  the 
eighteenth  century. 

In  1797,  a  "  general  muster  "  took  place  in  Concord,  Mid- 
dlesex County ;  and  it  engaged  the  attention  of  the  whole 
community.  The  war  of  the  Revolution  had  made  the 
management  of -regiments  and  divisions  an  easy  thing ;  and 
the  soldier-feeling  of  '75  and  '83  had  not  much  abated.  A 
gathering  of  several  regiments,  therefore,  was  a  most  joyous 
event  in  this  community.  Medford  made  it  a  town  matter, 
and  voted  to  pay  each  soldier  two  dollars,  and  to  give  each 
a  half-pound  of  powder.  These  musters  became  the  occa- 
sions of  great  dissipation.  They  seemed  to  be  a  mustering 
of  all  the  evils  of  a  community.  "  Egg-pop  "  was  the  favor- 
ite drink";  and  "wrestling,"  the  "ring,"  "pawpaw,"  "  hust- 
ling," and  "wheel  of  fortune,"  the  prevalent  amusements. 
Intemperance,  gambling,  fisticuffs,  ribaldry,  theft,  and  noise 
were  in  the  ascendant ;  and  the  injury  to  youthful  spectators 
was  inconceivably  great. 


MEDFORD    LIGHT    INFANTRY. 

The  members  of  this  company  petitioned  the  Governor 
and  Council  to  be  organized,  as  an  independent  corps,  under 
the  law  of  Nov.  29,  1785.  As  that  law  was  very  peculiar, 
and  gave  rights  seemingly  at  variance  to  general  military 
usage,  it  may  be  worth  while  to  extract  the  two  sections 
which  contain  the  extraordinary  provisions.  They  are  as 
follows :  — 

"  Be  it  therefore  enacted,  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That  when 
any  Major-General,  commander  of  a  division  of  militia  in  this  Com- 
monwealth, shall  certify  to  the  Governor,  that,  in  his  opinion,  it  will 
be  expedient,  and  for  the  good  of  the  Commonwealth,  that  one  or 
more  companies  of  cadets,  or  other  corps,  should  be  raised,  in  his 
division,  the  Governor,  with  advice  and  consent  of  the  Council,  be, 
and  he  is  hereby,  authorized  and  empowered  (if  he  judge  expe- 
dient) to  raise  such  cadet  company,  companies,  or  corps  ;  and,  when 
any  such  company  or  corps  shall  be  raised,  they  shall  elect  their  offi- 
cers in  the  same  manner,  and  in  the  same  proportion,  as  is  provided 
for  the  election  of  officers  of  other  companies  and  corps  of  militia  in 


190  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

this  Coramonweath ;  and  the  officers  so  elected  shall  be  commis- 
sioned by  the  Governor.  Provided,  always,  that  no  such  cadet 
company  or  corps  shall  be  raised  in  any  of  said  divisions,  when,  by 
means  thereof,  any  of  the  standing  companies  within  the  same  would 
be  reduced  to  a  less  number  than  sixty  privates. 

"  And  be  it  farther  enacted,  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That  the 
said  companies  or  corps,  when  raised  and  organized,  shall  be  under 
the  command  of  the  Major-General  of  the  division  in  which  they 
shall  be  respectively  formed,  and  shall  be  subject  to  the  rules  and 
regulations  that  are  already,  or  may  hereafter  be,  provided  by  the 
Legislature,  or  the  Commander-in-chief  of  the  militia  of  this  Com- 
monwealth, for  the  general  government  of  the  militia." 

It  will  be  observed  that  these  companies  might  be  raised 
by  the  recommendation  of  the  Major-General,  and  the  officers 
and  members  composing  them  may  be  scattered  in  the  differ- 
ent towns  within  the  division.  Cases  occurred  where  the 
three  superior  officers  lived  in  separate  towns.  On  this 
account,  these  corps  were  called  divisionary  companies. 
Another  peculiarity  was,  that  they  were  subject  to  the  order 
of  the  Major-General  alone,  and  were  never  commanded  by 
a  Brigadier-General.  They  were  not  connected  with  any 
brigade,  but  took  the  place  of  a  brigade  ;  and  on  the  field,  at 
a  general  review,  they  took  the  right,  because  they  were 
commanded  only  by  the  Major-General.  This  right,  or 
assumption,  often  caused  trouble  on  great  muster-days  ;  and 
once,  when  the  Brigadier-General  ordered  the  Medford  Light 
Infantry  to  take  the  left,  the  Captain  marched  his  company 
off  the  field,  and  returned  to  Medford  without  being  reviewed. 
They  maintained  their  cause,  and  never  yielded  their  priority. 
The  Weston  Infantry  was  organized  under  the  same  law, 
but  always  gave  precedence  to  the  Medford  on  account  of 
its  greater  age. 

1789 :  When  General  Washington  made  his  visit  at  Cam- 
bridge, he  was  attracted  by  the  superior  appearance  of  the 
Medford  company  on  parade,  and  took  great  pains  to  ask 
General  Brooks  what  corps  it  was.  He  passed  a  high  com- 
pliment on  it. 

There  were  many  companies  organized  in  the  Common- 
wealth under  the  law;  some  artillery,  some  cavalry,  but 
generally  infantry.  On  general  review-days,  the  Major- 
General  and  his  staff  would  ride  and  stop  in  front  of  a  bri- 
gade, and  there  go  through  with  their  examinations  and 
reviews  :  when  they  came  to  the  Medford  Light  Infantry, 
they  would  all  stop,  and  go  through  the  same  examinations 


MILITARY    HISTORY.  191 

and  reviews  which  belonged  to  a  brigade.  This  was  any 
thing  but  agreeable  to  the  reviewing  officers  and  to  the  sol- 
diers of  the  regular  brigades.  Few  only  of  these  companies 
remain  in  commission.  The  Boston  and  Salem  Cadets  are 
yet  flourishing.  In  1840,  the  question  of  the  companies, 
organized  under  the  law  of  1785,  taking  the  right  of  brigades, 
came  up  again,  and  was  decided  against  the  divisionary  corps  ; 
and  they  are  now  "  subject  to  the  rules  and  regulations  that 
are  already  provided  for  the  general  government  of  the 
militia." 

Major-General  Brooks  certified  to  the  Governor,  in  1786, 
that  he  thought  it  expedient,  that  a  divisionary  corps  should 
be  raised  in  his  division ;  and,  as  the  Medford  Light  Infantry 
had  united  in  petitioning  for  organization,  the  petition  was 
granted,  and  the  organization  took  place  Nov.  29,  1786. 
The  choice  of  officers  on  that  day  resulted  as  follows  :  — 

Ephraim  Hall Captain. 

Francis  Hall Captain's  Lieutenant. 

Samuel  Buel Lieutenant. 

t 

The  office  of  Ensign  was  not  deemed  indispensable ;  and 
none  was  chosen  till  May  3,  1791,  when  J.  Bucknam  was 
elected.  The  names  of  the  commanders  of  this  long-respected 
and  efficient  company  are  as  follows  :  — 

Ephraim  Hall  (promoted  to  an  aide-de-camp  in  1790)  1786  to  1790. 

Name  unknown 1790  1798. 

Andrew  Hall 1798  1803. 

Ebenezer  Hall,  jun 1803  1806. 

Nehemiah  Wyman,  of  Charlestown 1806  1808. 

Caleb  Blanchard 1808  1809. 

John  Cutter 1809  1811. 

Ephraim  Bailey 1811  1814. 

J.  P.  Clisby 1814  1815. 

Thomas  Shed 1815  1818. 

Gersham  Cutter 1818  1821. 

John  P.  Bigelow 1821  1823. 

Martin  Burrage 1823  1824. 

Edmund  Symnes 1824  1827. 

On  the  11th  of  January,  1828,  it  resigned  its  commission, 
and  has  never  been  revived.  For  the  first  twenty-five  years 
of  its  existence,  this  company  stood  among  the  first  for  cele- 
rity and  grace  of  drill-exercise  and  martial  manoeuvre.  It 
felt  that  it  had  a  sort  of  brigade  character  to  sustain ;  and  the 


192  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

ambitious  young  men  of  Medford  joined  heartily  to  make  it 
the  banner  corps  of  the  county. 

In  the  war  of  1812,  this  company  was  called  to  guard  the 
powder-house,  and  did  duty  there  for  some  weeks. 

The  zeal  for  military  display  declined  after  1814,  and 
there  was  only  an  annual  training  for  keeping  up  the  show 
of  warlike  preparation. 

March  7,  1831 :  One  hundred  knapsacks  were  ordered  by 
the  town  for  the  use  of  the  militia. 

BROOKS    PHALANX. 

Sept.  22,  1841 :  Fifty-two  citizens  of  Medford  petitioned 
the  Governor  for  a  charter  to  establish  a  company  of  volun- 
teer militia,  to  be  attached  to  the  fifth  regiment  of  infantry, 
in  the  first  brigade  and  third  division  of  Massachusetts  mili- 
tia. This  petition  was  granted  ;  and  the  company  adopted  the 
name  of  Brooks  Phalanx,  in  honor  of  his  late  Excellency 
Governor  Brooks. 

Oct.  11,  1841:  The  following  officers  were  chosen:  — 

Samuel  Blanchard Captain. 

IL  N.  Peck 1st  Lieutenant. 

Joseph  W.  Mitchell 2d  Lieutenant. 

James  B.  Gregg 3d  Lieutenant. 

A  Constitution  and  By-laws  having  been  adopted,  the  first 
parade  was  on  the  22d  of  August,  and  seldom  has  any  com- 
pany appeared  better. 

Aug.  21,  1843  :  The  ladies  of  Medford  presented  the  Pha- 
lanx with  a  beautiful  'standard.  The  ceremony  took  place 
before  the  meeting-house  of  the  first  parish,  and  was  worthy 
the  occasion. 

Captain  Blanchard  having  been  promoted  to  the  office  of 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  he  resigned  his  office  as  commander 
of  the  Phalanx ;  and,  Nov.  13,  1844,  James  W.  Brooks  was 
chosen  as  his  successor.  In  1846,  Captain  Brooks  was 
honorably  discharged ;  and,  April  10,  Charles  Caldwell 
was  elected  Captain.  After  serving  acceptably,  he  resigned ; 
and,  May  9,  1849,  Gilman  Griffin  was  elected  in  his  place. 
The  last  meeting  held  by  the  company  was  Dec.  18,  1849, 
when  it  was  concluded  to  discontinue  the  organization,  resign 
the  charter,  and  return  the  standard  to  the  ladies  who  gave 
it.     The  standard  was  placed  in  the  Town  Hall. 


MILITARY    HISTORY.  193 


LAWRENCE    LIGHT    GUARD. 


career 


This  young  and  enthusiastic  corps  begins  its  military 
under  the  most  favorable  auspices ;  and  every  one 
wishes  it  prosperity.  It  is  composed  wholly  of  Medford 
men,  and  it  will  sustain  a  Medford  reputation.  It  was  orga- 
nized Oct.  1,  1854  ;  and  its  officers,  chosen  with  unanimity, 
are  as  follows  :  — 

Henry  W.  Usher Captain. 

Asa  Law " 1st  Lieutenant. 

Thomas  R.  Hadley 2d  Lieutenant. 

Samuel  Lawrence 3d  Lieutenant. 

B.  W.  Parker 4th  Lieutenant. 

The  number,  including  rank  and  file,  is  sixty.  Their  first 
parade  was  Oct.  12,  1854,  when  they  were  exercised  in  firing 
at  a  target.  They  are  Company  E,  Fifth  Regiment  Light 
Infantry. 

There  was  a  military  manoeuvre  designed  and  executed 
by  Captain  Thomas  Pritchard,  of  Medford,  while  in  com- 
mand at  New  York,  which  deserves  honorable  mention. 
The  English  had  taken  possession  of  the  city,  Sept.  15,  1776, 
but  were  greatly  annoyed  by  the  American  forces  in  its 
neighborhood.  Captain  Pritchard  was  personally  known  to 
some  of  the  British  officers,  and  he  was  remarkable  for  his 
celerity  and  skill  in  the  war  tactics.  One  day  he  had  been 
making  explorations  with  his  company,  when  he  came  unex- 
pectedly among  a  large  force  of  British  cavalry  in  a  road. 
The  English  commander  cried  out  to  him,  "  Well,  Pritchard, 
we've  got  you  at  last."  "Not  exactly,"  replied  Pritchard; 
and  he  immediately  ordered  his  men  to  form  across  the  road, 
and  to  prepare  for  a  charge.  The  cavalry  stopped.  The 
wind  was  favorable  to  carry  the  smoke  of  Pritchard's  fire 
directly  among  the  enemy.  The  English  commander  felt 
that  there  must  be  great  loss  to  him  if  he  should  open  a  fire, 
owing  to  the  narrow  defile  and  the  adverse  wind.  He  there- 
fore stood  still.  To  retreat,  and  also  to  gain  time,  was 
Pritchard's  policy  ;  and  he  accomplished  it  thus  :  He  walked 
behind  his  men,  and  touched  every  other  one  in  the  whole 
line,  and  then  ordered  those  that  he  had  touched  to  retreat 
backwards  twenty  steps.  They  did  so,  and  there  halted. 
This  position  kept  each  of  his  men  in  a  fit  order  to  fire 
or   to    charge,   as   might   be   necessary.     As    soon   as   this 

25 


194  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

half  had  halted,  he  ordered  the  remaining  half  to  retreat 
slowly  in  the  same  way  ;  to  pass  through  the  line,  and  retreat 
twenty  steps  behind  the  front  rank.  They  did  so  success- 
fully. The  cavalry  rushed  forward,  but  did  not  fire.  Prit- 
chard's  men  understood  the  movement,  and  were  not  terrified 
at  superior  numbers.  They  continued  to  retreat  in  this 
unassailable  and  American  fashion  for  nearly  an  hour,  when 
the  narrow  road  ended  in  a  broken,  rocky  pasture.  Now 
their  destruction  seemed  certain.  Captain  Pritchard  saw 
near  him  a  ledge  of  rocks  and  a  narrow  pass.  He  resolved 
to  get  there  if  he  could.  But  how  could  it  be  done  ?  The 
enemy  had  now  come  out,  and  nearly  surrounded  him.  He 
formed  his  men  into  a  hollow  square,  and  ordered  them  to 
retreat  sideways  towards  that  narrow  pass.  They  did  so, 
each  keeping  his  place,  and  presenting  his  bayonet  to  the  foe. 
They  reached  the  rock  ;  and  there  they  must  stop.  With  their 
backs  to  the  precipice,  and  their  face  to  the  enemy,  they  must 
now  surrender  or  die.  They  had  resolved  to  try  the  chances 
of  battle.  The  British  had  now  come  round  them  in  such 
overwhelming  numbers,  that  they  felt  desperate.  Just  as  the 
British  officer  had  ordered  them  to  surrender,  a  detachment 
of  American  troops  came  suddenly  upon  them.  The  cavalry 
saw  they  themselves  must  be  taken  ;  and  they  turned  and  fled. 
Major  Brooks  narrated  to  General  Washington  every  par- 
ticular of  this  victorious  strategem  ;  and  Washington  said, 
"  There  is  nothing  in  our  military  history  yet  that  surpasses 
the  ingenuity  and  fortitude  of  that  manoeuvre."  Captain 
Pritchard  was  very  young,  and  a  great  favorite  in  the  army ; 
and,  when  it  became  his  turn  to  watch  through  the  night, 
it  was  a  common  saying  among  the  officers,  "  We  can  sleep 
soundly  to-night ;  Pritchar'd's  out."  He  returned  to  Medi'ord 
after  the  war,  resumed  his  trade  of  cooper,  and  died,  June  8, 
1795,  aged  forty -three. 

Colonel  Ebenezer  Francis,  son  of  Ebenezer  Francis, 
was  born  in  Medford,  Dec.  22,  1743,  on  Thursday,  and  bap- 
tized on  Christmas  Day,  the  next  Sunday.  Living  in  Med- 
ford till  his  majority,  he  was  studious  to  gain  knowledge,  and 
succeeded  beyond  most  others.  He  moved  to  Beverly,  and, 
in  1766,  married  Miss  Judith  Wood,  by  whom  he  had  four 
daughters  and  one  son.  That  son  he  named  Ebenezer,  who 
now  resides  in  Boston,  is  nearly  eighty  years  of  age,  and  one 
of  our  most  distinguished  merchants. 


MILITARY    HISTORY.  '  195 

Colonel  Francis  had  three  brothers,  who  became  officers  in 
the  Revolutionary  army,  and  did  their  native  Medford  credit. 
Ebenezer  was  commissioned  as  Captain  by  the  Continental 
Congress,  July  1,  1775  ;  next  year  rose  to  the  rank  of 
Colonel,  and  commanded  a  regiment  on  Dorchester  Heights 
from  August  to  December,  1776.  Authorized  by  Congress, 
he  raised  the  eleventh  Massachusetts  regiment,  and,  in  Janu- 
ary, 1777,  marched  at  the  head  of  it  to  Ticonderoga.  Mon- 
day, July  7,  1777,  a  skirmish  took  place  between  the  eleventh 
Massachusetts  regiment  and  the  British,  at  Hubbardton,  near 
Whitehall,  N.Y.,  in  which  Colonel  Francis  fell.  A  private 
journal  of  Captain  Greenleaf,  now  in  the  library  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Historical  Society,  says  :  — 

"  Colonel  Francis  first  received  a  ball  through  his  right  arm ; 
but  still  continued  at  the  head  of  his  troops  till  he  received  the  fatal 
wound  through  his  body,  entering  his  right  breast.  He  dropped  on 
his  face." 

His  chaplain  says  :  — 

"  No  officer  so  noticed  for  his  military  accomplishments  and 
regular  life  as  he.  His  conduct  in  the  field  is  spoken  of  in  the 
highest  terms  of  applause." 

A  British  officer,  who  was  in  the  battle  of  Hubbardton, 
happened  to  be  quartered  as  a  prisoner  in  Medford.  He 
wrote  a  history  of  that  battle ;  and  we  make  the  following 
extracts,  which  relate  to  a  Medford  mother  then  living  in  her 
house  at  the  West  End.     The  officer  says :  — 

"  A  few  days  since,  walking  out  with  some  officers,  we  stopped  at 
a  house  to  purchase  vegetables.  While  the  other  officers  were  bar- 
gaining with  the  woman  of  the  house,  I  observed  an  elderly  woman 
sitting  by  the  fire,  who  was  continually  eying  us,  and  every  now 
and  then  shedding  a  tear.  Just  as  we  were  quitting  the  house,  she 
got  up,  and,  bursting  into  tears,  said,  '  Gentlemen,  will  you  let  a 
poor  distracted  woman  speak  a  word  to  you  before  you  go  ? '  We, 
as  you  must  naturally  imagine,  were  all  astonished ;  and,  upon 
inquiring  what  she  wanted,  with  the  most  poignant  grief,  and  sob- 
bing as  if  her  heart  was  on  the  point  of  breaking,  asked  if  any  of  us 
knew  her  son,  who  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Hubbardton,  a  Colonel 
Francis.  Several  of  us  informed  her  that  we  had  seen  him  after 
he  was  dead.  She  then  inquired  about  his  pocket-book,  and  if  any 
of  his  papers  were  safe,  as  some  related  to  his  estates,  and  if  any  of 
the  soldiers  had  got  his  watch ;  if  she  could  but  obtain  that,  in 
remembrance  of  her  dear,  dear  son,  she  should  be  happy.  Captain 
Fergurson,  of  our  regiment,  who  was  of  the  party,  told  her,  as  to  the 


196  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Colonel's  papers  and  pocket-book,  he  was  fearful  lest  they  were  lost 
or  destroyed ;  but,  pulling  a  watch  from  his  fob,  said,  '  There,  good 
woman ;  if  that  can  make  you  happy,  take  it,  and  God  bless  you.' 
"We  were  all  much  surprised,  and  unacquainted  that  he  had  made  a 
purchase  of  it  from  a  drum-boy.  On  seeing  her  son's  watch,  it 
is  impossible  to  describe  the  joy  and  grief  that  were  depicted  in  her 
countenance.  I  never,  in  all  my  life,  beheld  such  a  strength  of  pas- 
sion. She  kissed  it ;  looked  unutterable  gratitude  at  Captain  Fer- 
gurson  ;  then  kissed  it  again.  Her  feelings  were  inexpressible  ;  she 
knew  not  how  to  utter  or  show  them.  She  would  repay  his  kindness 
by  kindness,  but  could  only  sob  her  thanks.  Our  feelings  were 
lilted  to  an  inexpressible  height;  we  promised  to  send  after  the 
papers ;  and  I  believe,  at  that  moment,  could  have  hazarded  life 
itself  to  procure  them." 

This  watch,  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Colonel  Francis's 
son,  in  Boston. 

John  Francis,  a  brother  of  the  Colonel,  born  in  Medford 
Sept.  28,  1753,  was  Adjutant  in  the  regiment  commanded  by 
his  brother,  and  fought  bravely  at  Hubbardton.  He  was  in 
several  battles  during  the  six  years  of  his  service,  and,  at  the 
capture  of  Burgoyne,  was  wounded.  He  died,  July  30,  1822, 
in  the  sixty-ninth  year  of  his  age,  in  Beverly,  the  place  of 
his  residence.  He  was  esteemed  for  his  hospitality  and 
cheerfulness. 

Another  gallant  action  by  a  Medford  Sergeant,  in  the  heat 
of  the  battle  at  "White  Plain,  deserves  a  special  record. 
Francis  Tufts  saw  the  standard-bearer  fall :  he  flew  to  the 
spot,  seized  the  standard,  lilted  it  in  the  air,  and  rushed  to 
the  front  rank  of  the  line,  and  there  marched  forward,  calling 
upon  the  men  to  follow.  This  was  seen  by  General  Wash- 
ington. As  soon  as  victory  was  won,  the  General  asked 
Colonel  Brooks  the  name  of  the  young  man,  in  his  regiment, 
who  achieved  that  noble  act.  He  was  told ;  and  there,  on 
the  stump  of  a  tree,  the  General  immediately  wrote  his  com- 
mission of  Adjutant. 

Medford  furnished  its  full  quota  of  soldiers  for  the  war  of 
1812,  and  shed  its  blood  in  sustaining  the  national  cause. 
The  following  are  the  names  of  those  who  volunteered  enlist- 
ment:'John  Gates,  Zachariah  Shed,  Edmund  Gates,  Amos 
Hadley,  Thomas  Cutter,  Jacob  Waite,  Samuel  F.  Jordan, 
Jonathan  Tufts,  jun.,  Randolph  Richardson,  Rehoboam  Ri- 
chardson, Miles  Wilson,  Joseph  Peirce,  John  Lee,  John 
"Weatherspoon,  John  McClough,  Stephen  D.  Bugsby,  Robert 
Hall,  Benjamin  Symmes. 


MILITARY    HISTORY.  197 

The  first  on  the  list  still  lives  ;  the  others  are  dead.  Ed- 
mund Gates  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Chippewa  ;  and  Abiel 
R.  Shed  was  killed  in  the  sortie  of  Fort  Erie,  1813. 

One  of  the  most  signal  sacrifices  made  by  Medford  to 
the  cause  of  the  country,  in  that  war,  was  the  death  of  Lieu- 
tenant John  Brooks,  son  of  General  Brooks,  who  graduated 
at  Harvard  College  in  1805,  studied  medicine  with  his  father, 
and  afterwards  joined  the  army  as  an  officer  of  marines.  The 
personal  beauty  of  young  Brooks  was  a  matter  of  remark  in 
every  company  where  he  appeared.  His  courage  was  great ; 
and,  by  exposing  himself  in  the  hottest  struggle  of  the  fight, 
he  was  instantly  killed  by  a  cannon-ball,  which  struck  him 
near  the  hip,  and  mangled  him  shockingly.  This  occurred 
in  the  famed  battle  on  Lake  Erie,  Sept.  13,  1813,  when 
Commodore  Perry  gained  his  brilliant  victory  over  the  Eng- 
lish fleet. 

The  remains  of  Lieutenant  Brooks  were  buried  on  an 
island  in  Lake  Erie,  and  there  remained  until  November, 
1817,  when  they  were  removed  to  Fort  Shelby,  in  the  city 
of  Detroit,  Michigan.  The  "Detroit  Gazette,"  of  Nov.  7, 
1817,  has  the  following  notice  of  the  removal :  — 

"  Funeral  of  Lieutenant  John  Brooks.  —  On  Friday  last,  the 
remains  of  Lieutenant  John  Brooks,  who  fell  in  the  battle  on  Lake 
Erie,  were  interred  in  the  new  burial-ground,  upon  the  glacis  of 
Fort  Shelby,  within  the  Military  Reserve  of  this  city.  The  cere- 
mony was  attended  with  military  honors  suited  to  the  rank  of  the 
deceased. 

"  The  body  was  escorted  by  a  military  corps,  and  preceded  by 
the  Rev.  Messrs.  Monteith  and  Larned.  The  pall, was  supported 
by  six  Lieutenants,  with  scarfs.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Smith,  and  the 
officers  of  the  Fifth  United  States  Regiment,  followed  as  mourners, 
flanked  by  marshals.  Then  succeeded  Major-General  Macomb, 
Governor  Cass,  and  the  civil,  judicial,  and  municipal  officers  of  the 
territory  and  city,  citizens  and  strangers,  and  the  non-commissioned 
officers  and  soldiers  of  the  army.  The  funeral  service  was  per- 
formed by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Larned.  The  procession  was  solemn  and 
sublime." 

These  services  show  the  high  esteem  in  which  the  brave 
and  beautiful  young  officer  was  held  by  his  comrades  and 
commanders. 

The  following  elegiac  lines,  composed  for  the  occasion, 
were  written  by  Captain  Whiting,  of  the  Fifth  Regiment :  — 


198  •  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Too  long  on  lonely  isles  neglected, 

Marked  by  no  stone,  thy  dust  has  slept, 
By  humble  turf  alone  protected, 

O'er  which  rude  time  each  year  has  swept. 

Ere  many  summers  there  had  revelled, 

Decking  thy  grave  with  wild-flowers  fair, 
The  humiil  earth,  depressed  and  levelled, 

Had  left  no  index  vestige  there. 

Still  had  the  wave  around  that  da«hes  — 

Scene  of  thy  fate  —  the  story  told, 
And,  'gainst  the  isle  that  held  thy  a^hes, 

In  seeming  fondness  ceaseless  rolled. 

But  now,  with  kindred  heroes  lying, 

Thou  shalt  repose  on  martial  ground,  — 
Thy  country's  banner  o'er  thee  flying, 

Her  castle  and  her  camps  around. 

And  friendship  there  shall  leave  its  token  ; 

And  beauty  there  in  tears  may  melt ; 
For  still  the  charm  may  rest  unbroken, 

So  many  tender  hearts  have  felt. 

Then  rest,  lamented  youth  ;  in  honor, 

Erie  shall  still  preserve  thy  name ; 
For  those  who  fell  'neath  Perry's  banner, 

Must  still  survive  in  Perry's  fame. 

Dec.  17,  1836,  Medford  was  called  to  part  with  another 
officer  high  in  command  in  the  army  of  the  United  States. 
Among  the  brave,  there  were  none  braver  than  Colonel  Alex- 
ander Scammel  Brooks,  eldest  son  of  General  John  Brooks. 
He  was  born  in  Medford,  1777,  on  the  day  of  Burgoyne's 
surrender  at  Saratoga.  He  entered  Harvard  College  in  1798, 
and  left  it  in  1801.  He  preferred  a  sailor's  life;  but, 
when  the  embargo  of  1808  was  laid,  he  obtained  a  commis- 
sion in  the  army,  and  held  it  till  that  restriction  o°n  commerce 
was  removed.  He  then  resumed  marine  life,  and  continued 
in  it  till  the  war  of  1812,  when  he  again  received  a  commis- 
sion as  Captain  in  the  United  States  army,  and  served  through 
the  war.  So  gallant  was  his  conduct  at  the  battle  of  Platts- 
burg,  that  he  received  a  brevet  ass  Major.  He  was  retained 
in  the  army  on  the  peace  establishment,  and  commanded 
posts  on  the  seaboard.  In  May,  1817,  he  married  Miss 
Sarah  Turner.  In  1820,  he  was  ordered  to  the  command  of 
Portland  Harbor,  where  he  remained  seven  years  ;  thence  to 
Bellona  Arsenal,  on  James  River,  Virginia,  where  he  re- 
mained four  years ;  thence  to  Fort  Independence,  in  Boston 
Harbor.     He  next   came   to   Medford,   and  resided   in    the 


MILITARY    HISTORY.  199 

house  of  his  late  father  till  ordered  to  the  command  of  the 
New  York  Harbor.  In  May,  1836,  he  was  ordered,  with 
his  command,  into  the  Cherokee  country,  to  move  the  In- 
dians. That  duty  performed,  he  went  to  Fort  Moultrie, 
Charleston  Harbor,  South  Carolina.  Here  he  soon  received 
orders  to  proceed  immediately  to  Florida,  and  take  command 
of  the  regiment  of  which  he  was  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and 
prosecute  the  war  against  the  Indians,  —  a  war  abhorrent 
both  to  his  principles  and  his  feelings.  He  had  a  singular 
and  unconquerable  dislike  of  travelling  by  steam-power ; 
but  here  was  a  necessity  ;  and,  almost  for  the  first  time  in  his 
life,  he  ventured  on  board  a  steamboat,  the  "  Dolphin,"  bound 
for  the  Black'  Creek.  The  following  account,  published  at 
the  time  in  the  "  Jacksonville  Courier,"  gives  the  sad  sequel 
with  touching  particularity  :  — 

"  The  United  States  steamer  '  Dolphin,'  from  Charleston  for  St. 
Augustine,  via  Savannah  and  St.  Mary's,  was  lost  off  the  bar  of  St. 
John's  River,  on  Saturday  afternoon,  Dec.  17,  1836,  at  half-past 
four  in  the  afternoon.  When  within  two  miles  of  St.  John's  Bar, 
and  she  had  taken  two  pilots  on  board,  as  the  boat  began  to  move, 
her  boilers  exploded,  and,  in  an  instant,  she  was  a  complete  wreck. 
The  bows  and  stern  were  separated,  and  the  engine,  &c,  sank  to 
the  bottom.  Mr.  Donnelson  was  blown  into  the  bows  of  the  boat, 
much  stunned.  After  the  steam  had  cleared  away,  as  soon  as  he 
could  stand,  he  noticed  Colonel  Brooks  just  beside  him,  who  laid 
lifeless,  except  one  slight  spasm  ;  after  which,  in  an  instant,  the  face 
turned  purple.  Mr.  Donnelson  thinks  he  was  killed  by  the  shock. 
Soon  after  this,  Mr.  Donnelson  gained  the  stern,  which  was  the 
largest  part.  Immediately  afterwards,  the  bows  sank,  but  soon  rose 
again  to  the  surface ;  but  Colonel  Brooks  was  seen  no  more.  Out 
of  thirty-four  persons,  nineteen  were  saved,  and  fifteen  were  lost. 
The  disaster  was  owing  to  the  highly  culpable  negligence  of  the  two 
engineers,  who  were  both  lost." 

December  30,  the  body  was  recovered.  His  watch,  filled 
with  sand,  was  taken  from  his  pocket,  and  sent  to  his  family. 
A  newspaper  of  St.  Augustine  gives  the  following  particu- 
lars :  — 

"  The  body  of  the  late  lamented  Colonel  Brooks  was  found  upon 
the  beach,  about  thirty  miles  from  this  city,  and  brought  here  for 
interment  on  Thursday  last.  On  Friday,  the  body  was  escorted  to 
the  grave  by  the  St.  Augustine  Veterans  and  a  company  of  volun- 
teers, and  followed  by  the  United  States  officers  at  this  post  as 
principal  mourners,  the  volunteer  officers  in  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  the  United  States  troops,  the  Judge  and  officers  of 


200  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

the  Superior  Court,  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen,  and  a  large  concourse 
of  citizens.  The  burial  service  was  read,  at  the  grave,  by  the  Rev. 
David  Brown,  of  the  Episcopal  Church." 

Two  years  afterwards,  his  remains  were  brought  to  Med- 
ford, and  deposited  in  the  family  tomb. 


CHAPTER   VI. 


ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY. 


The  history  of  their  church,  in  many  of  our  earliest  New 
England  towns,  was  almost  the  history  of  their  settlement. 
So  early  as  1634,  our  fathers  procured  a  preacher,  Mr.  James 
Noyes,  afterwards  minister  of  Newbury.  He  was  born  in 
England  in  1608,  educated  at  Oxford,  came  to  Boston  in 
1634,  and  "was  immediately  called  to  preach  at  Mistic, 
which  he  did  for  nearly  one  year.  He  was  much  beloved 
and  respected,  —  a  very  holy  and  heavenly-minded  man.  He 
was  a  man  of  singular  qualifications,  a  reaching  and  ready 
apprehension,  and  a  most  profound  judgment.  He  was 
courageous  in  dangers,  and  still  apt  to  believe  the  best,  and 
made  fair  weather  in  a  storm." 

After  he  left  Medford,  the  inhabitants  received  religious 
instructions  from  Rev.  Mr.  "Wilson  and  Rev.  Mr.  Phillips ; 
for,  in  the  tax  for  the  support  of  these  gentlemen,  Medford 
paid  its  share  assessed  by  the  General  Court.  These  preach- 
ers were  paid  by  six  towns,  and  doubtless  considered  Med- 
ford as  belonging  to  their  pastoral  watch  and  Christian 
fold. 

At  this  time,  our  fathers  were  troubled  with  the  sect  of 
the  Antinomians,  whose  spiritual  father  was  John  Agricola, 
of  Isleben.  They  were  against  the  moral  law,  not  only  as  a 
covenant  of  life,  but  as  a  rule  of  moral  conduct.  Mrs.  Anne 
Hutchinson  brought  the  controversy  from  England  here  in 
1634.  The  Colonists  went  for  the  law,  and  were  called 
Legalists.  The  heat  on  one  side  for  the  "  covenant  of  grace," 
and  on  the  other  for  the  "  covenant  of  works,"  caused  politi- 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  201 

cal  as  well  as  ecclesiastical  trouble.  Vane  headed  the  Anti- 
nomians,  and  Winthrop  the  Legalists.  The  synod  at  Newton, 
Aug.  30,  1637,  condemned  the  Antinomians ;  and  they  were 
banished. 

The  first  inhabitants  of  Medford  belonged  to  that  class  of 
hardy,  intelligent,  Christian  adventurers  called  Puritans, 
who  left  their  native  England  that  they  might  here  worship 
God  and  govern  themselves  according  to  the  dictates  of  their 
own  consciences,  and  here  spread  the  truths  of  Christianity 
among  the  heathen.  Nobler  blood  never  flowed  in  human 
veins ;  and  we  may  rejoice  that  we  are  descended  from  war- 
rior-saints, who  dared  to  lead  where  any  dared  to  follow, 
whose  souls  were  sanctified  by  Christian  faith,  whose  union 
illustrated  the  natural  rights  of  man,  and  whose  characters 
were  made  invincible  by  a  spiritual  heroism.  That  such  a 
people  would  faithfully  provide  for  the  worship  which  they 
had  sacrificed  their  native  homes  to  enjoy,  is  most  natural. 
That  our  forefathers  so  felt  and  so  acted,  is  undoubtedly 
true ;  as  it  is  also  true  that  their  scanty  means  and  divided 
condition  postponed  the  settlement  of  a  minister,  —  a  failure 
of  duty  which  drew  upon  them  prosecutions  and  fines.  We 
therefore  find  additional  cause  for  lamentation  over  the  loss 
of  our  early  records,  which  would  have  explained  the  facts 
of  their  condition,  and  also  proved  to  us  how  devotedly  they 
attended  public  worship  in  the  neighboring  towns  when  they 
were  not  able  to  support  a  minister  within  their  own  borders. 
So  soon  as  they  could  pay  a  clergyman,  —  yes;  long  before 
they  could  do  it  without  extreme  anxiety,  —  they  made  provi- 
sion for  their  spiritual  nurture  and  their  growth  in  grace. 

Johnson,  in  his  "  Wonder-working  Providence,"  says  :  — 

"  It  is  as  unnatural  for  a  right  New  England  man  to  live  without 
an  able  ministry,  as  for  a  smith  to  work  his  iron  without  fire." 

Their  wakefulness  and  zeal  are  proved,  in  the  surviving 
records,  by  their  unanimity  in  causing  each  person  to  contri- 
bute his  share ;  and  their  intelligence  and  justice  appear  in 
harmonizing  differences  which  unhappily  arose  between  them 
and  one  of  their  temporary  teachers. 

June  2,  1641 :  The  General  Court  say  :  — 

"  It  is  desired  that  the  elders  would  make  a  catechism  for  the 
instruction  of  youth  in  the  grounds  of  religion." 

This  catechism  found  its  way  into  every  family  of  our 

26 


202  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOHD. 

plantation.  Thus  the  ideas  of  a  true  theocracy  and  a  true 
democracy  were  here  early  imparted. 

The  "  plantation  "  agreed  to  hire  a  preacher,  who  should 
supply  them  for  six  months  or  a  year,  and  to  pay  him  by 
individual  subscriptions,  while  they  allowed  him  to  reside 
wherever  his  other  engagements  required.  Tutors  from 
Harvard  College  were  hired  for  this  purpose. 

Oct.  21,  1658,  our  fathers  kept  a  fast,  "  on  account  of 
God's  judgments ;  to  wit,  sickness  in  several  families,  unfa- 
vorable weather,  and  the  appearance  of  that  scourge,  the 
Quakers." 

1660 :  At  this  time,  the  controversy  about  infant  baptism 
afflicted  our  early  Christians  here ;  and  Mr.  Thomas  Gould's 
case,  in  Charlestown,  caused  great  stir  at  Medford. 

Mr.  John  Hancock,  grandfather  of  the  patriot  of  1775, 
who  preached  here  in  1692,  consented  to  remain  in  the  plan- 
tation ;  and  the  town  accordingly  voted  that  "  he  shall  be 
boarded  at  Mr.  John  Bradshaw's  for  the  year  ensuing,  if  he 
shall  continue  his  ministry  so  long  among  us."  The  usual 
price  of  board  was  five  shillings  per  week.  In  November, 
1693,  Mr.  Hancock's  ministrations  ceased,  and  the  town  voted 
to  apply  to  the  government  of  Harvard  College  to  supply  them 
with  a  minister  for  the  winter.  The  town  enjoyed,  for  a 
considerable  time,  the  ministerial  services  of  Mr.  Benjamin 
Colman  (H.  C.  1692). 

May  13,  1695,  the  town  gave  Mr.  Simon  Bradstreet  (H.  C. 
1693)  an  invitation  to  become  their  permanent  pastor ;  and 
the  record  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  Voted  that  Mr.  Simon  Bradstreet,  for  his  encouragement  to 
settle  amongst  us  in  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  shall  have  £40 
in  money,  for  annuity,  with  his  housing  and  firewood." 

This  call  was  not  accepted.  There  were,  at  this  time, 
only  thirty-three  male  inhabitants  who  paid  taxes  on  estates. 
Fifteen  shillings  was  the  common  price  paid,  per  sabbath,  to 
"  occasional  preachers." 

March  5,  1694 :  Voted  that  the  former  subscription  for  the 
support  of  the  minister  should  be  continued,  and  that  the 
board  of  the  minister  should  be  five  shillings  per  week ;  and, 
if  any  one  refused  to  pay  his  share  of  this,  then  the  Selectmen 
should  "  rate  him  according  to  his  effects."  The  town's  rate 
was  "  one  penny  in  the  pound,  and  twelve  pence  per 
head." 


ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY.  203 

Supporting  the  ministry  by  an  equal  tax  on  all  property- 
was  the  settled  policy  of  our  fathers,  though  there  had  been 
objectors  to  the  plan.  So  early  as  1643,  "  one  Briscoe,  of 
Watertown,"  says  Winthrop,  "  wrote  a  book  against  it, 
wherein,  besides  his  arguments,  which  were  naught,  he  cast 
reproach  on  the  elders  and  officers.  He  was  fined  ten  pounds, 
and  one  of  the  publishers  forty  shillings." 

Not  successful  in  settling  a  minister,  the  town  hired  Mr. 
Benjamin  Woodbridge,  of  Charlestown,  to  preach  for  six 
months ;  and,  as  his  engagements  in  Charlestown  did  not 
allow  him  to  reside  in  Medford,  the  town  passed  the  follow- 
ing vote,  Dec.  5,  1698  :  — 

"  Voted  that  Cotton  Tufts  be  chosen  and  appointed  to  agree  with 
Mr.  Joseph  Squire  for  his  horse  for  Mr.  Woodbridge,  riding  from 
Charleston  to  Medford  every  Saturday,  and  from  Medford  to 
Charlestown  every  Monday  ;  allowing  said  Squire  two  shillings  per 
journey  for  said  horse,  going  and  coming,  well-shod  for  said  jour- 
ney. Mr.  Woodbridge  also  to  ride  said  Squire's  horse  to  meeting 
on  the  sabbath-days  when  there  shall  be  occasion." 

As  the  history  of  this  gentleman's  ministerial  connection 
with  the  town  of  Medford  will  let  us  into  some  clear  know- 
ledge, not  only  of  the  taste  and  temper  of  our  ancestors,  but 
of  their  faith  and  wisdom,  we  shall  here  give  a  few  de- 
tails. 

Mr.  Woodbridge  was  the  son  of  Rev.  John  Woodbridge, 
of  Andover.  He  was  ordained,  March  18,  1670,  over  the 
"  Presbyterian  party  "  in  Windsor,  Conn.  He  left  Wind- 
sor, and  preached  at  Bristol,  R.I.  He  left  Bristol,  and 
preached  at  Kittery,  Maine.  In  1691,  he  resided  in  Ports- 
mouth, N.H.     In  1698,  he  began  to  officiate  in  Medford. 

The  subject  of  the  church  and  the  ministry  being  the  para- 
mount topic  in  our  early  times,  we  may  not  wonder  if  we 
find  in  it  traditional  enthusiasm  and  Protestant  Popery.  Our 
fathers  found  some  ministers  to  be  mere  church-clocks,  for 
ticking  the  seconds  and  striking  the  hours ;  but  whether 
they  found  Mr.  Woodbridge  such  a  one,  or  a  whip  of  fire, 
the  following  history  will  disclose. 

He  seemed  to  preach  so  acceptably,  that  movements  were 
made  to  give  him  a  call;  and,  March  28,  1698,  the  town 
voted  that  ""Mr.  Woodbridge,  when  legally  settled  amongst 
us  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  shall  have  forty  pounds  in 
money,   fifteen   cords   of  wood,  and   strangers'   money,   for 


204  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORO. 

annuity."  "  Strangers'  money  "  meant  the  moneys  paid  by 
persons  not  legally  ratable.  The  vote  of  March  28  was  not 
meant  to  be  a  legal  call,  but  only  a  preliminary  feeler  for  both 
parties.  Matters  were  not  hastened ;  for  not  until  Sept.  15, 
1701,  do  we  find  two  persons  appointed  by  the  town  "to 
discourse  with  Mr.  Woodbridge,  and  know  his  mind  con- 
cerning settling  in  the  town  in  the  work  of  the  ministry." 
Dec.  15,  1701,  the  town  voted  to  give  thirty  pounds  to  Mr. 
"Woodbridge,  as  encouragement  to  settle  in  Medford,  but  upon 
the  condition  that  "  he  remain  during  his  natural  life ;  but, 
if  he  saw  cause  to  remove,  then  to  return  the  said  thirty 
pounds  to  the  town  again." 

Nov.  26,  1700,  the  town  voted  to  build  a  parsonage  ;  but, 
as  some  objections  existed,  it  was  deferred.  The  subject, 
however,  was  revived  the  next  year,  and  a  vote  obtained  for 
the  erection ;  but,  on  the  passage  of  this  resolution,  the 
records  say,  that  "  Mr.  Ebenezer  Brooks  and  Samuel  Brooks 
did  then  enter  their  dissent  against  raising  money  for  build- 
ing a  house  for  the  minister."  After  three  attempts  to  get 
a  satisfactory  vote  to  build  a  house  thirty-eight  feet  long 
and  twenty-nine  feet  wide,  the  matter  was  indefinitely  post- 
poned. Mr.  Woodbridge  wished  to  settle  as  the  minister, 
and  therefore  urged  the  building  of  a  parsonage.  His  new 
entreaties  resulted  in  a  new  plan ;  which  was  to  give  Mr. 
Woodbridge  thirty  pounds,  and  let  him  build  his  house  as 
he  pleased.  Accordingly,  a  "  rate "  was  levied,  and  forty- 
two  names  appear  on  the  records,  March  23,  1701.  Here 
commenced  a  series  of  dissensions.  The  thirty  pounds  were 
paid  to  Mr.  Woodbridge,  and  he  began  to  build ;  but,  for 
what  cause  we  cannot  discover,  the  reverend  gentleman  had 
serious  difficulties  with  his  carpenters  and  some  of  his  parish- 
ioners. These  stimulated  him  and  moved  him  to  complaints, 
the  natural  results  of  which  were  mutual  defences  and  angry 
recriminations.  Mr.  Woodbridge  was  called  upon  to  give  a 
receipt  for  the  thirty  pounds  which  had  been  paid  him.  He 
not  only  refused  to  give  a  receipt,  but  denied  having  received 
the  money ;  declined  giving  any  account  of  it ;  and,  moreover, 
objected  to  referring  the  matter  to  the  elders  at  Boston.  His 
refusal  of  this  reference  betrays  his  Presbyterianism.  A  con- 
siderable time  was  wasted  in  this  dubious  and  belligerent 
condition,  when  the  town  referred  their  case  to  impartial 
clergymen  and  elders  of  Boston ;  and,  May  2,  170-1,  they 
received  the  following  letter  :  — 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  205 

"May  2,  1704. 

"  The  differences  between  Mr.  Woodbridge  and  several  of  the 
good  people  of  Medford  have  been  laid  before  our  consideration, 
and  they  appear  unto  us  to  be  of  a  very  uncomfortable  aspect. 

"  Our  advice  having  been  asked,  whether  it  be  proper  to  proceed 
unto  an  immediate  settlement  of  a  church  state,  whilst  the  present 
uneasiness  and  alienation  of  minds  remain  uncured,  we  cannot  but 
declare  that  it  seems  to  us  not  desirable.  "We  could  rejoice  if  we 
had  a  more  hopeful  prospect  of  a  right  understanding  and  good 
establishment  in  Medford. 

"  If  it  appears  hopeless  to  the  discerning  Christians  in  the  place 
(whereof  we  at  this  distance  make  not  ourselves  the  judges),  it 
seems  better  for  them  to  study  the  best  methods  of  parting  as 
lovingly  and  speedily  as  they  can,  than,  by  continuing  longer 
together,  and  carrying  on  a  controversy,  to  produce  exasperations 
that  may  defeat  all  other  attempts  to  come  at  a  desirable  settle- 
ment. (Signed) 

"Increase  Mather. 
"  Samuel  Willard." 

The  advice  of  these  gentlemen,  so  full  of  wisdom  and  love, 
did  not  suit  Mr.  Woodbridge.  Difficulties  thickened,  and 
the  church  seemed  to  have  fallen  into  a  "  place  where  two  seas 
met." 

June  19,  1704,  the  town  voted  that  what  they  had  done 
about  Mr.  Woodbridge's  settlement  be  null  and  void.  This 
does  not  seem  to  have  altered  materially  the  relations  of  the 
parties ;  for,  Dec.  19,  1704,  the  town  directed  the  Selectmen 
to  make  "  a  rate  of  forty  pounds,  and  thirteen  cords  of  wood, 
for  Mr.  Woodbridge's  salary."  What  constituted  a  legal  call 
of  a  minister,  seems  not  to  have  been  definitely  understood. 
Some  strenuously  maintained  that  "  it  was  not  in  the  power 
of  a  town  to  dismiss  their  minister." 

March  5,  1705,  the  town  "  voted  that  they  would  not  pro- 
ceed to  settle  Mr.  Woodbridge  as  their  minister."  After  this, 
the  reverend  gentleman  resorted  to  a  new  mode  of  operation, 
aided,  no  doubt,  by  his  few  earnest  friends.  The  explanation 
of  all  may  be  found  in  the  following  vote  of  the  town  at  the 
time  :  — 

Voted,  "  Whereas  Mr.  "Woodbridge  hath  lately  attempted  the 
gathering  a  church  in  Medford,  contrary  to  the  respected  advice  of 
the  elders  in  the  neighborhood,  though  the  whole  procedure  hath 
been  highly  irregular,  and  done  without  advice  or  respect  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  town,  and  without  the  countenance  and  concur- 
rence of  the  neighbor  churches ;  and,  if  he  continues  among  us  after 


206  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOKD. 

this  manner,  there  will  be  a  foundation  laid  for  endless  confusion 
and  contention  in  this  languishing  town :  for  these  and  other  such 
considerations,  the  town  do  declare  themselves  highly  dissatisfied  at 
Mr.  Woodbridge's  late  irregular  attempts  and  actions  about  gather- 
ing a  church,  and  do  protest  against  his  going  on  in  the  offensive 
way  he  is  in,  and  do  forbid  his  preaching  any  more  in  their  public 
meeting-house." 

Mr.  Woodbriclge  now  appealed  to  the  "General  Sessions 
of  Peace  "  at  Charlestown.  Their  reply  was,  that  "  Mr. 
Woodbridge  is  not  a  settled  minister  in  Medford."  Four- 
teen citizens  immediately  entered  their  protest  against  this 
decision.  He  next  appealed  to  Governor  Dudley  and  his 
Council ;  and  the  result  there  was  expressed  in  these  words  : 
"  That  Mr.  Woodbridge  should  not  preach  till  he  had  made 
acknowledgments  to  the  aggrieved  parties." 

July,  1705  :  A  council  of  six  churches  was  called,  "  to 
convince  of,  and  testify  against,  those  evils  which  have 
obstructed  the  quiet  and  regular  settlement  and  enjoyment 
of  all  gospel  ordinances  in  Medford."  Rev.  Joseph  Easter- 
brook,  of  Concord,  was  Moderator.  The  Council  censured 
both  Mr.  Woodbridge  and  the  town  of  Medford.  One  of 
the  censures  of  Mr.  Woodbridge  was,  that  "  the  steps  which 
he  took  towards  gathering  a  church,  as  to  the  time  and  under 
the  circumstances,  were  very  unadvised,  and  obstructive  to 
the  regular  settlement  and  enjoyment  of  all  gospel  ordinances 
in  that  town." 

We  can  imagine  how  much  fireside  conversation  and  deep 
feeling  there  must  have  been  in  the  scattered  farm-houses  of 
Medford,  while  these  unhappy  differences  had  risen  so  high 
as  to  require  the  attention  of  the  clergy,  and  even  the  inter- 
position of  the  highest  executive  authority.  Sadness  and 
gloom  settled  upon  the  minds  of  our  fathers.  At  such  a 
time,  they  obeyed  the  dictates  of  a  Christian  prudence  and 
a  pious  heart.  They  believed  in  prayer ;  and  therefore,  on 
the  6th  December,  1706,  the  Selectmen  appointed  a  town 
fast,  that  all  the  inhabitants,  with  one  heart  and  one  mind, 
should  unite  in  asking  God  to  heal  these  divisions,  and  restore 
to  them  a  true  gospel  peace. 

Cool  and  right-hearted,  as  full  of  valor  as  of  wisdom,  the 
town  was  still  tolerant,  and  referred  their  case  to  the  "  Court 
of  Sessions  at  Cambridge,"  who  appointed  four  persons  to 
hear  all  the  complaints  on  both  sides,  and  then  to  recommend 
some  mode  of  reconciliation,  or  to  advise  a  peaceable  separa- 


ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY.  207 

tion.  After  patient  reviewal  of  the  "whole,  they  report, 
Not.  28,  1707,  that  "  the  wound  is  incurable ; "  and  there- 
fore advise  a  quiet  withdrawal  of  Mr.  Woodbridge,  "  the 
town  paying  him  forty  pounds,  in  bills  of  credit,  in  full  of 
all  demands ;  also  give  him  the  strangers'  money  which  has 
been  collected  during  the  last  nine  sabbaths ;  and,  further- 
more, to  offer  to  purchase  his  real  estate  for  two  hundred 
and  seventy  pounds."  This  decision,  deemed  by  many  as 
equitable  and  conciliatory,  was  somewhat  modified  by  the 
highest  tribunal,  "  the  Great  and  General  Court,  held  at  Bos- 
ton." May  26,  1708,  this  court  voted  "  that  Mr.  Woodbridge 
is  hereby  declared  to  be  no  longer  minister  of  Medford." 
Also  voted,  at  the  same  time,  "that  this  Court  are  directed 
speedily  to  procure  and  settle  another  minister ;  and  that  this 
Court  do  advise  Mr.  Woodbridge  by  no  means  to  discourage 
the  coming  and  settlement  of  another  minister  among  them." 
The  first  of  these  votes  pleased  a  majority  of  the  town ;  the 
last  displeased  the  whole  ;  and  forthwith  our  Medford  fathers, 
in  the  true  spirit  of  congregational  liberty,  came  together  and 
resolved  thus  :  "  To  petition  the  Court  of  Sessions  that  we  may 
not  have  a  minister  imposed  upon  us  ;  but  may  have  the  liberty 
and  privilege  to  choose  our  minister  as  other  towns  have,  as  the 
law  directs." 

It  is  not  worth  while  to  enter  into  details  of  small  tilings. 
One  specimen,  occurring  at  this  time,  derives  its  importance 
from  the  fact  that  our  fathers  enlisted  such  men  as  Chief 
Justice  Sewall  in  their  troubles.     The  fact  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  To  Mr.  Benjamin  Woodbridge, 

per  Lieut.  Stephen  "Willis.  "  June  5,  1708. 

"  Sir,  —  In  your  account  of  disbursements,  given  to  the  town 
of  Medford,  at  their  meeting,  Dec.  19, 1705,  your  first  article  is,  'The 
expenses  upon  land,  house,  fencing,  &c,  as  appears  from  my  book, 
£249.  85.  Id.'  Now,  the  Committee  desire  to  see  the  particulars 
by  which  that  sum  rises  ;  and,  to  that  end,  that  you  would  meet 
them,  or  some  of  them,  upon  'Change,  presently  after  the  Artillery 
Sermon,  next  Monday,  where  we  may  agree  of  a  place  of  recess 
for  this  purpose. 

"  Sir,  your  servant, 

"  Samuel  Sewall." 

So  tenacious  was  the  grasp  of  Mr.  Woodbridge  on  the  pul- 
pit of  Medford,  and  so  devoted  were  some  hearts  to  his  cause, 
that,  after  all  which  had  happened,  we  find  the  town,  Dec.  6, 
1708,  voting  thus :   "  That   Mr.  Woodbridge   be   invited  to 


208  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

preach  three  months  on  a  free  contribution."  This  must 
have  been  nearly  a  tie  vote,  since  thirteen  members  imme- 
diately enter  their  protest  against  it.  This  probably  ended 
Mr.  Woodbridge's  connection  with  the  church  as  its  preacher  ; 
for,  in  the  next  year,  Mr.  John  Tufts  is  a  favorite,  and  com- 
mended for  settlement. 

During  the  long  and  increasing  dissension,  which  was  now 
closed,  it  is  apparent  that  the  town  took  counsel  of  wisdom 
and  charity.  They  wished  to  give  Mr.  Woodbridge  every 
opportunity  of  righting  himself  before  the  community,  the 
churches,  and  the  government ;  they  apprehended  the 
worldly  and  spiritual  equity  of  the  case ;  and  it  is  refreshing 
to  read  their  vote  upon  it,  in  the  following  beautiful 
words :  — 

"  The  difference  hath  been  as  tenderly,  carefully,  and  well 
managed  as  we  could." 

It  is  observable  also  with  what  serpent-like  wisdom  and 
dove-like  harmlessness  their  advisers  managed  the  case. 
They  did  not  consider  the  contending  parties  as  acids  and 
alkalies,  but  as  friends  who  desired  reconciliation.  After 
such  a  religious  dissension,  a  parish  would  not  be  likely  to 
unite  very  soon  in  the  choice  of  another  minister,  unless 
there  was  that  enlarged  spirit  of  Christian  compromise  which 
requires  more  profound  thought  and  a  more  expansive  tole- 
rance than  the  education  of  our  ancestors  had  led  them  to 
attain  or  to  cherish. 

Mr.  Woodbridge  died  in  Medford,  Jan.  15,  1710,  after  a 
residence  of  nearly  ten  years,  aged  sixty-five ;  and,  on  the 
same  day,  with  commendable  promptitude  and  just  liberality, 
the  town  voted  ten  pounds  to  defray  the  expenses  of  his 
funeral,  —  an  act  which  proves  that  they  would  not  let  the 
sun  go  down  upon  their  animosity. 

"Thursday,  19th,  Mr.  Woodbridge  was  buried.  Mr.  Parsons,  of 
Maiden,  preached  the  funeral  sermon.  Bearers:  President  (of 
College)  ;  Mr.  Hobart,  of  Newton ;  Mr.  Brattle ;  Mr.  Bradstreet ; 
Mr.  Parsons  ;  Mr.  Ruggles,  of  Billericay.  By  reason  that  it  was 
lecture-day,  and  Mr.  Colman  preached,  and  the  wind  very  high  and 
blustering,  not  one  Boston  minister  was  there." 

Mr.  Woodbridge  seems  not  to  have  lost  his  ministerial 
standing  during  his  troubles  in  Medford  ;  and  we  must  leave 
to  future  disclosures  some  points  which  now  appear  equivocal. 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  209 

It  was  now  the  object  of  the  leading  minds  in  the  town  to 
compose  all  differences  as  soon  as  possible  ;  but  they  found 
that  the  waves  lash  the  shore  after  the  wind  that  has  raised 
them  has  ceased  to  blow.  Resolved  to  enjoy  the  regular 
ministrations  of  the  word  and  ordinances,  the  town  passed 
the  following  vote,  Feb.  17,  1709  :  — 

u  Whether  the  town  will  encourage  the  preaching  of  the  word 
amongst  us  by  a  free  contribution.     Voted  in  the  negative." 

This  vote  showed  two  points :  first,  that  they  would  not 
make  the  support  of  public  worship  to  depend  on  the  caprice 
or  selfishness  of  the  people ;  and,  second,  that  they  resolved 
every  one  should  pay  according  to  his  means. 

April  11,  1711:  "John  Whitmore,  sen.,  Samuel  Brooks, 
and  Stephen  Hall,  were  chosen  to  see  for  a  supply  of  preach- 
ing in  Medford  for  the  time  aforesaid." 

Mr.  John  Tufts,  son  of  Mr.  Peter  Tufts,  of  Medford, 
proved  so  acceptable,  that  the  town  gave  him  an  invitation, 
Nov.  12,  1711,  to  settle  on  a  salary  of  fifty  pounds  and 
strangers'  money. 

Mr.  Tufts's  reply,  under  date  of  "Medford,  Dec.  10, 
1711,"  so  reveals  certain  facts  that  we  transcribe  it  here :  — 

"  To  the  Selectmen  of  Medford. 

"  Sirs,  —  I  have  considered  of  the  invitation  which  you,  by  your 
town's  order,  acquainted  me  they  had  given  me,  and  also  of  the 
offer  they  had  made  for  my  encouragement  to  settle  with  them  in 
the  work  of  the  ministry,  for  which  I  give  them  thanks ;  and  you 
may  inform  the  town,  I  am  not  indisposed  to  serve  the  interests  of 
Christ  in  this  place,  and  should  cheerfully  undertake  the  dispensa- 
tion and  administration  of  the  word  and  ordinances  of  God  amongst 
them,  but  that  the  circumstances  of  the  town  at  present  are  such 
that  I  cannot  readily  and  so  freely  comply  with  their  desire  as  is  to 
be  wished  for ;  but,  however,  if  suitable  means  were  speedily  used, 
and  proper  attempts  made,  to  satisfy  those  persons  that  are  averse 
to  my,  or  any  other  person's,  settling  in  the  work  of  the  ministry  in 
this  place,  and  also  if  the  town  will  allow  me  such  a  salary  as  I  shall 
think  sufficient  for  my  maintenance,  I  know  nothing  to  the  contrary, 
but  I  may  undertake  the  work  of  the  ministry  amongst  them.  My 
desire  and  prayer  to  the  infinitely  wise  God  for  this  people  is,  that  he 
would  incline  and  direct  them  to  do  that  which  will  be  most  for 
God's  glory  and  their  own  peace  and  happiness,  both  in  this  and  in 
the  world  to  come.  John  Tufts." 

Mr.  Tufts  afterwards  concluded  not  to  settle  ;  and  the  town 
resolved  to  hear  candidates  with  reference  to  ordination. 
27 


210  HISTORY    OF    MEUFORD. 

The  town  also  concluded  to  have  a  contribution  each  Sun- 
day, and  thus  pay  the  minister  at  the  end  of  the  day  ;  and 
voted  that  each  person  should  previously  write  down,  on  a 
rate-bill,  what  he  will  contribute  each  Sunday.  The  persons 
who  gathered  these  contributions  were  appointed  from  among 
the  most  trustworthy  of  the  congregation.  The  great  watch- 
fulness of  our  fathers  in  these  money-matters  is  seen  in  a 
vote  passed  at  this  period  (1709).     It  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  Voted  to  call  Mr.  John  Whitmore  to  an  account  by  what  order 
he  held  out  the  contribution-box,  and  how  he  disposed  of  the  money 
that  was  put  therein." 

March  6,  1710:  Voted  to  apply  to  Mr.  John  Whiting, 
Fellow  of  Harvard  College,  to  preach  for  three  months. 
This  gentleman  refused ;  and  Mr.  John  Tufts  was  engaged  for 
six  months.  At  the  end  of  this  time,  July  17,  1710,  he 
engaged  to  supply  the  pulpit  six  months  longer.  The  town 
now  proposed  a  "  free  contribution,"  in  connection  with  a 
"  subscription,"  for  the  support  of  public  worship. 

There  is  a  bewildering  queerness  in  the  following  vote, 
passed  by  the  town  April  19,  1710  :  — 

"  Put  to  vote,  whether  the  town  will  allow  Francis  Whitmore  six 
shillings  for  dining  the  minister  four  days.  Voted  in  the  nega- 
tive" 

Our  fathers  had  a  new  source  of  alarm  in  the  attempt  to 
introduce  English  Episcopacy.  They  had  not  forgotten  the 
persecutions  of  Archbishop  Laud ;  and  they  feared  every 
thing  from  a  church  that  was  "  a  tool  of  the  king."  Excited, 
suspicious,  unforgiving,  and  intolerant  in  this  matter,  they 
called  the  Episcopalian  clergymen  "  Baal's  priests ; "  the 
unvarying  service,  "  travelling  round  life-long  in  the  same 
deep  ruts ; "  and  the  set  prayers,  "  leeks,  garlick,  and 
trash." 

In  the  Medford  church,  though  there  were  differing  opi- 
nions concerning  particular  preachers  and  concerning  worldly 
prudentials,  there  was  a  true  and  steady  purpose  in  all  hearts 
to  have  a  settled  pastor  and  teacher ;  and  they  all  united 
piously  to  hold  a  town-fast  on  the  last  Wednesday  of  April, 
1712.  The  record  speaks  of  the  day  as  one  "to  be  solem- 
nized as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  to  humble  ourselves 
before  God  for  those  divisions  and  contentions  that  hath  been 
so  long  prevailing  among  us,  and  obstructed  the  peaceable 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HIST011Y.  211 

enjoyment  of  gospel  ordinances."  They  agreed  to  meet 
immediately  after  the  religious  exercises  of  the  fast,  and  to 
ask  each  man  to  bring,  on  a  piece  of  paper,  the  name  of  the 
gentleman  he  should  prefer  as  his  minister,  and,  out  of 
the  three  who  had  the  highest  number,  to  select  one  as  the 
pastor.  It  proved  that  Mr.  Amos  Cheever,  Mr.  John  Tufts, 
and  Mr.  Aaron  Porter,  were  the  candidates. 

The  lot  finally  fell  on  the  last-named  gentleman.  How 
long  he  preached  as  a  candidate,  we  do  not  know.  The  time 
must  have  been  short ;  for,  on  the  19th  of  May,  1712,  the 
town  voted,  with  most  hopeful  unanimity,  to  invite  Mr. 
Aaron  Porter  to  become  their  minister.  His  salary  was  to 
be  fifty-five  pounds,  and  to  be  increased  two  pounds  annually 
until  it  reached  seventy  pounds.  To  this  was  added  the 
strangers'  money ;  twenty  cords  of  wood,  or  seven  pounds. 
It  was  further  provided,  that  if  a  part  of  Charlestown  that 
lies  next  to  Medford  be  annexed,  then  Mr.  Porter's  salary  be 
raised  ten  pounds.  It  was  further  provided,  that  "  the  rates 
for  Mr,  Aaron  Porter's  salary  be  levied  on  polls  and  ratable 
estate,  according  to  the  rate  of  raising  and  levying  the 
county  tax." 

Mr.  Porter  accepted  this  invitation,  but  demanded  "  one 
hundred  pounds  as  a  settlement."  The  gift  of  such  a  sum 
to  a  new  pastor  was  customary,  and  the  Medford  church 
acceded.  Not  being  rich,  the  town  voted  to  ask  the  aid 
of  sister  churches  in  paying  this  sum,  which  we  trust  was 
cheerfully  granted.  At  the  same  meeting,  they  passed  the 
following  vote :  — 

"  That  the  Representative  draw  and  prefer  a  petition  to  the 
General  Court  for  some  help  as  to  maintenance  and  support  of  the 
ministry  amongst  us." 

"  Voted  to  clear  with  Mr.  Porter  once  in  six  months  ; " 
that  is,  to  pay  up  in  full. 

The  questions  concerning  Congregationalism  had  elicited 
long  discussion,  and  kindled  some  fire.  Whether  it  meant 
a  right  in  every  church  to  elect  and  ordain  its  own  officers, 
manage  its  own  affairs,  and  maintain  a  pure  worship  ;  or 
whether  it  meant  that  the  State  was  the  proper  head  of  the 
church,  and  therefore  should  regulate  faith  and  punish 
heresy,  —  our  fathers  took  the  first  view,  and  declared  for  a 
free  "  independency,"  and  acted  accordingly. 

The  ordination  was  voted  to  take  place  on  the   11th  of 


212  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

February,  1713  ;  and  the  town  provided  a  "  place  for  enter- 
taining the  reverend  elders,  messengers,  ministers,  and  scho- 
lars who  should  be  present  on  the  occasion."  The  whole  cost 
of  the  ordination  was  about  sixteen  pounds. 

The  law  authorizing  taxes  on  ratable  inhabitants  for  the 
support  of  public  worship  bears  date  1677.  The  early  Inde- 
pendent or  Congregational  churches  distinguished  between 
pastor  and  teacher.  The  Cambridge  platform  of  1648  con- 
fines the  pastor  to  exhortation,  and  the  teacher  to  doctrine. 
Mr.  "Wilson,  who  owned  land  in  Mistick,  was  pastor  of  the 
first  church  in  Boston,  while  Mr.  Cotton  was  its  teacher. 
"  Ruling  elder  "  was  an  officer  different  from  a  pastor  or 
teacher  or  deacon.  His  duty  was  "  to  attend  to  the  admis- 
sion of  members,  to  ordain  officers  chosen  by  the  church,  to 
excommunicate  obstinate  offenders  renounced  by  the  church, 
and  to  restore  penitents  forgiven  by  the  church,"  &c.  The 
deacon's  duty  was  "  limited  to  the  care  of  the  temporal  things 
of  the  church,  the  contribution  of  the  saints,"  &c.  In  Med- 
ford,  the  useless  distinction  between  pastor  and  teacher  was 
laid  aside,  as  was  also  the  office  of  ruling  elder.  The  earliest 
churches  ordained  the  deacons ;  and  church-membership  was 
an  indispensable  qualification  for  the  freedom  of  the  colony 
and  the  right  of  franchise.  In  the  choice  of  a  minister,  the 
church  nominated ;  and  then  the  society,  without  respect  to 
church-membership,  elected  him  on  the  republican  principle 
of  a  majority -vote. 

REV.   AARON  PORTER. 

This  gentleman  was  born,  July  19,  1689,  in  Hadley, 
Massachusetts.  His  great-grandfather  was  John  Porter,  of 
Windsor,  Connecticut.  His  grandfather,  son  of  John,  was 
Samuel  Porter,  who  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Hadley, 
in  1659,  and  died  in  1689,  leaving  seven  children.  His 
father  was  Samuel  Porter,  Esq.,  eldest  son  of  the  above- 
named  Samuel.  He  was  born  in  1660;  married  Joanna, 
daughter  of  Aaron  Cook,  Esq.,  of  Hadley ;  was  a  gentleman 
of  wealth  and  influence,  extensively  engaged  in  trade,  and  at 
one  time  High-Sheriff  of  the  County.  He  died  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1722,  aged  sixty-two,  leaving  three  sons  and  four 
daughters,  all  of  whom  are  mentioned  in  his  will.  At  the 
time  he  executed  his  will,  Jan.  30,  1722,  he  knew  not  of  the 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  213 

death  of  his  son,  Rev.  Aaron  Porter,  though  he  had  then 
been  dead  a  week ;  a  striking  proof  of  the  difficulty  of  com- 
municating intelligence. 

The  minister  of  Medford  was  the  second  son  and  the  third 
child  of  the  above  Samuel,  and  was  named  Aaron,  in  honor 
of  his  grandfather  Cook.  He  was  graduated  at  Harvard 
College,  1708;  previously  to  which  he  had  joined  himself  to 
a  society  formed  at  college,  May,  1706,  that  met  weekly  "for 
prayer  and  spiritual  discourse." 

Of  his  ordination  at  Medford,  Chief  Justice  Samuel  Sewall 
gives  the  following  account  in  his  diary.  After  mentioning  a 
vehement,  drifting  storm  of  snow  the  day  preceding,  he 
writes  :  — 

"Wednesday,  Feb.  11,  1713:  Mr.  Aaron  Porter  is  ordained 
pastor  of  the  church  at  Meadford.  Mr.  Angier,  of  Water-town,  gave 
the  charge ;  Mr.  Hancock,  of  Lexington,  the  right  hand  of  fellow- 
ship. The  storm  foregoing  hindered  my  son  Joseph  (settled  the 
same  year  over  the  Old  South  Church  in  Boston)  from  being  there. 
Were  many  more  people  there  than  the  meeting-house  could 
hold." 

In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year,  Mr.  Porter  married  Su- 
sanna,  daughter  of  Major  Stephen  Sewall,  Esq.,  of  Salem, 
and  a  sister  of  Stephen  Sewall  (H.  C,  1721),  afterwards 
Chief  Justice.  Judge  Samuel,  her  uncle,  gives  the  following 
account  of  the  wedding  :  — 

"1713,  Oct.  22:  I  go  to  Salem;  visit  Mrs.  Epes,  Colonel  Ha- 
thorne.  See  Mr.  Noyes  marry  Mr.  Aaron  Porter  and  Miss  Susan 
Sewall  at  my  brother's.  Was  a  pretty  deal  of  company  present. 
Mr.  Hirst  and  wife,  Mr.  Blowers  (minister  of  Beverly),  Mr.  Pres- 
cot  (minister  of  Dan  vers),  Mr.  Tuft,  sen.  (father  of  Rev.  John 
Tufts,  of  Newbury),  Madame  Leverett  (lady  of  Pres.  Leverett), 
Foxcroft,  GofF,  Kitchen,  Mr.  Samuel  Porter,  father  of  the  bride- 
groom, I  should  have  said  before.  Many  young  gentlemen  and 
gentlewomen.  Mr.  Noyes  made  a  speech :  said,  Love  was  the  sugar 
to  sweeten  every  condition  in  the  married  relation.  Prayed  once. 
Did  all  very  well.  After  the  Sack-Posset  (a  common  article  of 
entertainment  at  weddings),  sung  the  45th  Psalm  from  the  8th  verse 
to  the  end,  —  five  staves.  I  set  it  to  Windsor  tune.  I  had  a  very 
good  turkey-leather  Psalm-book,  which  I  looked  in,  while  Mr.  Noyes 
read ;  and  then -I  gave  it  to  the  bridegroom,  saying,  '  I  give  you  this 
Psalm-book  in  order  to  your  perpetuating  this  song ;  and  I  would 
have  you  pray  that  it  may  be  an  introduction  to  our  singing  with 
the  choir  above.'     I  lodged  at  Mr.  Hirst's." 


214  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

We  may  say  a  word,  in  passing,  of  these  customs  of  our 
ancestors.  The  Psalm-book  used  on  this  occasion  was  the 
"New  England  Version,  or  Bay  Psalm-book."  The  psalm 
was  "deaconed."  The  portion  sung  was  ten  verses,  C.  M. 
The  first  two  lines  were  :  — - 

"  Myrrh,  aloes,  and  cassia's  smell 
All  of  thy  garments  had." 

The  last  verse,  to  which  the  Judge  seems  to  allude  in  what 
he  said  to  the  bridegroom,  as  he  presented  the  "  turkey- 
leather  Psalm-book,"  read  thus  :  — 

«'  Thy  name  remembered  I  "will  make 
In  generations  aH; 
Therefore,  for  ever  and  for  aye 
Thy  people  praise  thee  shall." 

The  tune  selected  seems  to  us  a  singular  one  for  the  occa- 
sion. "  Windsor  "  is  a  proper  tune  for  a  funeral ;  but,  for  a 
wedding,  how  dull!  So  thought  not  our  ancestors.  While 
they  gloried  in  singing  sprightly  "  York  "  or  "  St.  David's  " 
on  Sunday,  solemn  "Windsor"  or  "Low  Dutch"  (Canter- 
bury) was  their  frequent  choice  at  weddings  and  other  festal 
occasions. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Porter  came  to  Medford  immediately  after 
their  marriage,  and  lived  happily  together.  They  were  highly 
esteemed  by  their  uncle,  Judge  Sewall,  who  frequently  called 
on  them  when  going  to  Salem  and  Newbury.  His  diary 
says : — 

"  July  28,  1714 :  According  to  my  promise,  I  carried  my  daughter 
Hannah  to  Meadford,  to  visit  Cousin  Porter.  In  her  mother's  name, 
she  presented  her  cousin  with  a  red  coat  for  her  little  Aaron,  hlue 
facing,  for  the  sleeves  galoon.  Cost  about  12s.  2d.  I  carried  her 
three  oranges.  Gave  the  nurse  2s.,  maid  Is.  Hannah  gave  the 
nurse  Is.  Got  thither  about  one.  Over  the  ferry  before  dark.  5s. 
for  the  calash.  Mr.  Porter  went  to  Salem  on  Monday,  and  was  not 
come  home,  though  the  sun  scarce  half  an  hour  high,  when  came 
away.     Laus  Deo." 

Rev.  Aaron  Porter  was  ordained  as  the  first  minister  of 
Medford,  February  11,  1713.  His  own  record  is  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

"  May  19, 1712 :  The  town  of  Medford  called  me,  Aaron  Porter, 
to  serve  them  in  the  work  of  the  ministry ;  which  call  (after  serious 
and  frequent  application  to  the  God  of  all  grace)  I  accepted  as  a 
call  from  God. 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  215 

"  Feb.  11,  1713 :  This  day  was  set  apart  as  a  day  of  fasting  and 
prayer,  in  order  to  separate  or  ordain  me  to  the  sacred  office  of  a 
minister  of  the  gospel.  The  reverend  elders  sent  to  assist  in  this 
solemn  action  were  these  following :  scil.,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Samuel 
Angler,  of  Watertown ;  Mr.  William  Brattle,  of  Cambridge ;  Mr. 
John  Hancock,  of  Lexington ;  Mr.  Simon  Bradstreet,  of  Charles- 
town  ;  Mr.  John  Fox,  of  Woburn ;  and  Mr.  David  Parsons,  of 
Maiden  ;  all  of  whom  (except  the  llev.  Mr.  Wm.  Brattle  and  Mr. 
John  Fox,  who  at  this  time  labored  under  bodily  indispositions) 
were  present,  with  other  delegates  of  the  churches. 

"  The  reverend  elders  and  messengers  being  assembled  at  the 
house  of  Br.  John  Bradshaw,  the  first  thing  they  did  was  the 
gathering  a  church ;  which  was  done  by  a  number  of  the  brethren's 
signing  to  a  covenant  prepared  for  that  purpose." 

By  a  law  of  the  General  Court,  passed  March  3,  1636, 
each  church  must  be  recognized  and  approved  by  the  magis- 
trates soon  after  its  organization  ;  otherwise  its  members  can- 
not be  admitted  as  freemen  of  the  Commonwealth.  The 
Medford  church  was  so  approved.  Maiden  was  fined,  in 
1651,  for  settling  a  minister  "without  the  consent  of  the 
neighboring  churches  or  the  allowance  of  the  magistrates." 

"  Covenant.  —  We,  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed,  appre- 
hending ourselves  called  of  God  to  join  together  in  church  com- 
munion (acknowledging  ourselves  unworthy  of  such  a  privilege,  and 
our  inability  to  keep  covenant  with  God,  or  to  perform  any  spiritual 
duty,  unless  Christ  shall  enable  thereunto),  in  humble  dependence 
on  free  grace  for  divine  assistance  and  acceptance,  we  do,  in  the 
name  of  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord,  freely  covenant,  and  bind  ourselves 
solemnly,  in  the  presence  of  God  himself,  his  holy  angels,  and  all 
his  servants  here  present,  to  sei've  the  God  whose  name  alone  is 
Jehovah,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  the  only  true  and  living 
God ;  cleaving  to  him,  our  chief  good,  and  unto  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  as  our  only  Saviour,  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King  of  our  souls 
in  a  way  of  gospel  obedience ;  avouching  the  Lord  to  be  our 
God,  and  the  God  of  our  children,  whom  we  give  unto  him,  count- 
ing it  as  our  highest  honor  that  the  Lord  will  accept  of  us,  and  our 
children  with  us,  to  be  his  people.  We  do  also  give  ourselves  one 
unto  another  in  the  Lord,  covenanting  to  walk  together  as  a  church 
of  Christ  in  all  the  ways  of  his  worship,  according  to  the  holy  rules 
of  his  word ;  promising  in  brotherly  love  faithfully  to  watch  over 
one  another's  souls,  and  to  submit  ourselves  to  the  discipline  and 
power  of  Christ  in  the  church,  and  duly  to  attend  the  seals  and 
censures,  or  whatever  ordinances  Christ  has  commanded  to  be 
observed  by  his  people,  so  far  as  the  Lord  by  his  word  and  spirit 
has  or  shall  reveal  unto  us  to  be  our  duty ;  beseeching  the  Lord  to 
own  us  for  his  people,  and  delight  to  dwell  in  the  midst  of  us.    And, 


216  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


that  we  may  keep  our  covenant  with  God,  we  desire  to  deny  our- 
selves, and  to  depend  wholly  on  the  free  mercy  of  God,  and  upon 
the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ ;  and  wherein  we  fail  to  wait  upon  him 
for  pardon  through  his  name,  beseeching  the  Lord  to  own  us  as  a 
church  of  Christ,  and  delight  to  abide  in  the  midst  of  us. 


1  John  Whitmore. 
Thomas  Hall. 
Nathaniel  Pierce. 
Ebenezer  Brooks. 
John  Francis. 
Samuel  Brooks. 
Thomas  Willis. 
Stephen  Willis. 


"Sijmed  Feb.  11,  1713. 


John  Whitmore. 
John  Bradshaw. 
Stephen  Hall. 
Persival  Hall. 
Jonathan  Hall. 
Francis  Whitmore. 
Thomas  Willis  ,  jun. 


"  This  being  done,  we  went  to  the  place  of  public  worship,  where 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Simon  Bradstreet  began  with  prayer.  Prayer  being 
ended,  I'  preached  from  those  words  in  First  Epistle  to  the  Corin- 
thians iv.  2  :  '  Moreover,  it  is  required  of  stewards  that  a  man  be 
found  faithful.'  This  being  done,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Angier  proceeded  to 
ordination ;  Mr.  Hancock,  Mr.  Bradstreet,  and  Mr.  Parsons  joining 
in  the  imposition  of  hands.  After  this,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hancock  gave 
me  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  We  then  sung  part  of  the  132d 
Psalm ;  and  so  concluded  with  giving  the  blessing. 

"  Thus,  through  the  goodness  of  our  ascended  Lord  and  great 
Shepherd  of  his  sheep,  we  see  another  candlestick  of  the  Lord,  and 
a  light  set  up  in  it.  The  Lord,  who  walks  in  the  midst  of  his  golden 
candlesticks  and  holds  the  stars  in  his  right  hand,  dwell  with  us,  and 
keep  us  pure,  without  spot  or  blemish,  and  enable  his  unworthy 
servant  (who  is,  of  himself,  nothing  but  simpleness  and  darkness, 
and  cannot  shine  but  with  a  borrowed  light),  by  faith  and  prayer,  to 
derive  from  him,  who  is  the  head  of  influences  to  his  church,  such 
measures  of  light  and  grace,  that  he  may  be  instrumental  of  turn- 
ing many  from  darkness  to  light,  and  at  last  shine  in  the  kingdom 
of  heaven  as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever. 

"  March  11 :  The  church  being  called  together,  they  made  choice 
of  Brothers  Thomas  Willis,  sen.,  and  John  Whitmore,  sen.,  as  dea- 
cons in  the  church ;  and  they  accordingly  accepted.  At  the  same 
time,  it  was  determined  that  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper 
should  be  celebrated  on  the  22d  of  March  following,  and  continued 
once  in  six  weeks  till  otherwise  determined.  It  was  likewise  agreed 
upon,  at  this  time,  that  the  ordinance  of  baptism  should  be  adminis- 
tered, not  only  to  the  infants  of  such  as  are  in  full  communion,  but 
to  the  infants  of  such  as  are  baptized,  being  neither  ignorant  nor 
scandalous,  upon  their  owning  the  covenant  publicly ;  supposing  at 
the  same  time  that  the  persons  admitted  to  this  privilege  with  their 
children  are  under  the  care  and  watch  of  this  church,  and  subject 
to  the  discipline  of  it ;  and  that  the  church  may  and  ought  at  any 
time  to  call  them  to  an  account  in  case  of  scandal." 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY. 


217 


Whitmore  House,  Medford 


July  20,  1714,  Mr.  Porter  makes  the  following  record:  — 

"  The  church  being  together,  some  of  them  manifested  an  uneasi- 
ness, that  in  time  past  I  had  not,  at  the  admission  of  members,  read 
publicly  something  of  what  I  had  received  from  them  in  private; 
and  desired  that,  for  time  to  come,  I  should  make  it  my  practice  so 
to  do.  In  compliance  with  which  desire,  I  promised  to  ask  it  of  all 
such  as  should  offer  themselves  to  us ;  but  could  not  see  any  rule  to 
impose  it  as  a  necessary  term  of  communion,  so  as  to  keep  out  such 
as  are  qualified  according  to  the  gospel,  merely  because  they  can- 
not comply  with  this  practice.  It  being  no  institution  of  our  Sa- 
viour, all  that  his  churches  can  do  is  only  to  desire  it  as  an  expedient, 
but  have  no  power  to  command  it,  or,  for  want  of  it,  to  deny  the 
communion  to  any  that  are  qualified  and  regularly  seek  for  it. 

"  At  the  same  time,  I  proposed  to  the  church  that  an  handy-vote 
should  not  be  demanded  or  expected  at  the  admission  of  members  ; 
but  that  (liberty  of  objecting  being  first  given)  their  silence  should 
be  taken  for  consent ;  with  which  the  church  concurred." 

Here  is  a  slight  indication  of  that  Christian  jealousy  exist- 
ing in  the  New  England  churches  in  reference  to  purity  of 
doctrine  and  discipline.  This  watchfulness  and  almost  sus- 
picion of  new  comers  and  of  each  other  was  an  American,  and 
not  a  European,  trait ;  and  it  arose  from  the  fact  that  our 
fathers  came  here  to  establish  a  pure  church,  and  therefore 
judged  this  spiritual  espionage  to  be  their  solemn  duty  and 
sure  defence. 


218  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Jan.  4,  1714:  It  was  voted  "that  such  persons  as  shall 
read  the  psalm  in  the  meeting-house  shall  sit  in  the  deacon's 
seat." 

"June  17,  1715:  Voted  that  such  persons  as  shall  contribute 
on  the  sabbath-days  any  silver  money  or  black-dogs  towards  Mr. 
Porter's  salary,  shall  be  allowed,  out  of  the  minister's  rate,  what  he 
thus  contributes." 

A  deposition  was  made  before  the  authorities  at  Boston, 
July  29,  1701,  that  "  dog  or  lion  dollars  had  been  counter- 
feited." 

March  9,  1720  :  Deacon  Thomas  Willis,  on  account  of  old 
age,  resigns  his  office  in  the  church ;  and  in  the  next  month, 
April  6,  Mr.  Percival  Hall  is  chosen  in  his  place.  Before 
this  choice  was  made,  the  church  voted  that  not  a  plurality  of 
votes  among  the  candidates,  but  a  majority  of  all  the  votes 
cast,  should  be  required  to  constitute  a  choice. 

At  this  time  it  was  voted  by  the  church,  that  — 

"  Such  members  of  other  churches  as  come  to  reside  among  us, 
with  a  desire  to  continue  with  us,  should  be  required  to  obtain  a 
recommendation  from  the  churches  they  came  from,  and  so  put 
themselves  under  the  watch  of  the  church  in  this  place  ;  and  if  they 
refuse  to  do  so  within  one  year  after  their  coming  among  us,  without 
giving  the  church  a  satisfactory  reason  for  their  neglect,  they  shall 
be  denied  the  privileges  of  members  here." 

May  17,  1721 :  The  town  passed  the  following  vote  :  — 

"  To  invite  Mr.  John  Tufts,  of  Charlestown,  to  sit  at  the  table  in 
our  meeting-house ;  and  also  his  wife  to  sit  in  Captain  Tufts's  pew, 
by  his  consent." 

Aug.  2,  1721 :  "  At  a  church-meeting,  Thomas  "Willis,  jun., 
was  chosen  a  deacon  for  this  church." 

There  are  no  records  of  marriages  or  funerals  during  the 
ministry  of  Mr.  Porter.  He  baptized  one  hundred  and  twelve 
persons,  and  admitted  twenty -six  to  the  church. 

The  above  extracts  contain  all  the  facts  of  general  ecclesi- 
astical importance  recorded  during  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Porter.  They  prove  to  us  several  interesting  particulars. 
They  leave  us  to  infer  that  our  Medford  ancestors  selected 
the  right  man  for  their  first  teacher  and  pastor,  —  a  peace- 
maker, who  poured  the  oil  of  Christian  love  upon  the  troubled 
waves  of  the  Woodbridge  storm.  His  learning,  discrimina- 
tion, and  wisdom  are  seen  in  his  decision  of  the  case  brought 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  219 

before  him  by  members  of  his  church,  who  probably  wished 
him  to  require  from  candidates  a  narrative  of  their  Christian 
experiences  as  a  condition  of  their  admission.  He  objected 
to  it,  and  would  "  not  impose  it  as  a  necessary  term  of  commu- 
nion." Such  narratives,  he  maintained,  were  "  no  institution 
of  our  Saviour,"  and  therefore  could  not  be  imposed  as  condi- 
tions of  acceptance  ;  and  he  converted  his  church  to  this 
truth.  His  ministry  was  short,  but  fruitful.  He  found  the 
church  disturbed,  and  left  it  quiet.  "  Blessed  are  the  peace- 
makers ;  for  they  shall  be  called  the  children  of  God." 

These  records  prove,  moreover,  that  our  fathers  adopted 
the  great  republican  principle  of  the  right  of  a  majority  in 
the  forms  of  congregational  government  and  discipline.  They 
were  followers  of  the  apostolic  Robinson,  who  was  the  found- 
er of  the  Independents,  or  Congregationalists ;  and  therefore 
they  held  to  choosing  their  own  minister,  and  then  asking  an 
ecclesiastical  council  to  ordain  him.  They  were  thus  opposed 
to  the  Brownists,  who  held  that  the  laity  might  ordain  their 
own  pastors. 

We  further  learn,  from  these  extracts,  that  the  services  of 
ordination  were  somewhat  different  from  those  in  our  day. 
The  council  demanded  not  the  testimonies  from  the  candidates 
so  generally  required  now.  No  examination  was  instituted, 
no  confession  of  faith  was  read,  and  no  charge  was  given 
him  how  or  what  to  preach. 

The  extracts  furthermore  record  the  gathering  of  the  First 
Church  in  Medford.  Fifteen  members,  who  had  joined  the 
churches  in  neighboring  towns,  signed  the  covenant  which  had 
been  drawn  for  that  purpose.  Eleven  of  these  brethren  were 
connected  with  the  church  in  Cambridge,  one  with  that  in 
Braintree,  one  in  Watertown,  one  in  Woburn,  and  one  in  Mai- 
den. Why  the  sisters  did  not  sign,  we  are  not  told ;  and  it 
would  be  hard  to  give  a  Scriptural  reason  for  their  exclusion. 
The  "  covenant,"  while  it  states  the  three  relations,  —  first 
to  God,  second  to  the  Redeemer,  and  third  to  each  other,  — 
leaves  unnoticed  those  specific  doctrines,  the  belief  in  which 
has  since  been  made  a  term  of  communion.  The  "  old-fash- 
ioned Arminianism,"  so  called,  seemed  to  be  the  form  of 
Christian  faith  extensively  embraced  by  our  ancestors.  The 
church  included  nearly  all  the  congregation,  so  far  as  heads 
of  families  were  concerned. 

We  conclude  these  inferences  with  a  few  words  concern- 
ing the  earliest  pastors  in  New  England. 


220  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Pastoral  visits  and  parochial  duties  must  have  been  peculiar 
when  a  clergyman  had  to  find  his  way  from  one  family  to 
another  by  marked  trees !  The  connection  between  the 
minister  and  people  was  deemed  as  indissoluble  as  the  mar- 
riage-tie. To  the  intelligence,  self-sacrifice,  and  piety  of 
these  men  of  God,  we  owe  that  church,  that  school,  and  that 
family  altar,  which  have  made  New  England  what  we  now 
behold  it.     Fides  probata  coronat. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Porter,  after  a  peaceful  and  valuable  minis- 
try of  nearly  nine  years,  died  at  his  post  of  duty,  Jan.  23, 
1722,  aged  thirty-three. 

Mr.  Porter  had  some  property  from  his  father.  There  is 
a  "  deed  of  fifty  or  sixty  acres  of  land,  with  a  wharf  and 
warehouse  thereon,  adjoining  the  river  in  Medforcl,  conveyed 
by  him,  Jan.  7,  1716,  to  Benjamin  "Wyman,  of  Obum,  malt- 
ster, for  seventy-five  pounds,  New  England  currency."  It 
was  acknowledged  before  Stephen  Sewall,  Esq.,  of  Salem, 
his  father-in-law ;  and  on  the  back  is  this  note :  "  Sold  to 
Stephen  Hall,  on  the  7th  of  June,  1739."  * 

We  regret  that  so  little  is  on  record  concerning  this  beloved 
minister  of  Christ.  With  respect  to  his  decease,  we  have  the 
two  following  records  :  — 

"1722,  Jan.  23:  The  reverend  minister  of  Meadford  dies,  Mr. 
Porter,  which  married  Unkle  Sewall's  daughter."  —  &  SeioaWs  MS. 

"  1722,  midweek,  Jan.  24 :  Just  ahout  sunset,  Mr.  Brattle  told 
me  that  Mr.  Aaron  Porter,  the  desirable  pastor  of  the  church  in 
Meadford,  was  dead  of  a  fever,  which  much  grieved  me."  —  Judge 
SeioaWs  Journal. 

In  the  burying-ground  is  a  marble  slab,  with  this  inscrip- 
tion :  "  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Rev.  Aaron  Porter,  the  first 
settled  minister  of  Medford." 

June  18,  1722 :  By  the  advice  of  the  President  and  Fel- 
lows of  Harvard  College,  the  town  held  a  fast,  to  seek  divine 
guidance  in  procuring  a  minister  ;  and  Rev.  Messrs.  Colman, 
Fox,  Hancock,  Brown,  and  Appleton  were  invited  to  conduct 
the  religious  exercises.  Thus,  after  the  death  of  their  first 
minister,  the  inhabitants  of  Medford  took  steps  to  supply 
their  pulpit  with  candidates  ;  and,  after  hearing  a  few,  they 
voted  (May  25,  1724)  "to  hear  Mr.  Turell  two  sabbaths,  and 
Mr.  Lowell  one  sabbath,  and  then  make  a  choice."  It  was 
usual  for  the  church  to  nominate  the  candidate,  and  for  the 
town  to  elect  him.  On  one  occasion,  the  Medford  church 
nominated  three  candidates  at  the  same  time.     Mr.  Nathaniel 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY. 


221 


Leonard  (H.  C.  1719)  was  chosen:  settlement,  one-  hundred 
pounds ;  salary,  eighty  pounds.  Mr.  Samuel  Dexter  was 
afterwards  chosen  on  the  same  terms.  Both  these  gentlemen 
declined.  Before  this  period,  however,  even  as  early  as  Oct. 
1,  1722,  the  town,  as  a  town,  passed  some  resolutions  which 
must  have  sounded  bold  to  English  ears.  "  Voted  that  they 
would  proceed  to  the  choice  of  a  minister  by  the  majority  of 
votes."  Regardless  of  the  church's  claim  to  two  votes,  here 
is  a  true  democracy  recognized ;  and  it  was  meant  to  look 
very  little  like  Episcopacy,  Presbyterianism,  or  Romanism. 

To  raise  money  by  contributions  in  the  meeting-house  on 
Sunday  was  very  common.  From  March  5,  1713,  to  Oct. 
19,  1718,  they  gathered  £27.  16s.  Sd.  From  Oct.  28,  1718, 
to  Aug.  2,  1721,  they  gathered  £15.  5s.  8d. 


REV.   EBENEZER  TURELL. 


«««  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

This  gentleman  was  a  native  of  Boston,  born  1701,  and 
graduated  at  Harvard  College  1721.  He  studied  his  pro- 
fession with  Rev.  Benjamin  Colman,  of  Boston ;  and  on  the 
17th  June,  1724,  the  .Selectmen  of  Medford  having  appointed 
that  day  for  a  town-fast,  Mr.  Colman  preached  a  fitting  ser- 
mon from  these  words  :  "  And  when  the  day  of  Pentecost 
was  fully  come,  they  were  all  with  one  accord  in  one  place." 
After  this  preparatory  service,  the  town  proceeded  to  elect, 
unanimously,  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Turell  to  be  their  pastor 
and  teacher,  —  a  hundred  pounds  settlement,  and  ninety 
pounds  salary,  and  strangers'  money,  to  be  paid  semi-annually. 
To  this  invitation  Mr.  Turell  returned  the  following  answer, 
dated  Aug.  31,  1724:  — 

"  Forasmuch  as  the  God  of  the  spirits  of  all  flesh  (upon  our  seek- 
ing unto  him  by  prayer  and  fasting)  has  inclined  your  hearts  to 
elect  and  call  me,  who  am  less  than  the  least  of  all  saints,  and 
unworthy  the  name  of  a  teacher  of  Christ,  to  settle  with  you  in  the 
work  of  the  evangelical  ministry,  I  thought  myself  in  duty  bound 
to  take  this  weighty  and  important  call  into  my  most  serious  and 
religious  consideration ;  and,  in  the  first  place,  to  look  up  to  hea- 
ven unto  that  God  who  is  wonderful  in  council  as  well  as  excellent 
in  working,  for  his  gracious  assistance,  direction,  conduct,  and  bless- 
ing ;  and,  in  the  next  place,  to  apply  myself  unto  the  servants  of 
God,  together  with  my  Christian  friends,  for  counsel  and  advice  in 
this  important  affair ;  which,  accordingly,  I  have  done  with  what  of 
sincerity  and  humility  the  grace  of  God  has  afforded  me.  I  do, 
therefore,  in  the  first  place,  offer  my  unfeigned  thanks  unto  Almighty 
God  for  his  gracious  assistances  vouchsafed  unto  me,  and  for  the 
kind  acceptance  he  has  granted  me  with  his  people,  that  he  has  so 
far  inclined  me  to  take  up  the  cross,  and  follow  a  glorious  Saviour 
in  the  arduous  and  honorable  employment  of  the  gospel  ministry. 
I  desire,  likewise,  thankfully  to  receive  the  respect  which  you,  the 
church  and  congregation  of  Medford,  have  put  upon  me  in  your  late 
elections  and  invitations.  I  hope  I  am  not  altogether  insensible  of 
the  sacredness  of  the  office,  of  the  importance  and  difficulty  of  the 
employments  of  a  minister  of  Christ ;  and  therefore  I  would  not 
undertake  it  with  carnal  and  worldly  views,  as  a  trade  to  live  by, 
or  with  a  prospect  of  advancing  my  worldly  circumstances,  but,  I 
hope  and  trust,  with  an  eye  to  the  honor  of  Christ  and  the  good  of 
immortal  souls,  to  demolish  Satan's  kingdom,  and  to  advance  the 
kingdom  of  God  in  the  hearts  and  lives  of  men,  which  are  the  great 
ends  which  are  chiefly  and  principally  to  be  looked  at  and  aimed  at 
in  the  whole  business  of  a  minister,  and  which  I  would  count  my 
highest  honor  and  ambition  to  attain. 

"  lhit  then  it  is  not  altogether  improper,  but  necessary,  for  a  minis- 
ter of  Christ  to  see  to  it  that  he  has  a  comfortable  subsistence  and 


ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY.  223 


maintenance  afforded  unto  him,  whereby  he  may  uphold  the  dig- 
nity of  the  ministerial  functions,  and  comply  with  the  apostolical 
precepts  in  the  gospel  relating  to  his  carriage  and  behavior :  which 
leads  me  to  consider  the  offers  you  make  me  for  my  support  and 
comfortable  living  amongst  you.  To  which  I  would  make  this 
answer,  and  reply :  First,  that  the  one  hundred  pounds  you  offer 
me  for  my  settlement,  I  do  accept ;  secondly,  that  the  ninety  pounds' 
you  have  voted  me  for  my  year's  salary,  when  made  one  hundred 
pounds,  I  do  accept ;  thirdly,  the  strangers'  money,  or  the  weekly 
contributions,  I  do  for  the  present  accept ;  but,  in  case  many  of 
those  whom  you  now  call  strangers  become  inhabitants,  by  a  grant 
of  the  adjacent  lands  to  the  town  of  Medford,  or  any  other  way  be 
obliged  to  rates  unto  the  ministry  of  said  town,  —  I  say,  in  case  it 
should  be  so  ordered  in  the  methods  of  Providence,  I  shall  expect  a 
rational  proportion  or  allowance.  Things  being  thus  ordered,  T  do 
manifest  my  acceptance  of  your  call  to  the  work  of  the  ministry ; 
earnestly  beseeching  your  ardent  and  fervent  prayers  to  Almighty 
God  for  me,  that  he  would  more  and  more  prepare  me  for,  incline 
me  unto,  and  strengthen,  assist,  and  enable  me  in,  the  work  where- 
unto  he  has  called  me  ;  that,  in  whatsoever  part  of  God's  vineyard  I 
may  be  called  to  labor  in  the  same,  I  may  be  faithful  and  successful, 
preaching  not  myself,  but  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord. 

"  And  now  I  commend  you  all  unto  the  divine  grace,  conduct,  and 
blessing,  entreating  that  the  God  of  peace  and  of  love  would  dwell 
among  you ;  that  his  glorious  kingdom  may  be  advanced  in  and  by 
you ;  that  the  Father  of  lights  and  of  mercy  would  bestow  upon 
you  every  good  and  every  perfect  gift ;  that  in  this  world  you  may 
live  a  life,  a  faith,  and  holiness,  and  at  last  stand  perfect  and  com- 
plete in  the  whole  will  of  God,  obtaining  the  reward  of  your 
faithful  services,  —  even  a  crown  of  glory  that  shall  never  fade 
away,  through  Jesus  Christ.     Amen.       Yours  to  serve, 

«  E.  TURELL." 

"  Sept.  19,  1724 :  This  answer  was  considered,  accepted, 
and  fully  complied  withal  by  the  church  and  town."  Twenty 
pounds  were  voted  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  ordination, 
and  ten  pounds  voted  as  additional  salary,  —  making  it  one 
hundred  pounds  per  annum. 

The  record  of  his  ordination  we  have  in  Mr.  Turell's  own 
hand,  thus  :  — 

"  Nov.  25,  1724:  This  day  was  set  apart  as  a  day  of  fasting  and 
prayer,  in  order  to  separate  and  ordain  me  to  the  ministerial  office. 
The  reverend  elders  sent  to  assist  in  the  solemn  action  were  the  fol- 
lowing ;  viz.,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Cotton  Mather,  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Han- 
cock, the  Rev.  Mr.  Benjamin  Colman,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Simon 
Bradstreet,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Richard  Brown,  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Fox, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Nathaniel  Appleton,  the  Rev.  Mr.  William  Cooper, 


224  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

the  Rev.  Mr.  Joshua  Gee,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Joseph  Emerson,  and  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Hull  Abbot.  Four  of  these  reverend  elders  were  absent ; 
scil.,  the  Rev.  Dr.  C.  Mather,  the  Rev.  S.  Bradstreet,  the  Rev.  R. 
Brown,  and  the  Rev.  J.  Fox.  The  rest,  being  present,  at  the  house  of 
Brother  John  Bradshaw,  formed  themselves  into  a  council,  and,  hav- 
ing distributed  the  several  parts  of  the  work,  went  to  the  place  of  pub- 
lic worship,  where  the  Rev.  Mr.  William  Cooper  began  with  prayer. 
Prayer  being  ended,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Benjamin  Colman  preached  an 
excellent  sermon  from  these  words,  Second  Corinthians  iv.  1 :  '  We, 
then,  as  workers  together  with  him,  beseech  you  also  that  ye  receive 
not  the  grace  of  God  in  vain.'  This  being  done,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Hancock  proceeded  to  ordination,  —  Mr.  Colman,  Mr.  Appleton,  and 
Mr.  Cooper  joining  in  the  imposition  of  hands.  After  this,  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Appleton  gave  me  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  We  then 
sung  the  first  part  of  the  sixty-eighth  Psalm ;  and  so  concluded  with 
giving  the  blessing." 

From  these  church  records,  we  learn  that  entire  unanimity 
prevailed  in  the  election  of  Mr.  Turell ;  which  is  another 
proof  of  the  pacific  and  useful  ministry  of  his  predecessor. 
We  do  not  find  any  examination  of  the  character  or  creed  of 
the  pastor  elect  by  the  ordaining  council,  nor  is  any  charge 
given  to  him  touching  doctrine  or  discipline.  Our  fathers 
seemed  to  rely  on  the  sufficiency  of  the  Scriptures,  and  the 
right  of  private  judgment. 

Thus  Medford  was  provided  with  its  second  minister  ;  and 
all  prospects  seemed  auspicious.  Very  few  events  of  an  extra- 
ordinary character  occurred  in  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Turell. 

In  order  to  procure  the  privilege  of  Christian  baptism  for 
their  children,  parents,  who  were  not  members  of  the  church, 
were  required  to  "  own  the  covenant,"  as  it  was  called ;  that 
is,  they  stood  up  in  the  midst  of  the  congregation,  on  Sunday, 
and  the  minister  asked  them  if  they  believed  the  Bible  to  be 
the  word  of  God,  and  would  promise  to  take  it  as  their  rule 
of  faith  and  practice.  If  they  answered  affirmatively,  then 
he  administered  baptism  to  them  or  their  children.  This 
order,  called  the  half-way  covenant,  was  established  in  the 
Medford  church  in  Mr.  Porter's  ministry,  and  was  re-affirmed 
Dec.  2,  1724. 

"Mr.  Thomas  Hall  was  chosen  deacon,  1726." 

"June  18,  1731 :  Mr.  Benjamin  Willis  was  chosen  deacon 
in  the  room  of  Brother  Thomas  Willis,  deceased." 

It  appears  from  the  church  records,  that  some  members 
wished  a  more  definite  rule  and  searching  scrutiny  respecting 
the  admission  of  communicants,  and  therefore  revived  the 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  225 

idea  of  a  "  hand-vote  "  in  the  church  on  each  case.     This  was 
discussed  in  a  special  meeting  ;  and  the  record  says  :  — 

"  April  8,  1743 :  Benjamin  Tufts's  petition  considered,  and  his 
request  denied  for  a  bandy-vote." 

Nov.  30,  ll-ii,  the  subject  was  again  discussed,  and  a  dif- 
ferent result  reached.  The  vote  of  July  20,  1714,  abolishing 
the  hand-vote,  was  modified  thus  :  Voted  "  that  the  reverend 
pastor  be  desired  to  call  for  an  handy-vote  at  the  admission 
of  members  for  the  future,  excepting  when  the  persons  to  be 
admitted  plead  that  they  are  in  opinion  or  judgment  for  a 
silential  vote."  This  step  backwards  in  church  discipline 
seemed  nullified  by  the  adroit  introduction  of  the  concluding 
proviso. 

"  May  9,  1755 :  Brothers  Samuel  Brooks  and  Jonathan  Brad- 
shaw  were  chosen  deacons,  unanimously.  Samuel  Brooks,  Esq., 
declined ;  Brother  Bradshaw  accepted. 

"Aug.  31,  1755 :  Received  a  folio  Bible  from  the  Hon.  T.  Royal, 
and  voted  thanks. 

"  1759  :  Voted  to  read  the  Scriptures  in  the  congregation." 

"What  reason  our  ancestors  could  give  for  not  reading  the 
word  of  God  in  the  sabbath  services,  we  cannot  imagine.  In 
1720,  Mr.  Holmes  says  :  — 

"  Why  this  practice  should  be  discontinued  by  any  of  the  disciples 
of  Jesus,  I  see  no  reason.  1  am  persuaded  it  cannot  be  alleged  to 
be  any  part  of  our  reformation  from  Popish  superstition." 

"  1759  :  Chose  Brother  Ebenezer  Brooks  a  deacon,  unanimously. 

"March  24,  1767  :  Brothers  Isaac  Warren  and  Samuel  Kidder 
were  chosen  deacons. 

"  March  7,  1763  :  Deacon  Benjamin  Willis,  Deacon  Jonathan 
Bradshaw,  Deacon  Ebenezer  Brooks,  Dr.  Simon  Tufts,  Captain 
Caleb  Brooks,  Stephen  Hall,  Esq.,  Samuel  Brooks,  Esq.,  Mr.  Sa- 
muel Angier,  and  Mr.  Hugh  Floyd,  were  chosen  a  Committee  to 
treat  with  Rev.  Mr.  Turell,  relating  to  the  singing  of  Tate  and 
Brady's  Version  of  the  Psalms  in  the  congregation,  instead  of  the 
common  version  now  sung,  and  are  to  make  report  at  the  next  May 
meeting." 

This  Committee  report  to  resign  Dunster's  version,  and  to 
adopt  Tate  and  Brady's. 

At  the  above  meeting,  a  Committee  was  chosen  to  prepare 
a  place  for  all  the  singers  to  sit  together  in  the  meeting- 
house ;  the  chorister  choosing  the  singers,  and  "  the  Select- 
men approbating  them." 

29 


&£b  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

"  Sept.  3,  1767 :  At  a  church  meeting,  the  brethren  unanimously 
agreed  to  sing  Dr.  Brady  and  Mr.  Tate's  version  of  the  Psalms  in 
the  forenoon  of  the  Lord's  Day  (only),  and  the  New  England  ver- 
sion in  the  afternoon,  for  six  months ;  and,  if  no  objection  shall  be 
made  to  it,  then  to  sing  Dr.  Brady  and  Mr.  Tate's  version  for  the 
future."  "April,  17,  1768:  No  objection  being  made,  we  began 
this  day  to  sing  them." 

These  few  copies  of  the  church  records  comprise  all  the 
facts  touching  the  action  of  the  Medford  church  during  Mr. 
TurelPs  ministry.  They  show  a  period  of  remarkable  peace, 
in  agreeable  contrast  with  the  sharp  divisions  of  an  earlier 
time.  The  following  facts,  gathered  from  various  sources, 
are  interesting,  as  they  show  us  the  ideas  and  conduct  of  our 
fathers. 

April  26,  1730 :  Mr.  Turell  preached  a  sensible  and  timely 
discourse  in  favor  of  inoculation  for  the  smallpox. 

Aug.  7,  1730  :  Catechism  day,  Friday,  Mr.  Turell  preached 
a  sermon  to  the  children,  after  he  had  questioned  each  one 
from  the  catechism.  This  annual  exercise,  or  rather  annual 
fright,  served  to  recommend  religion  to  the  young  much  as  a 
dose  of  medicine  foreshadowed  health. 

"March  5,  1739:  Captain  Ebenezer  Brooks,  Mr.  John 
Willis,  and  Mr.  Jonathan  Watson,  chosen  a  Committee  to 
report  what  is  necessary  to  be  done  to  Mr.  TurelPs  fences." 

When  the  Rev.  George  Whitefield,  of  England,  came  to 
this  country,  as  a  missionary  of  the  cross,  to  wake  up  the 
dead  churches,  and  pour  the  breath  of  life  into  the  clergy,  he 
spoke  as  one  who  had  authority  to  blow  the  trumpet  of  doom. 
He  returned  to  England,  in  1741,  for  a  visit,  but  left  behind 
him  followers  who  had  neither  his  wisdom,  nor  his  eloquence, 
nor  his  piety.  Against  these  preachers  many  good  men 
arrayed  themselves,  and  Mr.  Turell  among  the  rest.  He 
published,  1742,  a  pamphlet  called  "  A  Direction  to  my  Peo- 
ple in  Relation  to  the  Present  Times."  *  In  this  book,  he 
calls  on  his  people  to  distinguish  between  the  fervors  of  their 
excited  imaginations  and  the  still  small  voice  of  God's  effectual 
grace  ;  he  also  cautions  them  against  believing  in  multitudi- 
nous meetings  as  the  best  places  for  true  gospel  learning  and 
Christian  piety ;  he  furthermore  suggests  the  expediency  of 
not  narrating  their  religious  experiences,  for  fear  that  spiritual 
pride  will  take  the  place  of  humility  ;  he  openly  blames  those 
preachers  who  travel  about,  and,  without  being  asked,  go 
and  act  the  bishop  in  other  men's  dioceses.     In  this  pam- 


ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY.  227 

phlet,  Mr.  Turell  names  **  thirteen  particulars ; "  or,  in 
other  words,  objections  to  the  "new-light  movement."  The 
censorious  spirit ;  the  representing  assurance  to  be  the  essence 
of  saving  faith,  and  that,  without  this  assurance,  none  should 
come  to  the  Lord's  table  ;  the  false  witness  of  the  Spirit ;  the 
insecurity  of  dreams,  spiritual  visions,  and  impulses  ;  preach- 
ing without  study ;  esteeming  unconverted  ministers  as  use- 
less ;  the  preaching  and  praying  of  women  in  public ;  the 
want  of  decent  order  in  public  worship  ;  the  over-estimate  of 
sudden  light  and  comfort  in  the  soul ;  and  the  singing  of 
unauthorized  hymns  in  unauthorized  places,  —  all  these  are 
spoken  of  as  objectionable  features  in  the  Whitefield  regene- 
rating processes.  Mr.  Turell  expresses  an  ardent  zeal  in 
every  true  work  of  God's  Spirit,  and  as  jealous  a  caution 
against  every  counterfeit  work.  It  is  very  clear  that  the 
revival  times  woke  up  the  slumbering  energies  of  the  Med- 
ford  preacher,  and  caused  him  to  think  and  write  and  preach 
and  print  better  than  he  had  ever  done  before. 

His  pamphlet  called  out  a  sharp  and  well-reasoned  answer, 
under  this  title :  "  A  Letter  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Croswell  to 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Turell,  in  answer  to  his  Direction  to  his  Peo- 
ple. Boston,  1742."  He  takes  up  the  several  "  particulars  " 
in  order,  and,  in  many  of  them,  demolishes  Mr.  TurelPs  con- 
clusions ;  while,  in  others,  he  is  mastered  by  superior  force. 
Where  Mr.  Turell  objects  to  ministers  preaching  without 
notes,  Mr.  Croswell  replies,  and  says :  *'  The  more  any  of  us 
improve  in  the  divine  life,  the  less  paper  we  shall  want  in 
order  to  preach  the  gospel."  Mr.  Croswell  concludes  his 
reply  with  these  words  :  — 

"  I  look  upon  your  little  pamphlet  to  be  more  infectious  and  poi- 
sonous than  the  French  prophets,  'the  trial  of  Mr.  Whitefield's 
spirit,'  or  any  other  pamphlet  of  this  kind  we  have  been  infected 
with.  That  God  may  grant  repentance  to  you  for  writing  it,  and 
to  others  for  spreading  it  abroad,  especially  to  ministers  who  have 
given  them  about  in  their  own  parishes,  is  the  hearty  prayer  of  your 
well-wisher  and  humble  servant,  Andrew  Croswell." 

This  attack  and  others  moved  Mr.  Turell  to  further  expres- 
sions of  opinion ;  and  he  published,  in  1742,  another  pam- 
plet,  entitled  — 

"  Mr.  Turell's  Dialogue  between  a  Minister  and  his  Neighbor 
about  the  Times.  To  which  is  added,  An  Answer  to  Mr.  John  Lee's 
Remarks  on  a  Passage  in  the  Preface  of  his  Direction  to  his 
People,  &c." 


228  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

This  pamphlet  is  written  with  more  care  than  the  first, 
and  in  a  sweeter  spirit.  The  Neighbor  is  made  to  ask  all  the 
important  questions  touching  the  great  issues  then  before 
the  community,  and  the  Minister  sets  himself  to  answer 
methodically  every  inquiry.     In  his  preface,  he  says  :  — 

"  I  have  cast  the  discourse  into  this  dialogistical  mould  to  render 
it  more  agreeable  to  the  lower  ranks  of  men,  for  whose  benefit  it  is 
chiefly  designed." 

It  defines  what  is  a  true  work  of  God's  grace,  and  what 
are  the  proofs  of  it,  and  then  contrasts  these  with  the  coun- 
terfeit exhibitions.  Speaking  of  the  mental  agonies  of 
some  persons  under  conviction,  he  says :  "  Distraction,  or  a 
deprivation  of  reason,  is  far  from  being  serviceable  to  reli- 
gion." Of  the  spiritual  manifestations  of  those  days,  he 
speaks  under  the  heads  of  dreams,  visions,  and  impulses ;  and 
he  says  :  - — 

"  I  have  shown  my  dislike  of  them,  because  all  such  things  evi- 
dently lead  us  from  the  word  of  God,  the  only  rule  by  which  we  can 
judge  of  this  work  or  of  our  own  state.  I  see  no  reason  why  we 
should  look  for  such  things  under  the  present  dispensation.  I  have 
ever  taught  you  that  the  Bible  is  a  perfect  rule  of  faith  and  man- 
ners, —  a  more  sure  word  of  prophecy.  We  are  safe  while  we  adhere 
to  it ;  but  we  know  not  into  whose  hands  we  fall  when  we  give  heed 
to  fancies  and  impressions." 

He  also  speaks  of  sudden  screamings  and  raptures,  and 
says : — 

"  Some  of  the  first  screamings  in  these  parts  on  the  sabbath  were 
under  my  preaching,  and  they  have  been  repeated  ;  but,  Mr.  Henry 
says,  Satan  gets  possession  by  the  senses  and  passions,  Christ  by 
the  understanding." 

He  writes  with  warmth  against  itinerant  preachers  going, 
unasked,  to  hold  meetings  in  other  ministers'  parishes. 
Against  the  public  preaching  of  women  he  quotes  those 
emphatic  texts  of  St.  Paul ;  and  against  l(  hymns  of  human 
composition  "  is  very  severe.  He  does  not  speak  ill  of  our 
poet-laureate  of  the  church,  Dr.  Watts ;  but  thinks  that 
"  mere  human  composures  "  may  introduce  heresy.  He  ends 
thus :  — 

"  Be  not  oifended  at  these  things,  or  prejudiced  against  the 
genuine  work  of  God,  from  disorders  and  irregularities  that  arise 
among  us :  be  sure  to  put  in  for  a  share  of  the  spiritual  blessings 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  229 

so  liberally  bestowed  at  tbis  day.  Give  yourself  to  prayer,  to  read- 
ing and  hearing  the  word,  to  meditation,  self-examination;  and  let 
nothing  satisfy  you  short  of  a  whole  Christ  and  a  whole  salvation. 
The  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  be  with  you." 

Feb.  5,  1743  :  Mr.  Turell  preached  a  strong  sermon 
against  the  Separatists,  from  Isa.  xlix.  4.  William  Hall 
and  wife  walked  out  of  the  meeting-house  during  the  delivery 
of  the  sermon  ;  whereupon  Mr.  Turell,  before  the  congrega- 
tion, immediately  pronounced  Mrs.  Hall  a  Separatist.  If  the 
preacher  knew  that  Mrs.  Hall  was  the  Eve  in  this  obliquity, 
he  showed  his  sense  in  not  blaming  her  husband.  This 
insurrectionary  movement  disclosed  two  things :  first,  that 
Mr,  Turell  fearlessly  preached  what  he  thought  was  needed 
by  the  times  ;  and,  secondly,  that  some  people  did  not  pin 
their  faith  upon  their  minister's  sleeve,  but  thought  for  them- 
selves, and  acted  accordingly.  We  can  imagine  how  much 
raw  wonder  and  sly  surmise  an  event  of  this  kind  must  have 
awakened  in  some  quarters.  On  this  account,  Mr.  Turell, 
on  the  next  Sunday,  preached  the  two  sermons  he  first 
preached  in  Medford ;  and,  on  the  succeeding  Sunday,  he 
repeated  the  two  sermons  he  preached  immediately  after  his 
ordination,  nineteen  years  before.  In  these  discourses, 
doubtless,  were  found  ample  vindications  of  the  extraordinary 
course  he  had  pursued. 

Mr.  Turell  wrote  against  witchcraft,  and  his  printed  pam- 
phlet (Hist.  Col.,  2d  series,  vol.  x.  p.  6)  contains  statements 
sufficiently  marvellous  and  revolting.  The  opinions  and 
feelings  of  the  writer  may  be  best  gathered  from  his  "  intro- 
duction."    It  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  Although  I  am  as  far  as  any  one  from  holding  or  maintaining 
the  doctrine  of  the  Sadducees,  and  firmly  believe  the  existence  of 
spirits,  an  invisible  world,  and  particularly  the  agency  of  Satan  and 
his  instruments  in  afflicting  and  tormenting  the  children  of  men 
(when  permitted  by  God)  ;  yet  I  fear  the  world  has  been  wretchedly 
imposed  upon  by  relations  of  such  matters.  Tricks  and  legerdemain 
have  been  fathered  upon  Satan,  and  others  falsely  reputed  as  being 
in  covenant  with  him,  by  ignorant  and  designing  people,  in  which 
they  were  not  so  immediately  concerned.  Many  things  have  been 
dubbed  witchcraft,  and  called  the  works  of  the  devil,  which  were 
nothing  more  than  the  contrivances  of  the  children  of  men,  who  are 
wise  to  do  evil,  and  who,  upon  strict  examination,  might  have  been 
detected.  There  are  some  books  in  the  world,  filled  with  stories  of 
witchcrafts,  apparitions,  haunted  houses,  &c,  to  which  we  owe  no 
more  faith  than  to  the  tales  of  fairies  and  other  idle  romances. 


230  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Where  one  relation  is  exactly  according  to  truth,  there  are  two,  at 
least,  that  are  wholly  the  fruit  of  wild  imagination,  or  intolerably 
mixed  with  deceit  and  falsehood.  Hence  some  have  taken  occasion 
to  doubt  of,  and  deny  the  existence  of,  spirits  and  an  invisible 
world ;  and  others,  to  turn  all  that  wise  men  say  or  write  about 
them  into  ridicule.  'Tis  a  pity  the  world  has  been  so  credulous, 
and  furnished  these  sceptics  with  matters  to  make  sport  of.  At  the 
same  time,  it  is  a  thing  horrid  to  think  of,  that  we  should  be  imposed 
upon  by  false  relations,  and  our  understandings  daily  affronted  by 
lies.  It  certainly  would  have  been  a  singular  kindness,  if  those  who 
have  been  instrumental  in  detecting  falsehoods  of  this  nature,  espe- 
cially causes  of  pretended  witchcraft,  had  been  careful,  and  had  taken 
and  emitted  authentic  accounts  of  them,  from  time  to  time,  which 
might  have  proved  an  happy  means  of  preventing  the  like,  or  stop- 
ping the  progress.  When  I  consider  this,  and  what  every  one  owes 
to  his  own  generation  and  to  posterity,  I  reckon  myself  obliged  to 
offer  a  story,  full  of  remarkable  circumstances,  which  was  the  subject 
of  much  discourse  and  debate  in  the  day  of  it,  and  has  lately,  by  the 
wonderful  providence  of  God  and  his  most  powerful  mercy,  been 
brought  to  light,  and  unfolded.  I  trust  it  may  be  of  some  service 
to  the  world,  and  therefore  commend  it  to  the  divine  blessing. 

"  E.  T." 

The  book  relates,  minutely,  the  strange  actions  of  two  sis- 
ters, who  wished  to  be  considered  witches,  and  who  were 
sufficiently  successful  in  feints  and  falsehoods  to  gain  general 
credence  of  their  claim's.  They  lived  at  Littleton,  and, 
after  being  discovered,  refuted,  and  exposed,  came  to  Med- 
ford.     Here  they  conducted  well,  and  all  witchery  was  over. 

Sept.  14,  1728,  the  eldest,  E h,  asked  admission  to  the 

church.  Her  history  was  not  known,  and  she  was  "pro- 
pounded." The  next  Sunday  Mr.  Turell  preached  on 
lying ;  and  so  graphically  did  he  depict  her  former  habits  in 
this  respect,  that  she  was  conscience-smitten,  and  came  to 
him  immediately  and  made  confession  of  the  whole.  Her 
narrative  is  very  interesting,  and  her  penitence  seemed  to 
be  sincere.  Mr.  Turell  required  her  to  make  public  confes- 
sion of  her  sin  before  the  church,  and  then  to  refer  her  case 
to  the  brethren.  She  made  the  public  confession,  assuring 
them  of  her  sincere  repentance,  and  her  resolution  to  walk 
worthily  of  the  holy  vocation  she  now  promised  to  adopt. 
The  church  believed  in  her  sincerity ;  and  she  was  admitted 
to  full  communion,  and  proved  herself  a  humble,  devout, 
and  accepted  follower  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

At  the  close  of  the  pamphlet,  Mr.  Turell  gives  two  pages 
of  excellent  counsel  to  the  churches,  to  parents  and  children, 


ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY.  231 

and   to   all  very   susceptible   temperaments.     Among   other 
things,  he  says  :  — 

"  Truth  is  the  food  of  an  immortal  soul.  Feed  not  any  longer  on 
tlir  fabulous  husks  of  falsehood.  Never  use  any  of  the  devil's  play- 
things. The  horse-shoe  is  a  vain  thing,  and  has  no  natural  ten- 
dency to  keep  off  witches  or  evil  spirits.  Be  warned  against  all 
such  trading  with  the  devil." 

Although  this  form  of  evil  has  passed  away,  we  have  not 
got  rid  of  the  thing  itself.  In  modern  guises,  we  have  witches 
who  carry  their  divining  hazel ;  and  we  have  demons,  with 
Beelzebub  to  preside. 

June  3,  1744  :  A  violent  earthquake  occurred  on  this  day 
(Sunday).  "  It  came,"  says  Mr.  Seccomb,  "  when  the  first 
morning  prayer  was  about  half  done.  The  people  wrere  much 
surprised ;  many  screeched,  and  many  ran  out  of  meeting ; 
and  Mr.  Turell  left  off  prayer  until  it  was  over,  and  the  peo- 
ple a  little  composed ;  and  then  he  began  again,  and  finished 
the  exercise."  We  are  not  surprised  at  the  deep  agitation  of 
the  assembly,  who  probably  believed  that  such  extraordinary 
manifestations  of  natural  laws  were  special  interpositions  of  a 
vindictive  Providence.     We  like  their  finishing  the  service. 

Sept.  23,  1744 :  Mr.  Turell  preached  two  sermons  from 
Second  Corinthians  ii.  11,  "because  Ebenezer  Francis 
allowed  one  Adams,  a  roving  preacher,  to  come  and  preach 
at  his  house,  against  the  will  of  Mr.  Turell  and  a  great  num- 
ber of  the  brethren,  who  are  much  offended  at  him  and  his 
preaching,  now  and  heretofore."  We  are  a  little  surprised 
at  a  result  of  this  event,  mentioned  in  the  record  that  follows 
the  notice  ;  viz.,  "  The  sacrament  was  put  off  on  this  ac- 
count."    Was  this  event  greater  than  the  earthquake  ? 

From  1730  to  1750,  there  were,  on  an  average,  from 
twenty-five  to  thirty  baptisms  in  each  year.  From  ten  to 
twenty  persons  annually  joined  the  church.  In  the  year 
1747,  there  was  no  one  admitted;  and  this  forms  the  one 
exception  in  Mr.  Turell's  ministry. 

In  1747,  a,  female  sexton  was  chosen  to  ring  the  bell  and 
sweep  the  meeting-house.  Salary,  twenty-two  pounds  (old 
tenor)  per  annum. 

Of  church-members,  63  are  male,  87  female,  residing  in 
Medford;  occasional,  15:  total,  165. 

"  May  18,  1774  :  Voted  that  Mr.  Turell  should  have  three  hun- 


LZ6Z  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

dred  pounds  (old  tenor)  as  annual  salary,  In  order  to  make  his  salary 
now  equal  to  what  it  was  when  he  settled  among  us." 

May  15,  1749  :  Mr.  Turell's  salary  was  raised  to  five  hun- 
dred pounds  (old  tenor).  These  votes  reveal  the  perilous 
changes  in  the  value  of  money,  which  then  so  perplexed  and 
distressed  the  colonies.  It  made  it  necessary  to  vote  the 
minister's  salary  each  year :  accordingly,  in  1751,  we  find  the 
salary  stated  in  the  new,  or,  as  it  was  sometimes  called,  the 
middle  tenor,  £73.  6s.  Sd. 

It  was  the  custom  of  those  days  to  introduce  domestic  joys 
and  sorrows  into  the  pulpit.  A  slave,  named  Sharper,  and 
owned  by  Mr.  Turell,  was  very  ill,  and  his  master  preached 
on  the  Sabbath  from  these  words  :  "  My  servant  lieth  at 
home  sick."  Sharper  died  just  as  the  sermon  was  ended. 
When  Mr.  Turell  wooed  and  won  the  beautiful  Miss  Jane 
Colman,  daughter  of  Rev.  Dr.  Colman,  of  Boston,  whose 
graceful  form  and  brilliant  eye  allured  one's  attention  from 
the  exceeding  brunette  in  her  complexion,  he  preached  on 
the  first  Sabbath  after  his  marriage  from  this  text :  Cant, 
i.  5  :  "I  am  black,  but  comely,  O  ye  daughters  of  Jerusa- 
lem." Mr.  Turell  lost  the  children  he  had  by  his  first 
wife.  His  second  wife  was  Miss  Lucy  Dudley,  by  whom  he 
had  no  children ;  and  his  third  wife  was  Mrs.  Devenport. 
He  died  childless.  On  the  occasion  of  his  "  publishment  " 
to  Mrs.  Devenport,  Sept.  28,  1735,  he  preached  from  Cant.  iii. 
3:  "Saw  ye  him  (her)  whom  my  soul  loveth?"  On  the 
Sabbath  after  his  marriage,  he  preached  from  Cant.  v.  16 : 
"  He  (she)  is  altogether  lovely.  This  is  my  beloved  and  this 
is  my  friend,  O  daughters  of  Jerusalem."  Mr.  Turell  was 
not  more  fond  of  good  company,  good  wine,  and  good  din- 
ners, than  most  people  of  his  day ;  and  to  them  it  did  not 
seem  strange  that  he  should  preach  from  Cant.  v.  1  : 
"  Eat,  O  friends  ;  drink,  yea,  drink  abundantly,  O  beloved." 
Among  the  preachers  of  that  time,  there  was  some  rivalship 
of  ingenuity  in  extracting  godly  morals  and  even  Christian 
doctrines  from  Solomon's  epithalamium.  It  is  true  that  rich 
jewels  are  sometimes  found  in  very  unpromising  places. 
Mrs.  Turell,  whose  poetic  invitation  to  the  country,  like 
Horace's,  speaks  of  motives,  has  these  lines  :  — 

"  To  please  the  taste,  no  rich  Burgundian  wine 
In  crystal  glasses  on  my  sidehoard  shine ; 
No  wine,  but  what  does  from  my  apples  flow, 
My  frugal  house  on  any  can  bestow." 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  233 

Mr.  Turcll  was  not  pleased  with  the  conduct  of  the  popular 
Whitefield,  and  did  not  scruple  to  say  so.  Mr.  Turell  Tufts, 
son  of  Dr.  Simon  Tufts,  writes  thus  concerning  this  sub- 
ject :  — 

"  There  were  some  zealots  in  Medford,  who  were  desirous  that 
their  minister  should  invite  Mr.  Whitefield  to  preach  in  his  pulpit ; 
but  he  opposed  it  strongly ;  and,  to  justify  himself,  he  preached  a 
sermon  from  this  text :  '  I  will  magnify  my  office.'  And  I  remem- 
ber, on  a  day  when  Drs.  Thatcher  and  Osgood  dined  with  my 
father,  he  read  some  striking  passages  to  them  from  that  sermon  ; 
and  they  said  that  it  was  probably  the  best  sermon  that  Mr.  Turell 
ever  delivered." 

When  Mr.  Turell  was  ill,  Mr.  Whitefield  did  get  into  his 
pulpit.  Oct.  7,  1770,  Mr.  Turell  preached  a  sermon  on  the 
death  of  Mr.  Whitefield,  from  this  text :  "  Verily,  every  man 
at  his  best  estate  is  altogether  vanity." 

April  18,  1768  :  The  number  of  church-members  was  49 
males,  and  74  females  ;  total,  123. 

March  7,  1774:  "Voted,  that  the  singers  have  the  two 
hind  seats  of  the  women's  seats  below ; "  and  the  Committee 
shall  designate  who  shall  occupy  said  seats. 

May  20,  1776  :  a  Voted,  that  the  singers  have  one-half  of 
the  three  front  seats  in  the  women's  gallery,  next  to  the 
women." 

Age,  with  its  accompaniments,  gathered  upon  the  pastor ; 
and  he  was  frequently  obliged  to  ask  assistance  from  the 
young  preachers  of  the  college,  who  cheerfully  bestowed  the 
"  labor  of  love."  As  he  was  known  to  possess  some  pro- 
perty, the  town  voted  the  annual  salary  of  £80  with  less  zeal 
than  they  should.  May  14,  1772,  the  vote  stood  18  yeas, 
and  14  nays  ;  but,  as  Mr.  Turell  was  unwell,  they  voted  £50 
to  supply  the  pulpit.  May  24,  1773  :  Mr.  Turell  continues 
sick,  and  the  following  is  "  Voted,  unanimously,  to  grant  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Turell  the  sum  of  £66.  13s.  4d.,  annually,  for  his 
salary  during  his  continuance  in  the  ministry  in  said  town." 

In  September,  1774,  he  received  a  colleague,  on  whom  the 
chief  labor  devolved,  and  for  four  years  enjoyed  his  release 
from  ministerial  anxieties.  On  the  5th  December,  1778,  he 
died  of  old  age,  having  reached  the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his 
life,  and  the  fifty-fourth  of  his  ministry.  He  was  buried  on  the 
8th.  "  Mr.  Lawrence  prayed  ;  the  President  of  Harvard  Col- 
lege, Rev.  Mr.  Cushing,  Rev.  Mr.  Clark,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Wood- 
ward, bore  the  pall."     The  following  Sunday,  Mr.  Osgood 


234  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

preached  an  appropriate  sermon.  Thus  died  a  clergyman  and 
pastor  who  had  preached  in  all  the  meeting-houses  which  had 
been  built  in  Medford,  from  the  first  settlement  of  the  town 
to  the  year  1824  !  He  kept  no  record  of  deaths.  He  baptized 
1,037  persons  ;  married  220  couple ;  and  admitted  to  the 
church  323  communicants. 

Some  further  light  may  be  shed  on  the  character  of  Mr. 
Turell  by  a  few  extracts  from  his  wills.  One  will  is  dated 
Oct.  8,  1758  ;  another,  in  1762 ;  and  a  third,  in  1764.  He 
shows  sound  judgment,  kind  affections,  and  Christian  justice, 
in  his  bequests. 

His  dwelling-house,  which  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by 
Jonathan  Porter,  Esq.,  he  gave  to  the  church  in  Medford, 
"  for  the  use  of  the  ministry  for  ever."  He  gave  his  "  largest 
silver  tankard,  and  a  silver  spoon^  which  has  a  lion's  head 
engraved  on  it,  to  the  church  in  Medford."  He  gave  "  to 
Madam  Elizabeth  Royal,  and  Peter  Chardon,  Esq.,  each  a 
mourning  ring." 

"  I  give  to  Mrs.  Lucy  Tufts  her  aunt  TurelPs  picture. 

"  I  give  to  Mr.  Faneuil,  and  Mrs.  Hatch,  their  grandfather's 
and  grandmother's  pictures. 

"  I  give  to  Harvard  College  the  learned  Dr.  Isaac  Barrow's 
work,  in  three  vols.,  folio  ;  my  fine  loadstone,  set  in  silver ;  and  my 
bunch  or  brush  of  spun  glass. 

"  Item.  My  good  servant  "Worcester,  —  I  give  him  his  freedom, 
and  discharge  him  from  any  demands  of  my  heirs  or  executors  on 
account  of  his  being  a  slave  ;  and  order  my  executor  to  reserve  in 
his  hands  £50,  sterling,  to  and  for  the  use  of  my  said  servant,  if  he 
should  be  unable  to  support  himself;  the  same  to  be  given  him  at 
the  discretion  of  my  said  executor." 

When  the  town  determined  to  set  the  meeting-house  where 
it  was  built  in  1769,  Mr.  Turell  remonstrated.  He  wished 
it  placed  beside  the  old  one.  He  accordingly  erased  from  his 
will  the  section  in  which  he  had  given  his  dwelling-house  to 
the  town ! 

The  system  of  "  exchanges,"  by  which  neighboring  minis- 
ters preached  in  each  other's  pulpits,  was  in  full  activity  dur- 
ing Mr.  Turell's  ministry ;  and  the  Medford  church  was 
instructed  occasionally  by  Eev.  Messrs.  Colman,  Cooper, 
Gardner,  and  Byles,  of  Boston ;  Prince,  Warren,  and  Clapp, 
of  Cambridge  ;  Stimson,  of  Charlestown  ;  Coolidge,  of  Water- 
town  ;  Flagg,  of  Woburn ;  Lowell  and  Tufts,  of  Newbury ; 
Parkman,  of  Westbury ;   Parsons,  of  Bradford ;   and  many 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  235 

more.  This  wide  connection  in  ministerial  brotherhood 
shows  Mr.  Turell  to  have  enjoyed  the  respect  and  esteem  of 
the  clergy,  as  well  as  the  approbation  and  confidence  of  the 
churches.  President  Allen,  in  his  Biographical  Dictionary, 
speaks  of  him  thus  :  — 

"  He  was  an  eminent  preacher,  of  a  ready  invention,  a  correct 
judgment,  and  fervent  devotion,  who  delivered  divine  truth  with 
animation,  and  maintained  discipline  in  his  church  with  boldness 
tempered  by  prudence." 

An  anecdote  is  told  of  him,  which  may  mean  much  or  lit- 
tle. It  was  reported  that  Mr.  Whitefield  was  to  preach  in 
Medford  the  next  sabbath.  A  man  from  Maiden  came,  and 
took  his  seat  in  the  meeting-house.  He  thought  he  was 
listening  to  the  wonderful  preacher,  and  went  into  corre- 
sponding raptures.  For  a  week  he  praised  "  the  unpa- 
ralleled," and  then  learned  that  he  had  listened  to  Mr. 
Turell. 

We  do  not  suppose  that  Mr  Turell  was  one  of  those  men 
who  can  make  ice  perform  the  offices  of  fire  ;  nor  was  such  a 
man  then  needed  in  Medford.  In  his  intercourse  with  his 
people,  he  was  kind-hearted,  social,  and  dignified.  There 
was  about  him  a  morning  freshness  which  was  very  agree- 
able. At  home,  he  was  hospitable  and  generous  ;  a  lover  of 
anecdotes,  even  when  they  related  to  his  own  personal  beauty, 
which  was  remarkable.  As  a  preacher,  he  was  clear,  direct, 
and  scriptural ;  following  the  habit  of  that  day,  which  was  to 
amass  texts  from  Scripture  in  proof  of  Christian  doctrine  and 
useful  morals.  The  unflinching  directness  of  the  following 
is  more  apparent  than  its  classic  taste.  He  was  preaching 
on  selfishness ;  and,  after  designating  certain  people,  he 
said :  — 

"  They  are  so  selfish,  that,  if  their  neighbor's  barn  was  on  fire, 
they  would  not  lift  a  finger  to  extinguish  the  flames,  if  they  could 
only  roast  their  own  apples." 

In  his  theological  sentiments,  he  sometimes  revolved 
round  the  Assembly's  Catechism,  and  believed  that  he  was 
thus  revolving  round  the  Bible.  A  parishioner  of  his,  who 
had  moved  into  the  country,  where  no  stated  sabbath  exercises 
and  worship  could  be  enjoyed,  wrote  to  Mr.  Turell  (1760), 
lamenting  his  absence  from  public  worship  and  the  use  of 
Christian  means.  Mr.  Turell  writes  a  very  good  letter,  in 
which  he  says  to  him  :  "  You  have  your  Bible,  which  contains 


236 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


all  things  necessary  for  salvation."  His  ministry  gave  content- 
ment to  his  people,  and  passed  away  like  the  seasons,  show- 
ing bloom,  growth,  and  fruitage,  without  noise  or  record. 

His  printed  compositions  are  few.  We  have  seen  his 
biographical  notice  of  his  first  wife,  Mrs.  Jane  Colman 
Turell ;  and  it  gives  evidence  of  his  just  appreciation  of  a 
most  interesting  woman  in  the  family  and  a  pious  member  of 
the  church.  His  sketch  of  his  father-in-law,  Dr.  Colman,  is 
a  labored  and  successful  eulogy  of  every  quality  in  the 
deceased  which  could  ornament  a  man  or  sanctify  a  preacher. 
The  manuscript  sermons  which  have  escaped  destruction  are 
chiefly  amplifications  of  texts  which  pertained  to  his  theme, 
ending  with  the  accustomed  "  improvement,"  which  was  a 
practical  application  of  his  doctrine  to  the  hearts  and  lives  of 
his  audience. 


REV.  DAVID   OSGOOD,  D.D. 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  237 

The  third  minister  of  Medford  was  born  in  the  south-west 
part  of  Andover,  within  half  a  mile  of  the  Tewksbury  line. 
His  father,  Captain  Isaac  Osgood,  who  lived  to  an  advanced 
age,  was  born  upon  and  occupied  the  same  farm  which  had 
been  owned  and  cultivated  by  his  father  before  him,  Mr. 
Stephen  Osgood,  who  belonged  originally  to  the  north  parish 
in  Andover.  David,  the  oldest  of  Captain  Isaac  Osgood's  four 
sons,  was  born  October,  1747.  His  mother's  maiden  name 
was  Elizabeth  Flint ;  and  she  was  the  daughter  of  a  respecta- 
ble farmer  in  the  neighboring  town  of  Reading.  She  was  a 
great  invalid ;  and  no  tradition  remains  of  her  having  exer- 
cised any  leading  influence  over  the  characters  of  her  sons, 
all  of  whom  were  men  of  more  than  common  intellectual 
endowments.  David  assiduously  labored  with  his  father  on 
the  farm  until  the  age  of  nineteen,  when  he  began  to  direct 
his  studies  with  reference  to  a  collegiate  education.  In  these 
studies  he  was  guided  and  helped  by  Rev.  Mr.  Emerson,  of 
Holliston.  Like  most  young  men  of  that  day,  he  taught  a 
school  as  a  means  of  support,  and  entered  Harvard  College, 
in  1767,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one.  His  age  gave  him  great 
advantage  in  mastering  the  more  difficult  studies,  and  he 
sustained  a  high  rank  in  his  class.  His  predilections  for  the 
ministry  had  always  been  dominant ;  and,  immediately  after 
his  graduation,«he  commenced  the  study  of  divinity,  residing 
part  of  his  time  in  Cambridge,  and  part  in  Andover. 

March  10,  1774  :  On  this  day,  the  town  of  Medford  voted 
to  hear  Mr.  David  Osgood  as  a  candidate  for  settlement. 
This  proposal  was  accepted  ;  and  the  consequence  was  (April 
18,  1774)  an  invitation  from  the  church  and  the  town  to 
settle  as  colleague  pastor  with  Rev.  Ebenezer  Turell. 
There  were  sixty  yeas,  and  six  nays.  The  six  gentlemen 
(Simon  Tufts,  Thomas  Brooks,  jun.,  Edward  Brooks,  Samuel 
Angier,  Joshua  Simonds,  —  the  sixth  not  named)  opposed 
the  call  because  they  differed  from  the  candidate  in  their 
interpretation  of  Scripture ;  he  adopting  the  Calvinistic  doc- 
trine of  total  depravity,  and  they  taking  the  Arminian  view 
of  the  subject. 

The  Arminian  brethren  began  to  use  all  lawful  means  to 
prevent  the  acceptance  of  the  call.  They  addressed  a  letter 
to  the  pastor  elect,  May  4,  1774,  detailing  their  reasons  for 
opposing  him.  On  the  thirteenth  of  that  month,  he  sends 
his  refusal  of  the  invitation,  based,  as  he  says,  upon  "the 
quality  and  rank  of  my  present  opposers,  and   the   great 


238  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

weight  of  their  objections,"  &c.  This  letter  of  refusal  is 
written  with  power  and  feeling  ;  and  it  re-asserts  the  doctrine 
of  "  the  total  corruption  of  the  human  heart  by  nature,  pre- 
vious to  renovating  grace,  as  a  cardinal  point  in  revealed 
religion."  This  doctrine  the  Arminian  brethren  believed  to 
be  "  unscriptural,"  and  contended  that  it  makes  "  an  infinitely 
holy  God  the  efficient  cause  of  all  sin  in  his  creatures." 

The  town  did  not  resign  the  hope  of  settling  their  favorite 
candidate.  They  chose  a  Committee  to  consult  with  the  six 
dissentients  ;  and  the  Committee  performed  their  duty  kindly 
and  faithfully,  but  without  much  success.  June  9,  1774,  the 
church'  and  town  renew  their  invitation  to  Mr.  Osgood. 
Yeas,  67  ;  nays,  5.  Salary,  eighty  pounds  (lawful  money) 
during  Mr.  TurelPs  life,  and  ninety  pounds  afterwards.  The 
opponents  of  this  procedure  renew  their  efforts  to  prevent  the 
settlement;  and,  on  the  13th  July,  1774,  respectfully  ask 
the  town  to  call  an  ecclesiastical  council,  of  their  own  selec- 
tion, to  examine  the  theological  opinions  of  the  pastor  elect 
before  he  shall  give  his  answer  to  their  call.  This  request 
was  refused;  and,  July  23,  Mr.  Osgood  sends  his  letter  of 
acceptance.  Aug.  12,  the  dissatisfied  brethren  sent  a  com- 
munication to  the  church,  through  theii;aged  pastor,  declaring 
their  reasons  for  opposing  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Osgood,  and 
avowing  their  zeal  for  justice  and  peace.  They  then  propose 
a  mutual  council,  to  examine  Mr.  Osgood's  religious  opinions. 
At  a  church-meeting,  held  Aug.  16,  this  proposition  was 
debated,  and  voted  down.  At  the  same  meeting,  they  voted 
to  proceed  to  the  ordination,  and  agreed  to  invite  nine 
churches ;  those  in  Cambridge,  Charlestown,  Stoneham, 
Woburn,  Maiden,  and  Andover.  The  time  was  the  second 
Wednesday  in  September ;  and  these  words  are  a  part  of 
the  vote  :  a  The  day  to  be  kept  as  a  fast "  ! 

Sept.  5,  1774,  the  dissatisfied  brethren  sent  a  long  com- 
munication to  the  pastor  elect,  in  which  they  apprise  him  that 
they  have  resolved  to  oppose  his  ordination ;  and  they  send 
him  a  copy  of  statements  which  they  intend  to  make. 

On  the  morning  of  the  14th  September,  1774,  the  ordain- 
ing council  assembled  and  organized  in  full  numbers ; 
Rev.  Dr.  Appleton,  Moderator ;  and  Rev.  Mr.  Searl,  Scribe. 
After  the  usual  preliminary  exercises,  the  four  dissentients 
—  Thomas  Brooks,  jun.,  Edward  Brooks,  Samuel  Angier, 
and  Joshua  Simonds  —  presented  themselves  before  the 
council,  and  asked  to  be  heard.     They  stated  that  they  had 


ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY.  239 

grave  reasons  for  opposing  the  ordination  of  Mr.  David  Os- 
good, and  requested  permission  to  state  those  reasons.  They 
presented  a  paper  to  the  council ;  and  the  consequence  was, 
that  the  entire  day  was  painfully  occupied  in  debating  the 
vexed  questions.  Its  is  not  worth  while  to  trace  the  steps  of 
the  controversy,  but  to  let  the  result  of  the  council  be  a  suffi- 
cient record  of  the  whole  matter.  The  result  of  council  was 
expressed  in  these  words  :  — 

"  It  was  then  proposed,  whether  it  was  not  expedient  that  a  paper 
should  be  read  which  was  said  to  contain  a  nai*rative  of  some  affairs 
in  Boxford  in  which  Mr.  Osgood  was  concerned,  or  some  remarks 
upon  the  result  of  a  council  there.  The  reading  of  said  paper  was 
urged  by  some  members  of  Medford  church  who  call  themselves 
aggrieved.  The  council  refused  to  hear  it,  for  reasons  offered  by 
Mr.  Osgood." 

It  was  desired  by  the  aggrieved  that  a  certain  contest  be- 
tween Mr.  Osgood  and  Captain  Adams  should  be  considered  ; 
but  this  was  refused,  as  it  appeared  to  be  an  article  which 
had  been  laid  before  the  council  at  Boxford,  and  concerning 
which  they  had  judged  and  determined. 

It  was  then  voted  by  the  council  to  hear  a  sermon  of  Mr. 
Osgood's  on  Eph.  ii.  2 ;  which  was  objected  against,  as  con- 
taining doctrines  of  pernicious  tendency.  The  council,  upon 
hearing  it,  judged  it  to  be  sound  and  orthodox. 

Mr.  Osgood  then  delivered  the  following  confession  of  his 
faith,  which  was  well  approved :  — 

"  I  believe  that  there  is  one  only  living  and  true  God,  whose 
being  and  perfections  are  eternally  and  necessarily  existent,  immu- 
table, and  independent ;  of  whom  as  their  primary  efficient  cause, 
and  through  whom  as  their  sole  preserver,  governor,  and  absolute 
disposer,  and  to  whom  as  their  ultimate  scope  and  issue,  are  all 
things  and  events  which  ever  have  or  shall  take  place  in  the  uni- 
verse ;  that  this  God  is  the  alone  proper  and  fit  object  of  religious 
worship ;  and  that  he  is,  on  account  of  his  own  moral  beauty  and 
excellence,  infinitely  worthy  of  the  supreme  love  and  entire  obedi- 
ence of  all  created  intelligences. 

"  I  believe  that  the  books  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament  are  an 
exhibition  of  the  mind  and  will  of  God  to  man,  in  which  are  com- 
prised all  those  doctrines  and  instructions  which  are  necessary  to 
guide  and  direct  men  in  the  way  to  happiness  and  eternal  life ; 
that  in  these  books  God  has  revealed  himself  as  existing  (though 
in  a  manner  above  my  comprehension)  in  a  triplicity  of  persons,  — 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 


240  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

"  I  believe,  on  the  authority  of1  these  books,  that  God  at  first  cre- 
ated man  perfectly  holy  and  upright ;  that,  whilst  in  this  state,  he 
made  a  covenant  with  him,  which  virtually  included  his  future  off- 
spring ;  that,  in  consequence  of  the  breach  of  this  covenant,  man- 
kind do  now  come  into  existence  with  hearts  wholly  corrupt ;  on 
account  of  which  corruption,  they  are  liable  to  suffer  all  the  evils 
implied  in  the  curse  of  the  law. 

"  I  believe  that  this  corruption  of  the  human  heart  has  not  de- 
stroyed that  freedom  which  is  necessary  to  moral  action,  but  that 
mankind  still  remain  the  subjects  of  God's  moral  government. 

"  I  believe  that,  though  God  was  wholly  unobliged  in  strict  justice 
to  provide  a  Saviour  for  these  apostate  creatures,  he  has  yet  done 
it  of  his  own  mere  good  pleasure,  and  for  the  display  of  his  unme- 
rited grace  ;  that  Jesus  Christ  is  this  Saviour,  in  whom  the  divine- 
and  human  nature  are  united  in  a  manner  inconceivable  by  me  ; 
that  this  Saviour,  by  voluntarily  undertaking  the  work  of  redemp- 
tion, and  in  a  federal  capacity  becoming  obedient  to  the  Father's 
will,  even  unto  death,  has  so  displayed  the  deformity  of  sin,  and 
has  done  such  honor  to  the  divine  law  and  government,  as  to 
render  it  consistent  with  the  perfect  rectitude  of  the  supreme  Go- 
vernor to  pardon  and  receive  to  favor  sinners  who  believe  in  Christ, 
though  in  themselves  they  are  infinitely  guilty  and  undeserving ; 
that  this  faith  in  Christ  is  not  a  bare  speculative  assent  of  the 
understanding  only,  but  an  hearty  approbation  of  his  mediatorial 
character ;  that  it  is  an  holy  act,  proceeding  from  a  sanctified  or 
good  heart,  which  good  heart  is  created  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  in  regeneration ;  that  though  regeneration  be  the  immediate 
and  powerful  exertion  of  the  Spirit  of  God  in  the  soul,  yet  that  the 
usual  way  in  which  sinners  are  thus  born  again,  and  brought  to  the 
exercise  of  that  faith  which,  according  to  the  gospel  plan,  entitles 
them  to  the  benefits  of  Christ's  purchased  redemption,  is  whilst  they 
are  attending  upon  what  are  called  the  means  of  grace,  are  reading, 
hearing,  or  meditating  upon  divine  truth,  and  are  laboring  after  the 
knowledge  of  God  and  of  themselves,  and  an  acquaintance  with 
spiritual  and  eternal  things. 

"In  a  word,  I  apprehend  that  those  doctrines  specified  in  the 
Assembly's  Catechism  are,  in  the  main,  consonant  to  those  revealed 
in  the  sacred  oracles  as  fundamentals  in  the  gospel  scheme,  —  which 
doctrines,  as  a  Christian,  I  am  bound  to  profess,  and,  as  a  preacher, 
to  teach  and  inculcate.  David  Osgood. 

"  Medford,  Sept.  14,  1774." 

The  council  then  were  desired  to  determine  whether  it 
was  not  expedient  for  them  to  advise  to  the  calling  a  mutual 
council,  to  hear  and  judge  concerning  the  objections  of  the 
aggrieved.     This  the  council  judged  to  be  inexpedient. 

The  council  being  satisfied  with  Mr.  Osgood,  notwith- 
standing the  objections  brought  against  him,  which  they  fully 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  241 

and  patiently  heard  and  duly  considered,  proceeded  to  the 
business  of  ordination. 

In  the  meeting-house  the  church  publicly  renewed  their 
call ;  and  Mr.  Osgood  publicly  accepted. 

Introductory  prayer,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Willis,  of  Maiden ;  ser- 
mon, by  Hev.  Mr.  French,  of  Andover  ;  ordaining  prayer 
and  charge,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Appleton,  of  Cambridge  ;  right  hand 
of  fellow  ship,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Cook,  of  Cambridge  ;  concluding 
prayer,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Searl,  of  Stoneham. 

The  result  of  this  council  was  right.  The  charges  against 
the  character  of  Mr.  Osgood  were  not  sustained  so  as  to  dis- 
qualify him  for  the  office  of  a  Christian  minister  ;  and  the 
charges  against  his  Calvinistic  opinions  were  such  objections 
to  them  as  all  Arminians  would  offer.  It  was  not  to  be  ex- 
pected that  a  town  would  be  defeated  in  its  choice  of  a  pas- 
tor, when  sixty-seven  votes  out  of  seventy-two  were  for  a 
favorite  candidate.  It  was  certainly  a  high  compliment  to 
the  "  quality  and  rank  of  the  opposers  "  that  they  induced 
Mr.  Osgood  to  give  a  negative  answer  to  the  first  invitation ; 
and  it  appears  from  all  the  documents  that  the  aggrieved 
party  were  sincere  and  reluctant  opposers  of  their  fellow- 
communicants.  They  deemed  loyalty  to  truth  and  obedience 
to  Christ  paramount  to  all  earthly  and  personal  considera- 
tions ;  and  however  we,  at  this  day,  may  differ  from  them, 
we  must  accord  to  them  a  conscientious  desire  to  promote  the 
glory  of  God  and  the  good  of  the  church.  A  proof  of  their 
love  of  peace  was  found  in  the  fact,  that,  op  the  morning 
after  the  ordination,  three  of  the  opposers  of  it  waited 
together  upon  the  new  pastor ;  when  Thomas  Brooks,  jun., 
Esq.,  addressed  him  thus  :  — 

"  Rev.  Sir,  —  We  opposed  the  giving  you  a  call,  and  we  opposed 
your  ordination ;  we  did  thus  from  our  deepest  convictions  of  duty 
to  Christ  and  his  church ;  but,  as  we  have  failed  in  all  our  efforts, 
and  you  are  now  to  begin  your  ministrj  among  us,  we  have  come 
here  to  tell  you  that  our  opposition  to  you  ceases,  and  that  you  will 
find  us  constant  attendants  on  your  ministrations,  and  ready  to  aid 
you  in  your  holy  work." 

Dr.  Osgood  told  the  writer  of  this,  that  he  found  these  gen- 
tlemen among  his  most  generous  and  attentive  parishioners. 

The  ministry  of  Mr.  Osgood  commenced  just  as  the  revo- 
lutionary earthquake  began  to  terrify  the  Colonies ;  and 
politics  seemed  to  devour  all  other  topics.  He  early  took 
side  with  the  friends  of  freedom  ;  and,  for  many  years  during 


242  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOKI). 

his  unmarried  state,  did  not  press  the  town  for  his  salary. 
The  fugitive  value  of  the  old  continental  money  caused  some 
embarrassment  a  few  years  later ;  but  he  bore  with  cheerful- 
ness his  share  of  the  common  public  burdens.  "While  a  part  of 
the  continental  army  was  stationed  at  Charlestown,  on  "Win- 
ter Hill,  the  soldiers  walked  to  Medford  for  the  pleasure  of 
attending  his  public  ministrations. 

Citizen.  —  Dr.  Osgood,  as  a  citizen,  was  a  lover  of  peace, 
and  an  early  advocate  of  temperance  societies.  His  love  of 
country  showed  itself  prominently  during  our  difficulties  with 
Great  Britain  in  1812.  His  sermon  at  the  annual  election  in 
1809,  that  before  the  students  of  Harvard  College  in  1810, 
and  his  "  Solemn  Protest "  against  the  declaration  of  war  in 
1812,  prove  that  the  fear  of  man  was  jiot  before  his  eyes. 
As  a  federalist  of  the  old  school,  he  felt  bound  to  thunder  his 
anathemas  against  the  new  doctrines  of  the  national  adminis- 
tration ;  but  it  was  felt  by  some  of  his  friends  that  his  offer- 
ings on  the  altar  of  patriotism  burned  too  brightly.  So  keen 
were  his  applications,  that  it  could  not  be  said  of  him,  Tarn 
unice  vitujperat,  ut  laudare  videtur. 

Preacher.  —  As  a  preacher,  his  mind  was  not  so  much  the 
rapid,  inventive,  and  poetic,  as  the  clear,  metaphysic,  and  prac- 
tical. It  was  ardent,  but  not  glowing ;  always  free,  but 
always  reverent ;  and  particularly  excelled  in  illustrating 
moral  truth.  To  sterling  Anglo-Saxon  sense  he  added  a 
vast  mental  industry  ;  and,  had  he  been  a  poet,  his  power  as  a 
preacher  would  have  been  well-nigh  doubled.  Pithy  and 
sententious  apothegms  were  not  common  with  him.  His 
writings  were  not  clusters  of  maxims ;  but  consecutive 
thought,  expressed  in  pure,  plain  English.  During  the  first 
part  of  his  ministry,  it  seemed  to  be  his  leading  aim  to  con- 
vince his  people  of  the  truth  of  his  creed ;  and  this  immersed 
him  in  the  acute  metaphysics  of  Edwards.  In  a  discrimi- 
nating notice  of  him,  written  immediately  after  his  death, 
there  is  the  following  :  — 

"  As  a  preacher,  he  was  very  distinguished.  His  matter  was 
copious  and  sensible,  and  drawn,  for  the  most  part,  from  the  moral 
precepts  and  the  undisputed  doctrines  of  the  gospel.  His  style 
was  animated  and  forcible,  and  hi&  manner  one  of  the  most  striking 
which  we  have  ever  witnessed.  His  looks,  his  gesture,  and  the 
tones  of  his  voice,  were  altogether  peculiar  to  himself.  Without 
being  at  all  like  those  which  we  are  accustomed  to  find  in  what  is 
called  a  finished  speaker,  they  were  so  energetic,  so  full  of  mean- 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  243 

ing,  so  truly  eloquent,  that  they  arrested  and  enchained  the  most 
profound  and  delighted  attention.  We  shall  never  forget  his  patri- 
archal  appearance  in  the  pulpit." 

Another  writer  at  the  same  time  says,  — 

"  Dr.  Osgood's  singular  excellence  was  in  the  energetic,  impas- 
sioned expression  of  religious  sentiment.  When  urging  an  impor- 
tant practical  truth,  his  mind  seemed  all  on  fire  with  his  theme. 
His  tones,  his  gesture,  his  enthusiasm,  —  his  inspiration,  I  had  almost 
said,  —  were  peculiarly  his  own.  Hence,  if  he  did  not  always  satisfy 
by  an  argument,  he  seldom  failed  to  overpower  by  an  appeal." 

During  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  his  aim  seemed  rather  to 
touch  their  hearts  with  a  warm  piety,  and  to  lead  them  trust- 
ingly to  a  divine  Saviour.  This  change,  however,  in  him  was 
gradual.  He  found  the  noonday  sun  shining  upon  him  at  a  dif- 
ferent angle  from  the  morning  ray.  He  believed  with  Augus- 
tine, Nulla  falsa  doctrina  est,  qua,  non  aliquid  veri  permisceat. 

He  kept  up  his  studies  in  Hebrew,  and  gave  frequent  ex- 
positions of  the  Old  Testament ;  but  he  did  not  touch  the 
harp  of  the  prophet  -with  that  unholy  violence  which  snaps 
its  chords.  He  continued  his  reading  of  the  Greek  and  Latin 
classics,  and  often  enriched  his  sermons  from  them ;  thus 
making  heathen  plants  bear  fruit  on  Christian  soil. 

He  was  a  fearless  preacher.  Hating  hypocrisy  with  his 
whole  heart,  he  could  drag  into  light  the  secret,  double-faced 
pretender  with  awful  power ;  and  he  loved  to  make  the  bold, 
successful  demagogue  tremble  before  him.  He  was  not  one 
of  those  who  are  always  hacking  at  the  branches  of  evil: 
his  mode  was  to  strike  at  its  root.  In  mild  persuasion  he 
did  not  excel ;  but  in  righteous  rebuke  he  had  no  equal. 

His  appearance  in  the  sacred  desk  was  singularly  imposing, 
especially  after  age  had  whitened  his  locks.  He  had  a  well- 
developed  frame,  a  strongly-marked  face,  a  powerful  voice, 
and  sometimes  a  very  animated  delivery.  Most  of  the 
sermons,  in  the  volume  published  after  his  death,  were  deli- 
vered memoriter ;  and,  as  these  added  graces  cannot  be  found  in 
the  printed  page,  those  sermons  will  not  justify  to  after-gene- 
rations the  eulogy  we  have  passed  upon  him  as  a  preacher. 

Opinions.  —  His  opinions  were  not  stereotyped.  His  con- 
stant study  and  patient  reflection  extended  his  views  of  God 
and  of  Christ,  of  man  and  of  truth.  At  the  time  of  his  settle- 
ment, the  doctrines  of  Arminius,  Calvin,  and  Hopkins  un- 
equally divided  this  community.  He  inclined,  with  deepest 
conviction,  to  the  school  of  the  learned  Genevan. 


244  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

He  was  strongly  attached  to  the  Protestant,  Congregational 
order  of  church  government,  and  had  little  love  for  Episco- 
pacy. His  "  Plea  for  Infant  Baptism  "  was  considered  one 
of  his  ablest  works.  Though  early  biased  in  favor  of  Calvin- 
ism, he  would  not  allow  himself  to  be  a  slave  to  other  men's 
decisions.  He  would  judge  of  the  Bible  for  himself.  Ntil- 
lius  addictus  jurare  in  verba  magistri.  "We  should  like  to 
have  seen  him  in  the  situation  of  Rev.  Marmaduke  Mathews, 
the  first  minister  of  Maiden,  in  1650,  who  was  accused  of  free 
thinking  and  free  talking  ;  and  "  the  General  Court  ordered 
Governor  Endicott,  in  its  name,  to  admonish  him,"  "We 
think  the  General  Court  and  Governor,  before  they  had  got 
Dr.  Osgood  under  their  spiritual  duress,  would  have  been 
glad  to  say,  "  Go  thy  way  for  this  time  :  when  we  have  a 
more  convenient  season,  we  will  call  for  thee." 

He  was  that  "  freeman  whom  the  truth  makes  free,"  and 
maintained  that  right  reason  is  to  our  understandings  what 
the  Spirit  of  God  is  to  our  hearts.  El  sabio  muda  consejo, 
el  nescio  no.  His  views  of  the  gospel  dispensation  gradu- 
ally expanded,  and  thus  modified,  his  former  faith.  On  the 
evening  of  that  day  when  he  had  taken  a  most  decisive  stand 
in  the  stormy  debates  which  arose  in  the  council,  before  the 
ordination  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wisner  over  the  Old  South 
Church  in  Boston  (1819),  he  proposed  to  me  the  following 
easy  question :  "  Why  will  Mr.  Wisner's  creed  be  like 
a  lighted  candle  ?  "  Answer.  —  "  The  longer  it  lives, 
the  shorter  it  will  be."  Dr.  Osgood  might  have  taken  as 
his  motto,  Liceat  concedere  veris.  His  Catholicism  was 
proverbial ;  and  he  maintained  until  his  death  the  friendly 
interchange  of  pulpits  with  both  parties,  after  the  Trini- 
tarian controversy  of  1810  had  commenced.  He  ever 
classed  himself  among  those  called  "  orthodox," —  that  is,  Cal- 
vinistic,  —  and  was  consistent  with  his  profession.  He  was 
tolerant  without  religious  indifference,  and  candid  without 
forgetting  his  rebuke  of  sin.  An  old  and  heretofore  respect- 
ed member  of  the  Medford  church  became  "  an  infidel  free- 
thinker,"—  rejecting  the  divine  authority  of  Christ  and 
the  New  Testament.  Before  the  church  proceeded  to  deal 
with  him,  Mr.  Osgood  wrote  him  a  private  letter  as  a  friend. 
The  letter  is  dated,  "  Medford,  Sept.  10,  1798  ;  "  and,  with 
his  plain  style  and  strong  sense,  he  pleads  with  his  erring 
brother  as  with  a  father,  a  citizen,  a  patriot,  and  a  philanthro- 
pist.    Among  other  ideas  are  these  :  — 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  245 

"  At  a  time  when  infidelity  and  irreligion  are  sapping  the  foun- 
dations of  civil  society  and  overspreading  the  world  with  misery, 
and  when  the  remains  ol*  Christianity  among  ourselves  are  confess- 
edly our  strongest  harrier  against  the  general  inundation,  is  it  not 
astonishing  that  any  good  citizen,  especially  after  he  has  professed 
himself  a  Christian,  should  hecome  indifferent  about  preserving 
these  precious  remains  ?  The  Searcher  of  hearts  knows  with  what 
concern  and  grief  I  behold  the  defection  of  a  friend  whom  I  have  so 
highly  esteemed,  and  in  whom  I  acknowledge  there  are  many  vir- 
tues and  estimable  qualities." 

To  silence  heretics  by  burning  them,  was  as  repugnant  to 
Dr.  Osgood's  judgment  as  it  was  abhorrent  to  his  feelings  ; 
yet  his  Catholicism  was  discriminating.  He  had  no  taste  for 
human  appendages  and  fanciful  theories  in  religion.  Less 
sympathy  still  had  he  with  those  who  philologize  Jesus 
Christ  out  of  the  Old  Testament,  and  philosophize  him  out  of 
the  Xew.  He  was  a  steady  advocate  of  the  doctrines 
of  grace.  He  was  neither  for  Aristotle  nor  Plato,  neither 
for  Paul  nor  Apollos,  but  for  Christ.  His  faith  in  the 
divine  authority  of  the  Bible  was  peculiarly  strong ;  and  he 
preached  "  Christ  crucified,  yea,  risen  again,"  with  all 
the  power  he  possessed.  To  state  exactly  the  latitude  and 
longitude  of  his  theological  opinions  is  perhaps  impossible. 
The  nearest  approach  to  any  exactness  may  be  found  in  a 
conversation  he  had  with  a  friend  in  1819.  He  asked,  "  How 
far  is  it  from  here  to  Andover  Institution  ? "  and  was  an- 
swered, "  About  seventeen  miles."  "  How  far  is  it  from 
here  to  the  Cambridge  Theological  Institution?"  "About 
four  miles."  "  Well,"  said  he,  "  I  have  been  thinking 
that  is  just  about  my  theological  position  with  regard  to  the 
two  schools."  It  had  always  been  our  impression  that  he. 
was  nearer  to  Andover  than  his  remark  implied.  He  em- 
phatically forbade  the  publication  of  any  of  his  controversial 
sermons ;  and  in. the  later  part  of  his  life  he  had  so  modified 
his  views  of  the  doctrine  of  total  depravity,  that  he  used,  in 
private  conversation,  to  relate  a  dream,  the  meaning  of  which 
may  be  summed  up  thus  :  "  Men  are  wicked  enough,  but 
not  totally  depraved.  Devils  only  are  totally  evil.  In  hell 
there  are  no  barbers'  shops  ;  no  devil  there  dare  trust  his 
throat  with  another ;  whereas  men  on  earth  do  so  trust  each 
other  safely.".  His  principles  of  Christian  toleration  cannot 
be  so  well  expressed  as  in  his  own  words.  They  are  as  fol- 
lows :  — 


246  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

"  Far  be  it  from  me  to  censure  any  of  my  brethren,  who,  after  an 
equally  honest  and  impartial  inquiry,  think  in  some  respects  differ- 
ent from  me.  Conscious  of  my  liability  to  err, —  from  the  infirmi- 
ties of  nature,  the  prejudices  of  education,  and  the  acknowledged 
difficulty,  on  various  questions,  of  ascertaining  the  true  sense  of 
Scripture,  —  I  hope  never  to  withhold  that  charity  from  others 
which  I  claim  for  myself.  '  Let  every  man  be  fully  persuaded  in 
his  own  mind,'  clearly  implies  the  right  of  every  man  to  read  and 
understand  the  Scriptures  for  himself,  with  no  other  l-esponsibility 
than  to  God  and  his  own  conscience.  Each  of  us  ought  to  think 
and  judge  for  himself,  using  the  reason  which  God  has  given  us  in 
searching  and  studying  his  revealed  will.  A  mind  thus  independent, 
an  understanding  thus  unfettered  and  unawed  by  uninspired  names, 
is  honorary  to  a  Christian,  especially  to  a  minister  of  Christ." 

While  the  subject  of  this  notice  was  a  granite  man,  not 
caring  for  "  those  soft  parts  of  speech  "  which  give  a  needed 
charm  to  social  courtesy,  we  find  him  honest  and  expansive 
in  his  theological  creed.  "  The  elevation  of  his  character, 
and  the  unconquerable  force  of  his  will,  gave  him,  in  all 
councils  and  conventions  of  clergymen,  an  authority  which 
few  ventured  to  resist.  The  strongest  sympathies  of  his 
heart,  and  the  most  intimate  of  his  ministerial  relations,  were 
with  the  more  liberal  of  his  clerical  brethren." 

Pastor. — As  a  pastor,  Dr.  Osgood  was  less  among  his 
flock  than  some  others  ;  but  his  labors,  prayers,  and  life  were 
for  the  spiritual  good  of  his  people.  There  are  those  yet 
living  who  remember  his  kindness  in  seasons  of  sorrow ;  who 
have  seen  him  enter-their  dwelling  with  looks  of  sympathy, 
and  with  words  that  showed  the  wish,  if  not  the  power,  to 
comfort ;  yes,  they  have  seen  one,  who  to  strangers  appeared 
stern  and  unbending,  melt  into  tenderness  of  look,  of  voice, 
and  of  manner,  in  the  presence  of  bereavement. 

Dr.  Osgood  suffered  less  from  illness  than  most  men ;  and 
never  was  a  pulpit  more  uninterruptedly  supplied  by  its 
occupant  than  his.  He  labored  to  the  last  week  of  his  life. 
His  dread  of  death  was  unaccountably  great;  and  through 
life  he  seemed  subject  to  the  bondage  of  this  fear.  But  the 
angel  came  during  a  season  of  apparent  insensibility,  and  life 
ceased  Dec.  12,  1822.  Thus,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six,  closed 
his  ministry  of  more  than  forty-eight  years.  He  baptized 
853  persons ;  married  359  couples ;  admitted  to  the  church 
304  communicants ;  and  officiated  at  990  funerals. 

Every  arrangement  for  a  public  funeral  which  respect  for 
their  venerable  pastor  could  suggest  was  made  by  the  town  ; 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  £47 

and  their  Committee  for  the  occasion  were  Messrs.  Abner 
Bartlett,  Jonathan  Brooks,  Thatcher  Magoun,  Turell  Tufts, 
and  Dudley  Hall.  The  funeral  services  were  on  Saturday, 
Dec.  14.  The  prayer  was  offered  by  President  Kirkland; 
and  the  sermon  preached  by  Dr.  Abiel  Holmes,  from  2  Tim. 
iv.  6,  7.  The  pall-bearers  were  the  Rev.  Drs.  Kirkland  and 
Holmes,  of  Cambridge ;  Ripley,  of  Concord ;  Foster,  of  Brigh- 
ton ;  Fiske,  of  West  Cambridge  ;  and  Homer,  of  Newton. 

The  wife  of  Dr.  Osgood  died  Jan.  7,  1818,  aged  seventy, 
and  left  behind  the  memorial  of  an  amiable,  intelligent,  and 
pious  woman.     "  The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed." 

The  incidents  in  the  history  of  Dr.  Osgood,  not  mentioned 
in  the  memoir,  are  few  and  unimportant.  Among  those  of 
historic  interest  are  the  following  :  — 

"  March  15,  1782 :  At  a  meeting  of  the  brethren  of  the  church 
this  day,  the  pastor  proposed  an  alteration  in  the  form  of  the  cove- 
nant used  at  the  admission  of  members ;  to  which  they  gave  their 
unanimous  consent.     The  form  adopted  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  You  do,  in  presence  of  the  great  God  and  this  Christian  assem- 
bly, profess  your  belief  of  the  Holy  Scriptures ;  that  they  were 
given  by  the  inspiration  of  God,  and  are  the  only  sufficient  rule  of 
faith  and  practice. 

"  You  believe  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  be  the  only  Mediator 
between  God  and  man,  and  Lord  and  Head  of  his  church.  Con- 
vinced that  you  are  a  guilty,  condemned  sinner,  you  desire  to  receive 
and  submit  to  him  in  all  those  characters  and  offices  with  which  he 
is  invested  for  the  benefit  of  the  children  of  men. 

"  You  believe  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  to  be  the  Author  of  every 
spiritual  and  gracious  disposition  in  the  minds  of  men  ;  the  Leader, 
Sanctifier,  and  Comforter  of  his  people.  Sensible  of  the  depravity 
of  the  human  heart,  your  own  proneness  to  sin  and  inability  to  that 
which  is  good,  you  promise  to  seek  his  divine  influence  to  form 
you  to  the  temper  of  the  gospel,  and  to  make  you  meet  for  the 
inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light. 

"  You  desire  to  give  yourself  up  to  God  in  an  everlasting  cove- 
nant never  to  be  forgotten ;  to  be  for  him,  and  none  other ;  to  love, 
serve,  and  obey  him  for  ever. 

"  You  acknowledge  this  to  be  a  true  church  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  promise  to  walk  with  us  in  a  due  submission  to  and 
attendance  upon  all  the  ordinances  of  the  gospel ;  and  that,  relying 
upon  divine  aid,  you  will,  in  your  whole  conversation,  make  it  your 
serious  endeavor  to  conduct  agreeably  to  the  rules  of  our  holy  reli- 
gion and  the  profession  you  now  make.  Do  you  thus  profess  and 
promise  ?  " 

"  April  2,  1792  :  Voted  to  give  teu  pounds  for  the  encou- 


248  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

ragement  of  singing  for  the  year  ensuing."  This  is  the  first 
vote  of  the  kind  found  in  our  records.  It  was  to  pay  a 
teacher.  No  one  received  money  for  singing.  It  was  deemed 
a  privilege  to  aid  in  this  part  of  public  worship  ;  and  is  it  not 
a  privilege  ? 

Nov.  24,  1793  :  "  The  church  agreed,  that,  for  the  future, 
after  the  candidates  for  full  communion  had  stood  propounded 
a  fortnight  without  any  objections  against  them,  the  pastor 
might  then  admit  them  without  calling  for  a  vote." 

The  salary  paid  to  Mr.  Osgood  at  first  was  not  increased 
for  many  .years,  except  by  the  annual  grant  of  twenty  cords 
of  wood. 

Sept.  19,  1796 :  "  Voted  not  to  make  him  any  grant, 
on  account  of  the  high  prices  of  the  necessaries  of  life." 

May  5,  1804,  the  town  made  the  first  grant  of  two  hun- 
dred dollars,  under  the  head  of  "  wood  money ;  "  which  sum 
was  afterwards  voted  annually.  The  utmost,  therefore,  which 
he  ever  received  was  $533.33.  This  strangely  contrasts  with 
the  sum  of  $5,500  paid  for  ministers'  salaries  in  1855.  He 
made  no  complaint ;  although  the  number  of  taxable  persons 
in  his  parish  had  more  than  doubled  during  his  ministry, 
and  their  means  of  payment  more  than  quadrupled. 

May  9,  1808  :  Voted  "  eighty  dollars  for  the  encourage- 
ment of  the  singing." 

April  7,  1817:  "Voted  to  grant  seventy -five  dollars  to 
the  '  Medford  Amicable  Singing  Society,'  to  promote  the 
objects  of  said  society." 

Dr.  Osgood  kept  a  diary,  beginning  Jan  1,  1777,  and  end- 
ing Dec.  5,  1822.  Through  this  long  period  he  recorded, 
with  marvellous  brevity,  the  salient  events  of  each  day.  The 
manuscript  is  preserved  in  his  family. 

From  its  first  settlement  to  1823,  Medford  had  been  but 
one  parish ;  and,  for  the  last  hundred  years,  its  two  ministers 
experienced  neither  popular  opposition  nor  social  neglect ; 
and  the  people  experienced  neither  sectarian  strife  nor 
clerical  domination.  Claiming  free  thought  for  himself,  and 
encouraging  it  in  his  people,  Dr.  Osgood  brought  his  parish 
quite  up  to  his  standard  of  liberality  and  progress.  At  his 
death,  a  large  majority  of  the  native  inhabitants  had  quietly 
taken  side  with  the  Unitarians ;  while  many  citizens, 
not  born  in  the  town,  had  as  quietly  taken  side  with  the 
Trinitarians.  That  any  creed  could  be  written,  or  any 
minister  elected,  to  suit  these  opposing  parties,  was  the  mis- 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  219 

taken  conclusion  drawn  at  the  time.  Both  parties  were 
well  instructed,  both  were  equally  sincere,  and  both  had  cor- 
responding rights.  By  a  law  of  the  Commonwealth,  any 
portion  of  a  parish  that  seceded  from  the  old  society,  resigned 
and  sacrificed  its  legal  rights  in  that  parish  by  that  act.  As 
we  shall  have  several  streams  of  ecclesiastical  history  to 
trace  after  this  date,  we  will  begin  with  that  of  the  First 
Parish. 


CHAPTER   VII. 

ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY    (CONTINUED). 
FIEST    PARISH. 

After  the  death  of  Dr.  Osgood,  the  eyes  of  so  many  were 
turned  upon  the  Rev.  Andrew  Bigelow,  that  the  Committee 
engaged  him,  March  25,  1823,  to  preach  as  a  candidate.  On 
the  5th  of  May  in  that  year,  the  town  voted  to  invite  him  to 
become  their  minister.  Yeas,  95  ;  nays,  70.  Salary,  eight 
hundred  dollars. 

May  7,  the  church  met ;  his  Excellency  John  Brooks, 
Chairman.  Voted  "  to  concur  with  the  town  in  giving  the 
Rev.  Andrew  Bigelow  a  call  to  settle  over  them  in  the  gos- 
pel ministry."  Yeas,  20 ;  nays,  3.  Committee  of  confer- 
ence :  Nathaniel  Hall,  Jonathan  Brooks,  and  Nathan  Adams, 
Esqs. 

June  14,  1823,  Mr.  Bigelow  accepted  this  invitation  by  a 
long  and  able  letter,  properly  noticing  a  condition  which,  at 
a  subsequent  meeting,  had  been  coupled  with  the  first  vote 
of  the  town.  The  condition  was,  that  either  party  may  dis- 
solve the  connection  by  giving  six  months'  notice  to  that 
effect.  Mr.  Bigelow,  in  his  letter,  says,  "  After  a  painful 
view  of  the  subject,  and  a  strong  internal  conflict,  my  conclu- 
sion is  to  accept  the  invitation." 

July  9,  1823,  the  ecclesiastical  council,  invited  by  the  town 
and  church  to  install  the  pastor  elect,  was  composed  of  the 
following  clergymen,  with  delegates :    President  Kirkland, 


250  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Cambridge  ;  Dr.  Abiel  Holmes,  Cambridge  ;  Dr.  Thaddcus 
Fiske,  West  Cambridge ;  Dr.  John  Foster,  Brighton  ;  Dr. 
Charles  Lowell,  Boston ;  Rev.  Francis  Parkman,  Boston ; 
Rev.  James  Walker,  Charlestown ;  Rev.  Aaron  Greene, 
Maiden ;  Dr.  Aaron  Bancroft,  Worcester ;  Dr.  Ezra  Ripley, 
Concord ;  Rev.  Convers  Francis,  Watertown ;  and  Rev. 
Charles  Brooks,  Hingham. 

The  council  met  on  this  day.  Rev.  Dr.  Ripley,  Modera- 
tor ;  and  Rev.  Mr.  Francis,  Scribe.  After  all  the  doings  of 
the  town  and  church  relating  to  the  call  of  Mr.  Bigelow  had 
been  considered,  and  all  other  requisite  inquiries  had  been 
made  and  answered,  the  record  says,  — 

"  It  was  then  moved,  that  the  council,  being  satisfied  "with  the 
doings  of  the  church  and  society,  and  with  the  literary,  moral,  and 
theological  qualifications  of  the  Rev.  Andrew  Bigelow,  do  now  vote 
that  they  are  ready  to  proceed  to  installation.  Before  this  motion 
was  put,  some  discussion  took  place  relative  to  the  manner  in  which 
a  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  tie  (between  the  minister  elect  and 
people),  should  that  event  ever  occur,  should  be  conducted ;  and  it 
was  objected  to  by  some  members  of  the  council,  that  nothing  Avas 
provided  in  the  terms  of  settlement  respecting  the  calling,  in  the 
above  event,  an  ecclesiastical  council.  Alter  this  discussion,  the 
original  motion  was  so  far  modified  as  to  stand  as  follows :  — 

"  Voted,  that  though  this  council  deem  it  expedient,  in  ordinary 
cases,  that  the  separation  of  a  minister  from  a  people  be  the  result 
of  an  ecclesiastical  council,  yet  they  are  so  far  satisfied  with  the 
doings  of  the  church  and  society,  and  with  the  qualifications  of 
the  candidate,  that  they  are  ready  to  proceed  with  the  installation 
of  the  Rev.  Andrew  Bigelow  as  pastor  of  the  church  and  congrega- 
tion in  this  town." 

The  religious  exercises  were  in  the  following  order : 
Introductory  prayer,  by  Rev.  Charles  Brooks ;  sermon,  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Bancroft ;  prayer  of  installation,  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Holmes  ;  charge,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Ripley ;  right  hand  of  fellow- 
ship, by  Rev.  James  Walker ;  concluding  prayer,  by  Rev. 
Convers  Francis ;  benediction,  by  the  pastor. 

These  several  services  (the  prayers  excepted)  were  pub- 
lished together  by  a  vote  of  the  parish. 

Mr.  Bigelow  was  born  in  Groton,  Mass.,  May  7,  1795, 
and  graduated  at  Harvard  College  1814.  After  studying 
law  for  a  short  time,  he  turned  with  his  whole  soul  to  the 
study  of  divinity,  and  spent  some  time  at  Edinburgh,  Scot- 
land. May,  1820,  he  was  ordained  as  an  evangelist,  and 
labored  with  zeal   and  success  at  Eastport,  Maine,  and  at 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  251 

Gloucester,  Mass. ;  from  which  last  place  he  married  Miss 
Amelia  Sargent  Stanwood. 

Coming  with  reputation  and  experience  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry  in  Medford,  he  did  all  that  could  be  done  for  making 
the  divided  waters  mingle  in  peace  ;  but,  as  irreconcilable 
differences  of  opinion  were  developed  in  the  congregation,  it 
was  best  that  the  dissentients  should  quietly  withdraw,  and 
provide  for  themselves  a  separate  and  satisfactory  ministra- 
tion of  the  word.  The  first  step  in  such  a  movement  was 
taken  by  seventeen  members  of  the  church  in  writing  and 
sending  the  following  letter  :  — 

"  Medford,  Aug;  25,  1823. 
"  Reverend  and  Beloved,  —  It  becomes  our  painful  duty,  in  the 
pi'ovidence  of  God,  differing  as  we  do  in  our  views  of  the  essential 
doctrines  of  the  gospel  from  what  we  believe  to  be  the  views  and 
preaching  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bigelow,  to  separate  ourselves  from  the 
fellowship  and  communion  of  the  church  with  which  we  now  stand 
connected.  Under  these  impressions,  dear  brethren,  we,  conscien- 
tiously and  in  the  fear  of  God,  ask  letters,  or  a  letter,  of  dismission, 
for  the  purpose  of  forming  ourselves,  in  a  regular  manner,  into  a 
new  and  separate  church. 

"  And,  while  we  deeply  lament  the  necessity  which  we  think 
exists  for  such  a  measure,  we  wish  to  adopt  it  from  the  sole  desire 
of  enjoying  religious  instructions  which  accord  with  our  views  of 
the  system  of  truth  laid  down  in  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ. 

"  Asking  your  prayers,  brethren,  that  we  may  be  guided  into  all 
truth,  we  subscribe  ourselves  yours  in  the  gospel, 

Elizabeth  Bayley. 

Hannah  G.  Rogers. 

Ann  Clay. 

Mary  It.  James. 

Mary  Blanchard. 

Nancy  Jameson. 

Hannah  Crosby. 

Mary  Kidder." 


'■  Galen  James. 
Jesse  Crosby. 
Thomas  Jameson. 
Gilbert  Blanchard. 
Mary  Clay. 
Hepzy  Fitch. 
Nancy  S.  Fitch. 
Mary  Magoun. 
Mary  Blanchard. 


The  church  received  this  short  and  respectful  letter  in  the 
spirit  in  which  it  was  written,  and  chose  a  committee  of 
three  to  prepare  a  reply.  The  reply  is  long,  argumentative, 
and  affectionate ;  and  concludes,  under  deepest  regret,  to 
accede  to  the  wishes  of  the  petitioners,  if  they  continue  to 
desire  separation.  They  renew  their  wish,  and  are  accord- 
ingly released,  from  all  connection  with  the  primitive  church 
of  Medford.  So  far  as  the  records  speak,  we  find  nothing  to 
condemn  in  this  dismemberment  of  the  ancient  parish.     Both 


252  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

parties  were  conscientious  ;  and,  as  they  differed  in  opinion, 
they  could  not  walk  together  in  peace  ;  and  therefore  it  was 
wise  and  Christian  to  separate.  Much  greater  evils  would 
have  come  under  a  forced  union.  The  withdrawal  of  many 
members  of  the  congregation,  to  join  the  new  society,  occa- 
sioned a  less  amount  of  complaint,  exasperation,  and  contro- 
versy, on  both  sides,  than  is  common.  Both  parties  had 
equally  in  view  justice  and  charity  as  Christian  graces, 
and  both  wished  to  exhibit  them  to  each  other.  To  sup- 
pose that  such  sacred  and  durable  ties  can  be  sundered  with- 
out exciting  strong  emotions  and  prompting  to  unreasonable 
speech,  is  to  suppose  that  we  are  not  human.  The  lightnings 
that  flash  and  the  thunders  that  roll  may  terrify  for  a  moment ; 
but  they  release  the  rain,  and  purify  the  air,  and  make  the 
earth  more  fruitful.  God's  will  be  done. 
.  In  pursuing  the  history  of  the  First  Parish  from  this  time, 
it  will  not  be  needful  to  speak  of  its  connection  with  parishes 
subsequently  formed,  but  only  to  record  the  facts  arising  out 
of  its  separate  organization  and  private  proceedings. 

March  31,  1824  :  On  this  day,  ten  male  members  of  the 
First  Parish  apply  to  James  Russell,  Esq.,  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  to  issue  his  warrant,  directing  some  one  of  the  peti- 
tioners to  notify  all  the  legal  voters  of  said  parish  to  meet  in 
their  meeting-house,  April  12,  1824,  at  two  o'clock,  p.m.,  for 
the  purpose  of  electing  officers,  raising  money,  and  doing  all 
other  necessary  acts.  The  warrant  was  issued,  and  the  first 
meeting  held  at  the  time  specified  ;  and  Abner  Bartlett,  Esq., 
was  chosen  Clerk ;  Messrs.  Jonathan  Brooks,  John  Symmes, 
Darius  Wait,  Nathan  Adams,  jun.,  and  John  King,  Parish 
Committee ;  Messrs.  J.  Richardson,  John  Howe,  and  Ebene- 
zer  Hall,  jun.,  Assessors  ;  William  Ward,  Esq.,  Treasurer. 

Thus  the  First  Parish  on  this  day  became  a  separate  body, 
under  a  legal  organization. 

On  this  day  also,  "  Voted  to  raise  the  sum  of  one  thousand 
dollars,  to  discharge  the  minister's  salary  and  other  incidental 
charges  the  ensuing  year." 

"  July  27,  1823  :  Voted  by  the  church,  that  the  ordinance 
of  baptism  be  hereafter  administered  at  the  commencement  of 
the  afternoon  service  on  the  Lord's  day,  in  place  of  being 
performed  after  sermon,  as  heretofore  the  practice  has  been." 

"July  27,  1823:  The  Hon.  Peter  C.  Brooks  presented 
to  the  church  two  silver  flagons  ;  for  which  thanks  were 
voted." 


ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY.  253 

Sept.  3,  1824 :  The  subject  of  a  fund  for  the  support  of 
the  gospel  ministry  is  brought  up  and  discussed  by  the 
church,  and  the  wish  expressed  that  one  may  be  gathered. 

July  3,  1825  :  The  proposition  to  print  the  church  cove- 
nant, and  the  covenant  for  baptism,  brought  up  the  considera- 
tion of  that  adopted  Feb.  11,  1713,  and  that  of  March  15, 
1782  ;  and  the  result  was  a  vote  by  the  church,  that  they 
"  do  not  find  it  needful  to  propose  any  alterations  in  their 
confessions  of  faith,  either  in  their  articles  or  terms.  They 
conceive  that  the  church-covenant  especially  combines  the 
qualities  of  a  true  Protestant  as  well  as  gospel  confession ; 
the  properties  of  being  liberal  and  practical,  yet  deeply 
serious  and  evangelical." 

Dr.  Osgood  gave  by  will  some  valuable  books  to  the 
church,  "  for  the  use  of  his  successors  in  the  ministry  ; "  and 
these  are  added  to  those  received  from  his  predecessor. 

Aug.  7,  1825  :  The  pastor  proposed  the  formation  of  a 
parish  and  social  library,  and  began  with  a  donation. 

Sept.  4  :  The  proposition  above  was  accepted,  and  a  commit- 
tee of  five  brethren  of  the  church  and  six  members  of  the 
congregation  was  chosen  to  collect  subscriptions  and  receive 
donations. 

Nov.  1,  1825  :  The  parish  voted  to  procure  an  organ,  if 
four  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  can  be  raised  by  subscription 
for  that  purpose.  Committee  to  procure  subscriptions : 
Messrs.  George  "W.  Porter,  Turell  Tufts,  and  Darius  "Wait. 
The  organ  was  purchased  for  the  amount,  and  gave  satisfaction. 

Jan.  2,  1826 :  Voted,  that  the  money  received  from  the 
sale  of  the  new  pews  to  be  built  in  the  gallery  be  the  begin- 
ning of  a  permanent  fund  for  the  support  of  the  ministry  in 
said  parish. 

In  April  of  this  year,  the  question  arose  respecting  the 
right  of  the  town  to  hold  town-meetings  in  the  meeting-house 
of  the  first  parish ;  the  Selectmen  contending  for  the  right, 
the  parish  against  it. 

About  this  time,  subscriptions  were  commenced  for  the 
"  Congregational  Ministerial  Fund  for  the  First  Parish  in  the 
town  of  Medford."  By  the  judicious  investments  of  the 
Treasurer,  Dudley  Hall,  Esq.,  this  fund  amounts,  in  1855, 
to  .$8,600.  By  special  statute,  one  hundred  dollars  of  the 
annual  income  must  be  added  each  year  to  the  permanent 
fund.  The  balance  of  the  incomes  may  be  expended  for  the 
support  of  the  pastor. 


254  HISTORY    OF    MED  FORD. 

On  the  9th  of  July  and  the  29th  of  October,  1826,  the 
Rev.  Andrew  Bigelow  preached  sermons  containing  his  rea- 
sons for  giving  the  sixth  months'  notice  previous  to  his 
dissolving  his  pastoral  relations.  Nov.  6  of  the  same  year, 
he  wrote  a  letter  to  his  parish,  repeating,  — 

"  That  it  was  from  no  decay  of  attachment  to  the  people  of  my 
pastoral  charge,  or  of  earnestness  of  desire  to  be  instrumental  in 
promoting  the  interests  of  piety  and  vital  religion  among  them.  .  .  . 
Being  about  to  leave  this  country  on  a  distant  voyage,  in  the  hope 
of  fully  re-establishing  my  health,  I  should  be  pleased  to  know  the 
mind  of  the  parish  in  respect  to  the  mode  of  supplying  the  pulpit, 
and  to  obtain  their  concurrence  to  my  proposed  absence,  prior  to 
the  expiration  of  the  time  of  my  connection  with  them  as  pastor.  .  .  . 
And,  should  they  come  together,  I  beg  you  to  present  them  the 
renewed  assurances  of  my  most  grateful  recollection  of  their  past 
favors  to  me,  along  with  my  fervent  aspirations  that  grace,  mercy, 
and  peace  may  be  multiplied  to  them  all." 

His  request  was  immediately  granted ;  whereupon  a  reply 
was  sent  to  Mr.  Bigelow  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  the 
parish,  in  which  they  regret,  for  reasons  stated,  his  relin- 
quishment of  office,  and  say,  — 

"  "We  bear  you  witness,  that,  with  true  Christian  forbearance  and 
professional  integrity,  you  have  had  your  walk  and  conversation 
among  us  from  the  beginning,  and  that  you  have  been  the  minister 
of  much  good  to  this  people.  ...  In  taking  leave  of  you,  Rev.  Sir, 
we  would  most  heartily  reciprocate  the  sentiments  expressed  in 
your  farewell  discourse  for  our  future  prosperity  and  happiness." 

"  Voted,  that  the  Committee  be  directed  to  request  of  Mr.  Bige- 
low a  copy  of  the  two  discourses  mentioned  in  his  communication, 
as  delivered  on  the  9th  of  July  and  29th  of  October  last,  to  be 
deposited  among  the  parish  records." 

Mr.  Bigelow's  connection  with  the  parish  legally  ceased 
Jan.  9,  1827.  Returning  from  Europe  with  recovered  health, 
he  became  the  minister  of  the  Unitarian  Society  in  Taunton, 
Mass.,  April  10,  1833,  where  he  labored  fqr  many  years. 
He  is  now  filling  a  most  useful  clerical  office  in  the  city  of 
Boston.  The  time,  therefore,  to  speak  of  his  character  is  not 
yet ;  but  we  may  quote  the  words  of  his  successor  in  Med- 
ford,  whose  opportunities  for  learning  the  facts  were  pecu- 
liarly great.     He  writes  thus  :  — 

"  My  regard  to  his  feelings  need  not  prevent  my  bearing  testi- 
mony to  the  deep  regret  of  his  people  that  any  circumstances 
should,  in  his  opinion,  have  made  a  separation  from  them  desirable. 


ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY.  255 

He  left  behind  him  many  aching  hearts,  and  many  warm  friends, 
who  u  ill  not  forget  how  he  labored  among  them  as  '  a  good  minister 
of  Jesus  Christ '  in  all  faithfulness  and  love." 

Mr.  Bigelow  baptized  66  persons ;  married  37  couples ; 
officiated  at  105  funerals  ;  and  admitted  26  communicants  to 
the  church. 

The  parish-committee,  consisting  of  Messrs.  John  Symmes, 
Jonathan  Brooks,  and  John  King,  engage  Mr.  Caleb  Stetson, 
a  graduate  of  Harvard  College  in  1822,  to  preach  as  a  candi- 
date for  five  sabbaths.  At  the  close  of  his  engagement,  the 
parish  passed  the  following  votes  :  — 

Jan.  8,  1827:  "Voted  unanimously  to  give  Mr.  Caleb  Stetson 
an  invitation  to  settle  with  us  as  our  minister  in  the  gospel. 

"  Voted  unanimously  to  give  Mr.  Stetson  one  thousand  dollars 
salary. 

"  Voted  to  give  Mr.  Stetson  one  thousand  dollars  over  and  above 
his  salary,  to  be  paid  on  the  day  of  his  settlement  with  us ;  which 
sum  has  been  raised  by  subscription  for  that  purpose." 

Jan.  16  :  Mr.  Stetson  accepts  the  invitation,  and  on  the  28th 
of  February,  1827,  was  ordained.  The  council  was  com- 
posed of  the  following  clergymen,  with  their  delegates  :  Rev. 
Dr.  Kirkland  and  Dr.  "Ware,  Cambridge ;  Dr.  Holmes, 
Cambridge ;  Dr.  Lowell,  Boston ;  Rev.  Aaron  Greene,  Mai- 
den ;  Rev.  Henry  "Ware,  Boston ;  Rev.  James  Walker, 
Charlestown ;  Rev,  Convers  Francis,  Watertown;  Rev.  Jo- 
seph Field,  Weston ;  Rev.  George  Ripley,  Boston ;  Rev. 
Samuel  Ripley,  Waltham ;  Dr.  Fiske,  West  Cambridge ; 
Rev.  Charles  Brooks,  Hingham :  Rev.  Francis  Parkman, 
Boston ;  Dr.  Foster,  Brighton ;  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Gannett, 
Cambridgeport ;  Rev.  Bernard  Whitman,  Waltham ;  Rev. 
Charles  Briggs,  Lexington;  Rev.  Edward  B.  Hall,  North- 
ampton ;  Rev.  Ira  H.  T.  Blanchard,  Harvard. 

In  the  organization  of  the  council,  Rev.  President  Kirkland 
was  chosen  Moderator ;  and  Rev.  Charles  Brooks,  Scribe. 
After  the  usual  religious  services,  the  council  examined  the 
doings  of  the  church  and  congregation  relative  to  the  disso- 
lution of  the  pastoral  relation  of  Rev.  Andrew  Bigelow,  and 
found  them  regular.  They  next  examined  the  doings  of  the 
church  and  congregation  relative  to  the  call  of  Mr.  Stetson, 
and  found  them  satisfactory  ;  whereupon  they  voted  to  pro- 
ceed to  ordination.  The  services  were  assigned  as  follows  : 
Introductory  prayer  and  reading  of  the  Scriptures,  by  Rev. 


256  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOltl). 

Charles  Briggs  ;  sermon,  by  Rev.  Convers  Francis  ;  ordain- 
ing prayer,  by  Dr.  Lowell ;  charge,  by  Dr.  Kirkland  ;  right 
hand  of  fellowship,  by  Rev.  George  Ripley  ;  address  to  the 
people,  by  Rev.  Henry  Ware,  jun. ;  concluding  prayer,  by 
Rev.  B.  Whitman  ;  benediction,  by  the  pastor. 

Copies  of  the  within  exercises  were  requested  for  publica- 
tion, but  were  declined. 

"March  14,  1827:  In  the  church,  voted,  first,  that  the  ceremony 
of  owning  the  covenant,  on  the  admission  of  members,  shall,  in 
future,  be  before  the  church  only,  at  the  communion.  Second,  that 
the  fourth  paragraph  of  the  present  covenant  be  hereafter  discon- 
tinued in  the  admission  of  members.  Third,  that  the  pastor  have 
discretionary  authority  to  admit  members  from  other  churches,  of 
whose  Christian  standing  he  is  satisfied,  without  any  public  act." 

"  Dec.  2,  1827  :  The  church  voted  that  the  Lord's  Supper  should 
be  celebrated  on  the  first  sabbath  of  every  other  month." 

"June  11,  1832  :  The  church  voted  that  the  pastor,  at  his  discre- 
tion, be  authorized  to  receive  persons  into  this  church  at  a  private 
interview ;  and  that  no  public  act  shall  be  necessary  to  their  mem- 
bership, except  propounding  them  in  the  usual  form." 

"  1827 :  Deacon  Richard  Hall  bequeathed  to  this  church  the 
sum  of  seven  hundred  dollars,  the  interest  of  which  should  for  ever 
be  distributed  among  the  poor  women  of  this  church." 

"  April  25,  1827 :  The  parish  voted  to  raise  twelve  hundred  dol- 
lars, to  pay  the  minister's  salary  and  other  current  expenses." 

At  the  same  meeting,  voted  to  introduce  the  "  Cambridge 
Collection  "  of  hymns  in  place  of  Dr.  Watts 's  ! 

April  30,  1832 :  The  subject  of  building  a  parsonage- 
house  was  discussed  in  a  parish-meeting,  and  resolutions  to 
build  were  passed,  and  three  thousand  dollars  voted  as  the 
highest  sum  to  be  raised  on  the  credit  of  the  parish.  After 
plans  and  wishes  on  both  sides  had  been  proposed  and 
argued,  that  Christian  benefactor,  who  "  does  good  by  stealth 
and  blushes  to  find  it  fame,"  offered  a  piece  of  land,  as  a  gift 
to  the  parish,  for  the  site  of  a  parsonage.  The  parish  accord- 
ingly voted  "  a  formal  acceptance  of  the  very  generous  offer  of 
Dr.  Daniel  Swan,  which  they  esteem  doubly  valuable  from 
the  amiable  and  accommodating  spirit  in  which  it  has  been 
thus  promptly  made." 

The  committee  chosen  to  build  the  house  were  Messrs. 
Abner  Bartlett,  Peter  C.  Brooks,  and  Jonathan  Brooks, 
Esqs.  It  was  built  immediately,  at  the  cost  of  $3,824.05, 
and  was  acceptable  to  pastor  and  people. 

Fund.  —  This  subject  was  a  cherished  one  by  a  few  earnest 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  257 

members  of  the  parish ;  and,  at  a  public  meeting  on  the  24th 
of  March,  1834,  a  committee  report,  "that  they  find  the  act 
incorporating  trustees  passed  the  9th  of  March,  1827 ;  and 
it  appears  that  Messrs.  Jonathan  Brooks,  Nathaniel  Hall, 
Turell  Tufts,  Dudley  Hall,  Nathan  Adams,  John  Symmes, 
jun.,  and  Jonathan  Porter,  were  incorporated  trustees  by  the 
said  act." 

These  originators  of  the  fund  performed  the  duties  of 
trustees  with  judgment  and  perseverance ;  and  the  result  is, 
that  the  fund  now  amounts  to  $8,600. 

April  17,  1837:  The  parish  voted  "to  raise  $1,400,  to 
pay  the  minister's  salary  and  other  current  expenses." 

March  11,  1839:  A  committee  of  seven  was  appointed 
this  day  to  consider  the  expediency  of  building  a  new  meet- 
ing-house, and  to  procure  plans  and  estimates.  They  finally 
recommended  the  erection  of  a  wooden  house  ;  and  on  the 
2d  of  April,  1839,  the  parish  passed  the  following  vote  : 
"  That  the  present  house  be  taken  down,  and  a  new  one  built 
on  the  same  spot  in  its  stead,  not  to  exceed  in  cost  the  sum 
of  £12,000."  The  building-committee  were  Messrs.  Samuel 
P.  Heywood,  Andrew  Blanchard,  jun.,  George  W.  Porter, 
Samuel  Lapham,  and  Milton  James,  Esqrs. 

Whether  the  parish  had  learned  wisdom  from  former  times 
or  not,  we  cannot  tell ;  but  surely  the  unanimity  and  hearti- 
ness seen  in  these  movements  evince  solid  judgment  and 
Christian  character.  Three  judicious  and  disinterested  gentle- 
men were  chosen,  from  towns  adjacent,  to  apprize  the  pews 
in  the  old  meeting-house  ;  and  they  performed  their  duty 
acceptably,  —  not  awarding  over  twenty  dollars  to  the  best 
pews.  The  parish  took  leave  of  the  old  house  on  Sunday, 
May  12,  1839 ;  on  which  occasion  the  pastor  delivered  a 
valedictory  discourse  from  1  Chron.  xvii.  1.  This  sermon 
was  printed ;  and  no  one,  whose  early  years  were  associated 
with  that  sacred  edifice,  can  read  the  conclusion  of  that  dis- 
course without  a  throbbing  heart  and  a  tearful  eye. 

As  soon  as  the  first  parish  had  voted  to  take  down  the 
old  meeting-house,  the  second  Congregational  Society  and 
the  Universalist  Society  offered  the  use  of  their  meeting- 
houses to  the  first  parish  at  such  times  as  would  be  mutually 
convenient.  We  love  to  record  these  acts  of  Christian  cour- 
tesy ;  for  they  were,  in  this  case,  offerings  of  the  heart. 

The  building-committee  were  instructed  to  procure  a  new 
organ  ;  and  they  say  that  the  donation  of  $1,000,  by  the  Hon. 
•    33 


258  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOED. 

Peter  C.  Brooks,  has  helped  them  to  secure  a  first-rate  instru- 
ment, at  the  price  of  $1,650.  The  cost  of  the  meeting-house 
and  vestry  was  $12,566.22;  of  two  furnaces,  $220;  repairs 
on  clock,  $224  ;  carpets  and  pulpit  trimmings,  &c,  $591.72  ; 
work  on  the  grounds,  &c,  $195.69;  making  a  sum  total  of 
$13,797.63.  The  parish  paid  the  proprietors  of  pews  in  the 
old  meeting-house  $1,260,  and  received  for  said  house  $260. 
That  the  new  house  was  larger  than  was  needed,  was  a  com- 
mon impression  ;  but  the  time  may  come  when  it  will  be 
crowded. 

It  was  solemnly  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God  and  the 
promulgation  of  Christianity  on  Wednesday,  the  4th  of  De- 
cember, 1839.  The  exercises  were  :  Introductory  prayer,  by 
Rev.  Nathaniel  Hall,  of  Dorchester  ;  selection  from  the  Scrip- 
tures, by  Rev.  Edward  B.  Hall,  of  Providence,  R.I. ;  prayer 
of  dedication,  by  Rev.  Convers  Francis,  D.D.,  of  Watertown  ; 
sermon,  by  Rev.  Caleb  Stetson  ;  concluding  prayer,  by  Rev. 
N.  L.  Frothingham,  of  Boston.  It  was  the  intention  of  the 
pastor  and  people  that  the  original  hymns  and  all  the  public 
religious  services  (except  the  sermon)  should  have  been  fur- 
nished, as  the  record  says,  "  by  children  of  this  society."  It 
would  have  been  so,  had  not  the  writer  of  this  history  been 
absent  with  his  family  in  Europe. 

The  preacher  took  1  Cor.  iii.  16  for  his  text.  Worship 
was  his  subject ;  and  it  was  discussed  with  the  power 
and  beauty  peculiar  to  the  speaker.  The  opening  sen- 
tences disclose  the  central  thoughts  of  the  sermon.  "  The 
soul  that  makes  an  offering  is  greater  than  the  gift.  No  ^sa- 
crifice is  so  noble  as  the  spirit  that  hallows  it ;  no  house  built 
by  human  hands,  for  the  service  of  God,  is  so  holy  as  that 
which  he  hath  chosen  and  sanctified  for  himself  in  every 
pure  heart." 

"  O  Thou  that  dost  prefer 
Before  all  temples  the  upright  heart  and  pure." 

Thus,  on  a  spot  sacred  to  many  of  our  hearts,  stands  a  se- 
cond temple  of  the  Most  High,  whose  desk,  we  devoutly  hope, 
will  ever  be  filled  with  able  scholars  and  true  believers ; 
who,  as  teachers,  shall  "  preach,  not  themselves,  but  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  so  as  to  make  men  wise  unto  salvation ; "  and 
who,  as  pastors,  shall  delight  "  to  take  the  lambs  in  their 
arms,  and  carry  them  in  their  bosoms."  Especially  do  we 
hope  that  its  seats  may  ever  be  filled  by  those  who  hunger 
and  thirst  after  God   and  Christ  and  truth  and  righteous- 


ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY.  259 

ness ;  who  will  labor  for  temperance,  liberty,  and  peace  ;  and 
who  will  not  allow  heaven-born,  free  inquiry  to  degenerate 
into  licentiousness,  nor  Christian  devotion  to  freeze  into  for- 
malism. 

According  to  the  New  England  usage,  the  pews  were  sold 
at  auction,  after  a  committee  had  apportioned  upon  them  a 
relative  value,  sufficient  to  cover  the  cost  of  the  house,  vestry, 
&c.  Those  pews  which  were  leased  by  the  parish  paid  seven 
per  cent  on  their  apprized  value.  On  the  sale  of  the  pews,  a 
premium  was  given  for  the  right  of  choice.  The  amount  ac- 
cruing from  the  sale  of  seventy-one  pews  was  $12,397.  There 
were  several  small  items  not  here  noticed.  The  final  balance 
against  the  parish  was  $2,024.47.  In  the  last  report  of  the 
committee  are  these  words :  "  Your  committee  have  much 
pleasure  in  being  able  to  congratulate  the  parish  on  the 
entire  success  with  which  this  enterprise  has  been  accom- 
plished, and  the  good  effects  that  have  resulted  from  it." 

The  church  has  long  enjoyed  the  counsel  and  services  of 
John  Symmes  and  Nathan  Adams,  Esqrs.,  as  deacons. 

March  4,  1840:  "Voted  to  exchange  the  hymn-book 
now  in  use  for  Rev.  Mr.  Greenwood's  selection." 

There  are  few  parishes  in  New  England  which  have  had' 
no  trouble  with  their  Sunday  choir.  Singers  are  dangerously 
sensitive,  and  not  always  blamable,  as  some  imagine.  Their 
popularity  and  success  depend  very  often  upon  popular  taste 
and  fickle  fashion ;  therefore  all  their  feelers  are  out  to  discover 
what  people  think  of  them.  The  poet  and  painter,  depend- 
ing measurably  on  the  same  principles  of  taste  and  fashion, 
are  subjected  to  similar  influences.  The  conflict  between 
rival  singers  is  peculiarly  fierce ;  and  what  committee-man, 
who  has  "  had  the  care  of  the  singing,"  has  not  found  that  he 
must  sometimes  deal  with  the  parish  choir  very  much  as  he 
must  with  sick  children  ?  That  Medford  has  had  some  of 
these  jarring  experiences,  is  most  true ;  and  it  is  as  true  that 
it  has  enjoyed  a  general  exemption.  The  first  parish  has 
owned  generous  hearts  and  sweet  voices,  who  have  given 
their  services  freely  ;  and  the  organ  has  been  played  gratui- 
tously for  years  by  a  gentleman  of  taste  and  education. 

It  was  customary  with  our  early  ancestors  to  appoint  an 
individual  from  the  church  to  read  the  psalm,  two  lines  at  a 
time  ;  after  which  reading,  the  whole  congregation  sang  the 
two  lines.  The  reading  was  so  commonly  done  by  a  deacon, 
that  this  mode  of  announcing  the  psalm  was  called  "  deacon- 


260  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

ing  "  it.  The  scarcity  of  psalm-books  was  the  origin  of  this 
custom ;  and,  when  they  became  so  common  as  to  be  left  in 
the  meeting-house  through  the  week,  the  proposition  to  dis- 
continue the  "  deaconing  "  of  sthe  psalm  was  made,  and  it 
met  with  quick  opposition  from  the  deacons  and  readers. 
The  habit  continued  till  the  Revolution.  It  is  related  of  the 
earliest  days  among  us,  that  one  line  only  was  read  at  a 
time,  but  that  this  custom  gave  place  to  the  reading  of  two 
lines  from  the  following  fact.  In  the  psalm,  which  the  cler- 
gyman had  selected  to  be  "  deaconed  "  and  sung,  occurred 
these  two  lines  :  — 

••  The  Lord  will  come  ;  and  he  will  not 
Keep  silence,  but  speak  out." 

By  making  a  full  stop  at  the  end  of  the  first  line,  very  queer 
work  was  made  with  the  sense  of  the  poem.  Affirmation  and 
contradiction  came  solemnly  into  the  same  breath ;  but  even 
this  bewilderment  was  deepened  by  reading  the  second  line  : 
"  Keep  silence,  but  speak  out." 

April  27,  1846 :  The  subject  of  congregational  singing 
was  brought  before  the  parish  by  a  committee,  who  discussed 
the  topic  well,  and  recommended  "  all  the  members  of  the 
congregation  to  join  the  choir."  We  trust  that  the  intro- 
duction of  music  into  all  our  public  and  private  schools  will 
soon  restore  congregational  heart-and-voice  singing  to  our 
churches  (a  mode  so  piously  adopted  by  our  fathers)  ;  and 
this  will  put  an  end  to  that  impious  mockery  of  devotion, 
now  sometimes  witnessed,  where  infidel  and  licentious  opera- 
singers  are  hired  to  conduct  this  beautiful  part  of  sacred  wor- 
ship. 

The  antislavery  excitement  had  been  conscientiously  car- 
ried into  many  pulpits,  and,  in  some  parishes,  had  caused 
durable  alienations  between  minister  and  people.  The  first 
parish  in  Medford  felt  somewhat  the  flux  and  reflux  of  the 
troubled  waters.     Fiat  justitia,  ruat  coelum. 

April  19,  1847 :  "Voted  to  raise  $1,700,  by  tax,  for  the 
support  of  public  worship  and  the  current  expenses  of  the 
ensuing  year."  On  the  same  day,  "Voted  to  raise,  in  like 
manner,  three  hundred  dollars,  for  the  reduction  of  the  parish 
debt." 

Dec.  7,  1847 :  Rev.  Mr.  Stetson  having  fallen  from  the 
sidewalk  in  Main  Street,  and  much  injured  himself,  the 
parish  met,  and  passed  the  following  vote  :  "  To  take  measures 


ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY.  261 

for  the  supply  of  his  pulpit  during  his  confinement,  without 
trouble  or  expense  to  him." 

The  parish  expenses  Mere  ns  follows  :  In  1825,  $1,208.16  ; 
in  1830,  $1,235.35  ;  in  1840,  $1,701.24  ;  in  1845,  $2,348.01 ; 
in  1850,  $1,523.21. 

The  change  of  the  law  in  Massachusetts  respecting  the 
support  of  ministers,  and  the  consequent  change  of  action  in 
some  parishes,  had  produced  fatal  results.  One  statute  pro- 
vides thus  :  "  No  person  shall  hereafter  be  made  a  member 
of  any  parish  or  religious  society  without  his  consent  in 
writing."  The  inhabitants  of  Medford  were  not  exempt  from 
the  operation  of  these  and  similar  causes.  The  Committee 
of  the  first  parish  saw  their  activity ;  and  when  Mr.  Stetson 
resigned  his  office  of  pastor,  March  24,  1848,  they  say,  in 
reply  to  his  short  and  touching  letter,  that  the  parish,  "  under 
this  state  of  things,  must  very  soon  become  impotent  for  the 
fulfilment  of  its  original  contract  by  any  legal  form  of  taxa- 
tion." They  do  not  separate  from  their  beloved  minister 
without  expressing  their  deep  gratitude  for  his  long  and  ac- 
ceptable services.     Their  letter  to  him  ends  with  these  words  : 

"  With  such  impressions  of  the  character  of  your  great  ministry, 
accept,  dear -sir,  assurances  of  our  affectionate  regard  and  sincere 
wishes  for  the  happiness  and  prosperity  of  yourself  and  family." 

During  his  ministry  of  twenty-one  years,  Mr.  Stetson  bap- 
tized 210  persons  ;  married  143  couples  ;  admitted  to  the 
church  106  communicants ;  and  officiated  at  304  funerals. 

He  was  very  soon  invited  to  settle  as  the  minister  of  the 
Unitarian  Society  in  South  Scituate,  near  Kingston,  his  native 
town  in  the  Old  Colony ;  and  as  he  is  there  now  laboring, 
with  his  warm  heart  and  ready  hand,  the  time  to  speak  of  his 
character  has  not  yet  come.  May  it  be  far  distant !  But, 
when  society  shall  lose  him,  there  will  not  be  wanting  pens 
to  note  his  various  learning,  to  describe  his  brilliant  conver- 
sation, to  honor  his  large  philanthropy,  and  record  his  mini- 
sterial faithfulness. 

The  time  had  now  come,  as  it  was  thought,  to  abandon  the 
former  mode  of  raising  parish  taxes  by  assessments  on  polls 
and  property.  After  much  conference  and  reflection,  the 
parish  resort  to  the  system  of  voluntary  contributions !  A 
paper,  therefore,  is  offered  to  each  individual,  annually,  with 
the  following  preamble  and  obligation :  — 

"  We,  the  subscribers,  in  order  to  testify  our  wish  to  be  consi- 


262  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

dered  members  of  the  first  parish  in  Medford  for  the  present  year, 
do  hereby  agree  to  pay  to  the  collector  of  said  parish  the  sum  of 
money  which  is  set  against  our  names,  towards  the  support  of  pub- 
lic worship  in  said  parish  the  present  year." 

This  temporary  and  precarious  provision  for  the  support  of 
God's  worship  and  the  spread  of  Christianity  does  not  sound 
much  like  those  iron-bound  resolves  of  our  pious  ancestors, 
wherein  life  and  property  were  for  ever  dedicated  to  God 
and  to  his  church.  Whether  "  the  voluntary  system,"  as 
adopted  in  New  England,  is  or  is  not  a  failure,  is  with  some 
no  longer  a  question. 

April  9,  1849  :  "  Voted,  unanimously,  to  give  Rev.  George 
W.  Briggs,  of  Plymouth,  an  invitation  to  settle  with  us  as 
our  minister  in  the  gospel."  $1,200  salary.  April  15,  Mr. 
Briggs  communicated  his  refusal  in  a  short  and  satisfactory 
letter. 

"  June  11,  1849:  Voted  that  the  parish  vote  by  yeas  and 
nays  on  the  motion  to  extend  an  invitation  to  the  Rev.  John 
Pierpont  to  settle  with  them  in  the  ministry  for  one  year, 
with  a  salary  of  one  thousand  dollars,  —  provided  the  con- 
nection be  dissolved  on  either  side  by  giving  a  previous 
notice  of  six  months.     Yeas,  25  ;  nays,  24." 

June  25,  1849 :  The  above  vote  was  amended  so  as  to 
read  as  follows  :  — - 

"  That  this  parish  do  extend  to  the  Rev.  John  Pierpont  an  invi- 
tation to  become  its  pastor  on  a  salary  of  one  thousand  dollars  a 
year,  —  payable  by  quarterly  yearly  payments,  —  and  with  the 
understanding  and  agreement  that  either  of  said  parties  may  put 
an  end  to  the  connection  by  giving  to  the  other  party  six  months' 
notice,  in  writing,  of  his  or  their  intention  so  to  do." 

July  9,  1849 :  At  a  meeting  of  the  parish  this  day,  the 
following  was  introduced  and  voted :  — 

"  Eesolved,  that,  in  view  of  the  history  of  this  parish,  its  present 
condition,  and  its  future  prospects,  it  is  regarded  as  inexpedient,  and 
hazardous  to  our  best  interests  as  a  Christian  church,  for  our  pastor 
to  preach  any  political  abolition  sermons  or  discourses  in  our 
pulpit  on  the  sabbath." 

This  vote  was  interpreted  by  some  as  "  limiting  the  topics 
upon  which  the  pastor  is  to  be  at  liberty  to  treat  in  the  pul- 
pit." This,  however,  was  disclaimed  by  the  friends  of  the 
resolution.     On  the  23d  of  July,  the  vote  was  unanimously 


ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY.  2()3 

rescinded.  Then  other  resolutions  were  introduced,  but  no 
final  action  had  upon  them. 

Finding  the  parish  so  nearly  divided  in  their  vote  of  invi- 
tation, the  friends  of  the  pastor  elect  began  to  collect  the  sig- 
natures of  those  members  of  the  parish  who  were  not  present 
when  the  vote  was  taken,  and  who  were  in  favor  of  giving 
the  call.  Twenty-six  legal  voters  signed  ;  twenty-one  refused 
to  act,  and  therefore  are  not  counted  on  either  side ;  ten  per- 
sons, not  legal  voters,  who  considered  themselves  as  belong- 
ing to  the  parish,  subscribed ;  and  four  of  those  who  voted 
in  the  negative.  After  anxious  and  patient  weighing  of  the 
whole  matter,  with  the  assistance  of  friends,  Mr.  Pierpont 
accepted  the  invitation,  July  5,  1849. 

July  9,  seven  gentlemen  were  appointed  a  committee  "  to 
communicate  with  Mr.  Pierpont  on  the  subject  of  his  settle- 
ment, and  for  conducting  and  making  arrangements  for  his 
installation."  This  committee  report,  April  8,  1850,  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  special  committee  of  the  first  parish  of 
Medford,  appointed,  July  9,  1849,  to  make  arrangements  with  the 
Rev.  John  Pierpont  for  the  commencement  of  his  pastoral  labors  in 
its  pulpit,  on  conference  with  the  pastor  and  with  his  concurrence,  — 

"  Voted  to  dispense  with  the  ceremony  of  an  ecclesiastical  coun- 
cil for  the  installation  of  our  pastor. 

"  Voted  that  the  committee  hereby  ordain  the  Rev.  John  Pier ! 
pont  to  become  the  pastor  of  the  first  parish  of  Medford,  and 
install  him  in  that  office. 

"  Voted  that  the  term  of  his  engagement  commence  on  the  first 
day  of  August,  1849,  and  his  salary  be  paid  to  him  from  that  date, 
quarterly,  as  provided  in  the  terms  of  the  vote  of  his  election  to  the 
office  of  pastor  of  this  parish. 

"  Voted  to  accept  the  report  of  the  committee." 

Having  thus  brought  down  the  ecclesiastical  history  of  the 
first  parish,  through  all  its  changes,  to  the  ministry  of  its 
present  pastor,  common  usage  requires  that  I  here  take  leave 
of  it.  It  has  been  my  constant  endeavor  to  record  the  impor- 
tant events  in  each  ministry  as  I  found  them  in  the  records 
of  the  town  and  parish.  That  some  representative  facts  may 
have  escaped  my  notice,  is  quite  possible ;  and  that  undue 
stress  is  laid  upon  some  of  the  facts  which  I  have  noted,  is 
equally  possible.  I  can  only  say,  that  I  have  wished  to  give 
a  perfect  daguerreotype  likeness  of  every  feature  of  the  his- 
tory. 


264  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

In  looking  back  through  two  hundred  years,  I  can  safely 
say,  that  Medford  has  not  had  more  than  its  share  of  religious 
trials  ;  and  that,  under  them,  it  has  borne  itself  with  intelli- 
gence, dignity,  and  moderation.  If  the  troubles  of  two  cen- 
turies be  gathered  into  the  mind  in  one  cluster,  they  seem  to 
be  many  and  great ;  but,  when  historically  distributed  over 
so  long  a  period,  they  are  few  and  far  between.  The  ques- 
tions in  Medford  which  excited  the  deepest  interest,  and 
sometimes  called  out  the  warmest  words,  were  those  relating 
to  the  location  of  a  new  meeting-house ;  the  terms  of  the 
minister's  settlement,  and  the  amount  of  his  salary ;  the 
assessment  of  taxes  ;  the  changing  value  of  money,  and 
the  modes  of  raising  it ;  the  alteration  of  a  creed ;  and  the 
freedom  of  the  pulpit.  Of  all  these  I  felt  myself  called 
upon  to  be  recorder,  and  not  judge  ;  and  therefore  have 
given  the  facts,  without  obtruding  my  private  opinion. 

A  few  words  concerning  Sunday  schools,  and  this  particu- 
lar history  closes.  Since  1820,  Sunday  schools  have  multiplied 
greatly  in  New  England,  and  books  and  manuals  for  them 
have  abounded.  The  first  parish  early  followed  the  auspi- 
cious good  examples,  and  established  a  school,  which  had  its 
superintendent ;  also  a  teacher  to  each  six  children ;  and  a 
juvenile  library,  accessible  to  all  the  pupils.  This  school  has 
had  the  best  instructors ;  and  so  deep  has  grown  the  interest 
in  Sunday  schools  and  in  the  other  schools  of  New  England, 
that  ours  is  called  the  "  children's  age."  It  was  believed  they 
were  needed,  because  parents  did  not  sufficiently  inculcate 
Christian  doctrine  and  morals  in  their  families,  nor  did  the 
ministers  communicate  much  juvenile  instruction,  nor  could 
the  public  schools.  There  are  no  scales  that  can  weigh 
moral  effects ;  but  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  salutary 
influences  of  Sunday  schools  have  been  immense.  The 
whole  force  of  the  common-school  system  being  directed  to 
unfold  and  sharpen  the  intellect  mainly,  moral  culture  in 
them  is  only  incidental.  A  consequence  is,  a  most  dispro- 
portionate development  of  mere  intellect ;  as  if  the  aim  of 
life  was  to  empower  a  child  to  gain  money  and  secure  office. 
The  consequence  of  this  is,  that  the  community  becomes 
filled  with  men  whose  extensive  knowledge,  acute  reason, 
boundless  ambition,  and  unscrupulous  selfishness,  make  them 
leaders  in  public  plunder  and  commercial  infidelity.  The 
more  enlightened  the  intellect  becomes,  unguided  by  con- 
science, the  more  adroit  it  makes  the  villain.     Mere  secular 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  265 

instruction  is  no  security  against  crime  ;  therefore  the  Sun- 
day school  came  to  the  relief  and  rescue  of  society  when  it 
maintained  that  something  more  was  necessary  to  make  men 
good  than  to  make  them  intelligent.  It  taught  that  the  affec- 
tions are  the  source  of  happiness ;  and  it  endeavored  to 
develop  the  moral  powers,  so  as  to  introduce  God  and  Christ 
and  truth  and  heaven  as  permanent  occupants  of  the  soul. 
If  it  be  true  that  the  acquisition  of  mere  science  and  litera- 
ture imparts  no  adequate  power  to  subdue  vicious  habit  or 
restrain  criminal  passion,  but  often  gives  keenness  to  their 
edge  and  certainty  to  their  aim,  it  follows,  as  a  solemn  conse- 
quence, that  every  patriot,  philanthropist,  and  Christian,  is 
sacredly  bound  to  patronize  the  Sunday  school. 

The  "  communion  plate  "  belonging  to  the  First  Church 
has  its  history,  which  is  as  follows  :  — 

Two  silver  cups,  bought  by  the  church  in  1719. 

One      „         „     gift  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Ward,  1725. 

One      „         „  „     Deacon  Thomas  Willis. 

Two     „         „  „     Mr.  Francis  Leathe,  1742. 

One      „         „  „     Thomas  Brooks,  Esq.,  1759. 

One  large  silver  tankard,  with  a  cover, — gift  of  Rev.  Ebenezer 
Turell,  1760. 

One  smaller  silver  tankard,  with  a  cover,  —  gift  of  Francis  and 
Mary  Whitmore,  1761. 

One  large,  open,  silver  can,  —  gift  of  Hon.  Isaac  Royal,  1781. 

One  silver  dish,  —  gift  of  Hon.  Isaac  Royal,  1789. 

One       „       „  „     Deacon  Richard  Hall,  1814. 

Two      „     cups,  „     Mr.  William  Wyman,  1815. 

Two      „     flagons,        „     Hon.  P.  C.  Brooks,  1823. 

One      „     dish,  „     Mr.  David  Bucknam,  1824. 

One  antique  silver  cup  ;  donor  and  date  unknown. 

One  silver  spoon ;  „       „       „  „ 

Two  silver  cans,  — gift  of  Turell  Tufts,  Esq.,  1842. 

Previously  to  1759,  there  were  the  following :  — 

One  pewter  flagon,  —  gift  of  Hon.  John  Usher. 

One       „  „  „     Deacon  John  Whitmore. 

Four     „  „  bought  by  the  church. 

Two  „  dishes,  —  gift  of  Thomas  Tufts,  Esq. ;  and  two  pew- 
ter ones,  bought  by  the  church. 

One  silver  baptismal  basin,  —  gift  of  Mr.  John  Willis,  1755. 

Colonel  Royal  gave  a  silver  cup  to  the  church  in  Medford ; 
but,  he  being  an  absentee,  suspected  of  not  liking  the  Amer- 
can  revolution,  his  agent  could  not  deliver  the  cup  without 
legislative  authority.  The  following  public  document  will 
sufficiently  explain  itself:  — 

34 


266  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

"COMMONWEALTH     OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 

"In  Senate,  Oct.  26,  1781. 

"  On  the  petition  of  David  Osgood,  pastor  of  the  church  of  Christ 
in  Medford,  in  behalf  of  said  church  :  — 

"  Resolved,  That,  for  the  reason  therein  mentioned,  the  agent  of  the 
estate  of  Isaac  Royal,  Esq.,  late  of  Medford,  an  absentee,  be,  and  is 
hereby,  directed  to  deliver  a  certain  silver  cup,  referred  to  in  the 
said  petition,  belonging  to  the  said  absentee's  estate,  to  the  said 
David  Osgood,  for  the  use  of  the  church  in  Medford,  agreeably  to 
the  prayer  of  the  said  petition,  and  take  a  receipt  for  the  same. 

"  Sent  down  for  concurrence. 

"  Samuel  Adams,  President. 

"  In  the  House  of  Representatives,  Oct.  27,  1781. 
"  Read  and  concurred.  Nathaniel  Gorham,  Speaker. 

"Approved.  John  Hancock. 

"  A  true  copy. 
"Attest,  John  Avery,  Sec." 

"  Medford,  Nov.  6,  1781. 
"  Received  of  Simon  Tufts,  Esq.,  agent  for  the  estate  of  Isaac 
Royal,  Esq.,  an  absentee,  the  silver  cup  mentioned  in  the  above 
order  of  court.  David  Osgood." 

By  a  resolve  of  the  church,  in  1824,  the  pewter  dish  was 
sold,  and  a  silver  one  purchased,  —  thus  making  the  furniture 
of  the  table  entire  and  appropriate. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Rev.  Aaron  Porter,         Settled       Feb.  11,  1713.  Died      Jan.  23,  1722. 


Ebenezer  Turell, 
David  Osgood. 
Andrew  Bigelow, 
Caleb  Stetson, 
John  Pierpont, 


Nov.  25,   1724.  „         Dec.    8,  1778. 

Sept.  14,  1774.  „        Dec.  12,  1822. 

July    9,  1823.  Resigned  Jan.     9,  1827. 

Feb.   28,  1827.  „         Mar.  24,  1848. 
Aug.    1,  1849. 


Desiring  that  full  justice  should  be  done  to  the  history  of 
each  religious  society  in  the  town,  I  gave  public  notice  in 
1853,  that  whatever  account  should  be  furnished  of  any  so- 
ciety, by  its  pastor  or  committee,  should  be  inserted  in  these 
pages.  The  following  notices  have  been  sent,  and  they  are 
accordingly  printed  without  alteration  ;  and  I  have  only  to 
wish  they  had  been  more  ample  in  details.  It  should  be 
recorded  of  all  the  religious  societies  of  Medford,  that  they 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  267 

live  together  in  peace.  All  of  them  are  faithful  in  laboring 
for  the  same  great  and  holy  end,  —  the  salvation  of  souls  ;  and 
from  my  inmost  heart  I  wish  them  all  prosperity. 

SECOND    CONGREGATIONAL    SOCIETY. 

Early  in  June,  1823,  after  the  death  of  Rev.  David  Osgood, 
and  soon  after  the  settlement  of  Rev.  Andrew  Bigelow  as 
pastor  of  the  first  church,  it  appeared  that  the  members  of 
the  church  entertained  different  views  of  Christian  doctrines  ; 
whereupon  several  members  applied  respectfully  for  letters  of 
dismission,  and  began  to  meet  by  themselves  for  the  worship 
of  God.  In  their  letters  addressed  to  the  church,  they  dis- 
claim personal  unfriendliness,  and  base  their  action  solely  on 
the  ground  of  different  views  of  the  gospel ;  particularly,  as 
they  say,  "  respecting  the  doctrines  of  the  Trinity,  the  native 
character  of  man,  the  divinity  and  atonement  of  Christ,  re- 
generation, and  others  allied  to  these." 

The  following  is  the  closing  extract  from  their  request :  — 

"  Under  these  impressions,  dear  brethren,  we,  conscientiously  and 
in  the  fear  of  God,  ask  from  the  church  letters  of  dismission,  for  the 
purpose  of  forming  ourselves,  in  a  regular  manner,  into  a  new  and 
separate  church  ;  and  while  we  deeply  lament  the  necessity,  which 
we  think  exists,  for  such  a  measure,  we  wish  to  adopt  it  from  the 
sole  desire  of  enjoying  religious  instruction  which  accords  with  our 
views  of  the  system  of  truth  laid  down  in  the  gospel  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ." 

The  following  is  the  closing  extract  of  the  reply  of  the 
church,  after  some  reasoning  and  remonstrance  :  — 

"  "We  shall  then  feel  ourselves  compelled  in  conscience,  on  the 
principles  we  have  avowed  (viz.,  privilege  to  determine  our  own 
religious  convictions),  to  allow  the  liberty  you  ask.  In  such  case, 
painful  as  the  severance  is,  it  will  still  meet  with  our  sanction  ;  and, 
should  your  purpose  remain  unchanged,  we  formally  consent  by  this 
our  letter. 

"  In  conclusion,  permit  us  to  assure  you,  that,  whether  in  union 
with  or  separated  from  us,  we  shall  ever  cherish  a  lively  and  affec- 
tionate solicitude  for  your  spiritual  and  immortal  welfare.  We 
wish  you  grace,  mercy,  and  peace  from  our  common  Lord.  It  is 
our  hearts'  desire,  that,  whatever  new  relations  you  may  mutually 
form,  you  may  be  edified  therein,  and  may  be  built  up  in  the  most 
holy  faith  ;  and  we  implore  of  the  Lord,  that  both  we  and  you,  and 
all  his  people,  may  glorify  him  with  that  holiness  which  becomes 
his  house  for  ever." 


268  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

On  the  20th  of  June,  1823,  a  public  meeting  was  held,  and 
a  new  society  formed,  called  "  The  Second  Congregational 
Society  of  Medford."  After  the  following  sabbath,  the 
members  of  the  new  society  fitted  up  a  hall  in  the  neighbor- 
hood as  a  temporary  place  of  worship,  and  their  members 
gradually  increased. 

Their  pulpit  was  supplied  by  neighboring  clergymen,  and 
from  the  Theological  Seminary  in  Andover,  till  Oct.  2; 
when  seventeen  members  from  the  first  church,  with  nine 
members  of  other  churches  who  had  removed  lately  to  Med- 
ford, bringing  with  them  letters  of  dismission,  were  organized 
into  a  church  by  an  ecclesiastical  council,  of  which  Rev. 
William  Greenough,  of  Newton,  was  chosen  Moderator ;  and 
Rev.  B.  B.  Wisner,  of  Boston,  Scribe. 

The  names  of  the  original  members  were  as  follows  (the 
seventeen  first  mentioned  coming  from  the  first  church  of 
Medford,  the  others  from  abroad)  :  — 

Galen  James,  Jesse  Crosby,  Thomas  Jameson,  Gilbert 
Blanchard,  Mary  Clay,  Hephsibah  Fitch,  Nancy  Fitch,  Mary 
Magoun,  Mary  Blanchard,  Elizabeth  Baily,  Harriet  G. 
Rogers,  Ann  Clay,  Mary  R.  James,  Mary  Blanchard,  2d, 
Nancy  Jameson,  Hannah  Crosby,  Mary  Kidder,  James  For- 
sayth,  Nathaniel  Jaquith,  Thompson  Kidder,  Thomas  Pratt, 
John  T.  White,  Jennet  Forsayth,  Phebe  Pratt,  Cynthia 
White,  Lucy  Blanchard. 

An  act  incorporating  the  new  society  passed  the  Legisla- 
ture, Feb.  21,  1824,  and  measures  were  adopted  for  the 
erection  of  a  house  of  worship  ;  which,  when  completed,  was 
dedicated  to  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  Sept.  1,  1824 ; 
and,  at  the  time  of  the  dedication,  Rev.  Aaron  Warner,  who 
had  labored  with  acceptance  nearly  from  the  time  of  the  or- 
ganization of  the  church,  was  installed  its  first  pastor. 

His  ministry  of  eight  years  was  eminently  successful. 
There  were  many  accessions  to  the  congregation,  and  above 
a  hundred  additions  to  the  church,  in  which  his  memory  is 
most  affectionately  cherished. 

He  was  dismissed  at  his  own  request,  on  account  of  infirm 
health  in  his  family,  Oct.  2,  1832. 

His  successor  was  Rev.  Gordon  Winslow  ;  ordained  June, 
12,  1833,  and  dismissed  Nov.  12,  1834. 

After  him,  Rev.  Levi  Pratt  was  installed  pastor,  Aug.  19, 
1835,  who  died  of  fever,  in  the  midst  of  his  labors,  much 
lamented,  Aug.  9,  1837. 


ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY.  269 

The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  A.  R.  Baker,  who  was  ordained 
April  85,  1838. 

During  his  ministry,  several  precious  seasons  of  revival 
were  enjoyed,  the  church  and  congregation  increased,  and 
larger  accommodations  in  the  house  of  worship  became  neces- 
sary. From  this  time,  Zion's  children  began  to  say,  in  pro- 
phetic language,  "  Give  us  room,  that  Ave  may  dwell ;  "  and 
the  church  became,  in  an  important  sense,  the  mother  of 
churches.  Besides  furnishing  members  from  time  to  time 
for  the  organization  of  several  evangelical  churches  of  other 
denominations,  in  July,  1847,  she  sent  out  a  strong  colony, 
sixty  in  number,  to  form  the  Mystic  church  of  Medford, 
now  a  nourishing  society. 

Mr.  Baker,  after  an  efficient  and  successful  ministry  of 
over  ten  years,  was  dismissed  by  the  decision  of  an  ecclesias- 
tical council  in  September,  1848. 

For  several  years  after,  the  church  was  without  a  settled 
pastor,  passing  through  more  than  usual  trials  incident  to 
such  a  condition;  until,  Feb.  25,  1852,  Rev.  E.  P.  Marvin, 
who  had  been  supplying  the  desk  for  six  months  previous, 
was  installed  pastor.  Under  his  labors,  the  society  has  re- 
gained more  than  its  former  peace  and  prosperity. 

In  the  spring  of  1853,  they  harmoniously  renewed  their 
church  edifice,  —  replacing  the  desk  with  an  elegant  modern 
one,  and  the  pews  with  those  more  commodious  and  plea- 
sant ;  and,  by  painting  and  furnishing  tastefully,  they  have 
rendered  their  church  one  of  the  most  appropriate  and  plea- 
sant places  of  religious  worship.  The  members  of  the  church 
now  number  about  170  or  180;  and,  as  they  look  back  at 
their  former  experience,  they  are  ready,  no  doubt,  to  adopt 
the  language  of  devout  Samuel :  "  Hitherto  hath  the  Lord 
helped  us." 

UNIVERSALIST    SOCIETY. 

This  society  was  formed  March  10,  1831.  The  meeting- 
house was  built  in  1832,  and  completed  Aug.  10th  of  that  year. 
The  desk  was  supplied  by  transient  preachers  till  the  follow- 
ing spring.  In  April,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Winslow  W.  Wright 
was  installed  as  pastor.  He  resigned  in  April,  1835,  on 
account  of  ill  health.  Rev.  Joseph  Bahfield  was  soon  settled 
as  his  successor,  but  resigned  in  1838.  Dr.  Hosea  Ballou 
was  settled  in  April,  1838.     The  meeting-house  was  remo- 


270  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

delled  and  enlarged  in  1850.  The  society  was  kindly  invited 
by  the  Unitarian  parish  to  use  their  house  for  worship  while 
the  repairs  were  making.  This  invitation  was  accepted. 
Rev.  Dr.  Ballou,  having  been  called  to  the  Presidency  of 
Tufts's  College,  resigned  in  August,  1853  ;  and,  in  April, 
1854,  the  present  pastor,  G.  V.  Maxham,  was  ordained. 

The  church  was  organized  Jan.  19,  1834 ;  at  which  time 
twenty -three  persons  joined  it. 

This  is  the  only  society  of  this  denomination  which  has 
been  gathered  in  Medford.  It  has  great  prosperity ;  and  its 
Sunday  school  contains,  on  an  average,  one  hundred  and  fifty 
pupils. 

METHODIST    SOCIETY. 

In  the  year  1843,  no  Methodist  Episcopal  church  existed 
in  this  place.  Some  twelve  or  fifteen  individuals,  members 
of  that  denomination,  connected  either  with  a  church  in 
Charlestown  or  the  one  in  Maiden,  were  accustomed  to  meet 
each  week  and  hold  a  class-meeting,  which  was  conducted  by 
one  of  their  number  who  had  been  appointed  leader. 

During  the  winter  of  1843-4,  Rev.  J.  W.  Whitman,  sta- 
tioned at  Maiden,  and  whose  circuit  included  this  town  also, 
preached  several  times,  in  a  small  building,  to  attentive  con- 
gregations ;  and,  the  Holy  Spirit  accompanying  his  earnest 
endeavors,  a  gracious  revival  was  the  result,  and  about  sixty 
individuals  were  brought  under  a  saving  religious  influence. 
In  the  spring  of  1844,  "  Father  Pickering,"  a  veteran  soldier 
of  our  Lord,  was  stationed,  by  the  New  England  Conference, 
at  this  place.  With  true  apostolic  zeal,  he  organized  a  church, 
gathered  the  trembling  ones  within  the  fold,  and,  by  his 
heavenly  teachings,  led  them  on  to  more  perfect  trust  and 
confidence  in  Christ.  During  this  year  also,  and  under  his 
special  supervision,  —  the  result  of  the  earnest  self-denial  of 
some,  and  the  generous  kindness  of  others,  —  a  plain,  neat, 
and  commodious  house  of  worship  was  erected. 

In  1845,  Rev.  G.  W.  Frost  was  appointed  to  labor  here ; 
and  was  succeeded,  in  1846,  by  Rev.  J.  Augustus  Adams,  a 
thorough  scholar  and  an  earnest  Christian,  who  bent  all  his 
energies  to  the  great  work  of  guiding  souls  heavenward. 
The  year  following,  Rev.  J.  Shepard,  a  good  man  and  full  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  was  pastor. 

In  1848,  Rev.  I.  W.  Tucker  occupied  the  same  station; 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  271 

and  was  followed,  in  1849,  by  Rev.  Willard  Smith,  who,  in 
labors  more  abundant,  was  an  instrument,  in  the  hands  of 
God,  of  an  untold  amount  of  good  in  this  portion  of  God's 
heritage.  He  labored  here  two  years ;  and  tears,  such  as 
were  shed  for  Paul,  expressed  the  sorrow  felt  at  his  depart- 
ure. 

During  the  years  1851-2,  the  station  was  filled  by  Rev. 
A.  D.  Morrill,  who,  as  usual,  labored  with  his  whole  soul  for 
the  spiritual  benefit  of  his  charge. 

In  the  year  1853,  Rev.  John  Perkins,  in  the  spirit  of  his 
Master,  and  with  tender  love  and  zeal,  performed  the  duties 
of  pastor. 

He  was  followed  by  Rev.  Charles  Noble ;  who  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  Edward  S.  Best,  to  whose  watch-care  it  is 
now  intrusted. 

A  prosperous  and  interesting  sabbath  school  has,  from  the 
first,  been  connected  with  the  church,  where  much  good  has 
been  done  for  the  rising  generation. 

Since  the  commencement  of  the  present  year  (1855),  the 
house  has  been  neatly  repaired,  and  now  presents  an  inviting 
aspect  to  those  who  worship  there. 


BAPTIST    SOCIETY. 

The  origin  of  the  first  Baptist  Society  in  Medford  was  in 
the  summer  of  1840,  when  a  number  of  persons  of  the  Bap- 
tist persuasion,  some  of  whom  had  long  been  residents  in  the 
town,  associated  themselves  together  for  the  purpose  of  sus- 
taining the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  and  especially  for  open- 
ing a  place  of  worship  for  the  special  accommodation  of  the 
many  strangers  who  patrolled  our  streets  and  thronged  the 
public  square  on  the  sabbath.  The  use  of  the  Town  Hall 
was  secured ;  and  public  worship  commenced  on  the  16th 
of  August,  1840.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Lucius  M.  Bolles,  of 
Boston,  Secretary  of  the  Baptist  Missionary  Union,  officiated 
as  clergyman,  and  preached  to  an  interested  and  attentive 
audience. 

The  meetings  were  continued,  with  growing  zeal,  until 
late  in  the  summer  of  1841,  when  a  church  was  formed,  con- 
sisting of  twelve  members  ;  and  George  W.  Bosworth,  a 
graduate  of  the  Newton  Theological  Institution,  was  invited 
to  become  its  pastor.     A  council  of  delegates  from  neighbor- 


272  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

ing  Baptist  churches  was  convened,  Sept.  8,  1841,  in  the 
vestry  of  the  Second  Congregational  meeting-house.  After 
due  organization,  the  council  proceeded  to  examine  the  arti- 
cles of  faith  and  covenant  of  the  church  ;  which  were  found 
to  be  substantially  the  same  as  the  New  Hampshire  articles, 
so  called,  and  such  as  are  generally  adopted  by  the  regular 
Calvinistic  Baptist  churches  in  New  England.  The  council 
then  proceeded  to  examine  the  pastor  elect ;  and,  after  a  brief 
adjournment,  the  public  services  of  recognizing  the  church 
were  performed.  At  the  same  time,  and  by  the  above-named 
council,  George  W.  Bosworth  was  publicly  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry.  Rev.  Mr.  Bosworth  labored  in 
his  infant  church,  with  great  acceptance  and  success,  for 
nearly  five  years ;  when  he  found  that  the  demands  of  his 
family  required  a  larger  salary,  and  he  removed  to  a  wider 
field  of  labor.  He  reluctantly  yielded  to  a  necessity,  and 
left  Medford  early  in  1846,  greatly  to  the  grief  of  the 
church. 

A  society  was  formed  to  act  in  concert  with  the  church ; 
and  was  incorporated,  under  the  general  act  of  incorporation 
of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  May  29,  1842,  on 
application  of  Moses  Parsons,  Lewis  C.  Sorntas,  Robert  L. 
Ells,  William  Parsons,  and  others. 

Many  inconveniences  were  experienced  by  the  church  and 
society  from  worshipping  in  a  place  so  common,  and  appro- 
priated to  so  many  different  uses,  as  the  Town  Hall.  Pre- 
parations were  now  made  for  building  a  plain  and  neat  chapel 
for  the  better  accommodation  of  the  worshippers.  The  very 
kind  and  fraternal  feeling  of  Dudley  Hall,  Esq.,  enabled 
them  to  secure  a  convenient  and  eligible  piece  of  land,  ad- 
joining the  old  burying-ground,  near  the  centre  of  the  town. 
The  society  proceeded  to  erect  their  chapel  during  the  sum- 
mer of  1842 ;  being  kindly  assisted  by  some  of  their  fellow- 
citizens,  among  whom  were  the  late  Peter  C.  Brooks,  Esq., 
and  others,  and  also  by  friends  of  adjoining  towns. 

On  the  14th  day  of  September,  1842,  their  chapel,  being 
finished  and  ready  for  occupancy,  was  publicly  dedicated  to 
the  service  and  worship  of  Almighty  God.  The  church  and 
society,  rejoicing  that  they  could  now  worship  under  their 
own  vine  and  fig-tree,  gladly  removed  to  their  chapel,  where 
they  still  worship.  After  the  removal  of  Mr.  Bosworth,  the 
church  and  society  were  for  some  months  destitute  of  a  pas- 
tor ;  when  they  united  in  the  election  of  Rev.  B.  C.  Grafton, 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  273 

formerly  of  West  Cambridge,  as  their  pastor.  Rev.  Mr. 
Grafton  continued  but  a  few  months  in  this  relation,  leaving 
the  people  again  destitute  of  an  under-shepherd.  Some 
months  now  elapsed ;  when  Mr.  G.  F.  Danforth,  a  graduate 
of  New  Hampden,  N.H.,  was  called,  publicly  ordained,  and 
installed  as  pastor.  Rev.  Mr.  Danforth  resigned  his  pastoral 
relation  after  the  brief  period  of  little  more  than  a  year.  A 
destitution  of  some  months  followed,  when  the  people  again 
succeeded  in  calling  a  minister  to  supply  the  sacred  desk  ; 
and  the  Rev.  E.  K.  Fuller,  of  Somerset,  Mass.,  was  invited 
to  fill  the  sacred  office.  Rev.  Mr.  Fuller  commenced  his 
labors  on  the  1st  of  April,  1849,  and  continued  his  work, 
with  much  success,  until  April  1,  1854,  —  a  period  of  five 
years. 

Notwithstanding  the  too  frequent  changes  in  the  pastoral 
relation,  it  has  been  the  good  fortune  of  this  church  and 
society  to  enjoy  its  full  share  of  increase  and  prosperity. 
Since  its  organization,  two  new  societies  of  the  Protestant 
faith  have  been  formed  in  Medford,  and  two  new  churches 
have  been  built.  Ours  is  the  only  Baptist  church  in  the 
town  ;  but  the  increase  of  population,  and  the  spread  of  our 
faith,  have  combined  to  make  our  present  place  of  worship 
much  too  limited  to  accommodate  the  regular  worshippers ; 
and  we  contemplate,  as  early  as  practicable,  the  removal  of  our 
meeting-house,  and  the  erection  of  another,  of  more  modern 
architecture,  and  much  larger  dimensions.  We  also  take 
pleasure  in  acknowledging  the  generous  gift  of  a  piece  of 
ground,  by  Dudley  Hall,  Esq.,  for  the  purpose  of  enlarging 
our  meeting-house  lot.  The  church  and  society  have  recently 
been  so  fortunate  as  to  secure  the  pastoral  services  *of  Rev. 
Thomas  E.  Keely,  the  former  successful  pastor,  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Kingston,  Mass.  That 
his  labors  may  be  owned  and  blessed  of  the  great  Head  of  the 
church,  and  that  the  little  one  may  continue,  increase,  and 
multiply,  bringing  glory  to  God  and  salvation  to  souls,  is  the 
prayer  of  the  flock. 

MYSTIC    CHURCH. 

This  third  Congregational  Society  in  Medford  had  its 
origin  in  the  second  society.  From  its  printed  documents, 
the  following  history  is  extracted :  — 

"  In  consequence  of  some  difference  of  opinion  in  the  church,  a 
35 


274  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOKI). 

conference  of  four  neighboring  clergymen  was  called,  in  March' 
1847,  to  whom  were  submitted  statistics  and  other  facts,  showing  the 
necessity  of  increased  church  accommodation  for  the  orthodox 
Congregationalists.  At  this  conference,  Rev.  Mr.  Baker  and  a 
large  number  of  the  brethren  of  the  Second  Church  were  present. 
As  the  result,  it  was  the  unanimous  opinion  of  the  clergymen  from 
abroad,  and  nearly  as  unanimously  the  opinion  of  the  brethren  who 
were  present,  that  it  was  highly  expedient  that  a  new  church  and 
congregation  should  be  formed. 

"  In  pursuance  of  this  advice,  with  the  nearly  unanimous  consent 
of  the  Second  Church,  separate  worship  was  established  in  the  Town 
Hall,  May  9,  1847.  A  new  church,  called  the  Mystic  Church,  was 
here  organized,  with  sixty  members,  by  a  large  ecclesiastical  coun- 
cil, the  6th  of  July.  Rev.  Abner  B.  Warner,  a  nephew  of  Rev. 
Professor  Warner,  the  first  pastor  of  the  Second  Church,  was 
installed  over  the  Mystic  Church,  Oct.  27  of  the  same  year. 

"  FORM    OF    ADMISSION.  ADDRESS. 

"  Beloved  Friends,  —  You  have  presented  yourselves  before  God 
and  his  people,  and  the  world,  to  make  a  public  profession  of  your 
faith,  and  to  take  on  you  the  bonds  of  an  everlasting  covenant. 

"  We  trust  you  have  well  considered  the  nature  of  this  transac- 
tion, the  most  solemn  and  momentous  in  which  a  mortal  can  engage  ; 
that  you  are  prepared  by  divine  grace  to  renew  in  public  that  con- 
secration to  God  which  you  have  made  in  private ;  and  that  you 
deem  it  a  duty,  as  well  as  a  privilege,  thus  to  unite  yourselves  with 
the  followers  of  Christ. 

"  Having  been  duly  examined  and  propounded,  and  having  given 
your  assent  in  private  to  the  Articles  of  Faith,  you  will  now  pub- 
licly profess  the  same. 

"  CONFESSION   OF   FAITH. 

"Art.  1.  —  You  believe  that  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New 
Testaments  are  given  by  inspiration  of  God,  and  that  they  contain 
the  only  perfect  rule  of  faith  and  practice. 

"  Art.  2.  —  You  believe  in  the  existence  of  one  eternal,  un- 
changeable, and  glorious  God,  subsisting  in  three  persons,  Father, 
Son,  and  Holy  Ghost ;  and  that  these  three  so  exist  that  they  are 
really  and  truly  God. 

"  Art.  3.  —  You  believe  that  God  made  all  things  for  himself, 
and  that  he  governs  the  universe  according  to  the  counsel  of  his 
own  will,  and  that  all  events  will  be  made  subservient  to  his  wise 
and  benevolent  designs. 

"  Art.  4.  —  You  believe  that  man  was  created  in  the  image  of 
God,  in  a  state  of  rectitude  and  holiness;  that  he  fell  from  that^ 
state  by  transgressing  the  divine  law  ;  and  that,  in  consequence  of 
the  original  apostasy,  the  heart  of  man,  in 'his  natural  state,  is  desti- 
tute of  holiness,  and  inclined  to  evil ;  and  that  all  men,  previous  to 
regeneration,  are  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins. 


ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY.  275 

"  Art.  5.  —  You  believe  that  Christ  Jesus  has,  by  his  sufferings 
and  death,  made  atonement  for  sin ;  and  that  all  who  are  saved  are 
justified  wholly  by  grace,  through  the  redemption  which  there  is  in 
Christ. 

"  Art.  6.  —  You  believe  tbat  salvation  is  freely  offered  to  all 
men,  and  that  all  men  are  under  obligation  immediately  to  embrace 
the  gospel ;  but  that  such  is  the  depravity  of  the  human  heart,  that 
no  man  will  come  to  Christ  until  he  is  renewed  by  the  special 
agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

"  Art.  7.  —  You  believe  that  all  who  embrace  the  gospel  were, 
from  the  beginning,  chosen  unto  salvation,  through  sanctification  of 
the  Spirit  and  belief  of  the  truth  ;  and  that  they  will  be  kept  by  the 
power  of  God,  through  faith,  unto  salvation. 

"Art.  8. —  You  believe  that  there  will  be  a  resurrection  of  the 
just  and  of  the  unjust,  and  a  day  of  general  judgment ;  and  that 
the  wicked  will  go  away  into  punishment,  and  the  righteous  into 
happiness,  both  of  which  will  be  without  end. 

"  Art.  9.  —  You  believe  that  in  this  world  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
has  a  visible  church,  the  terms  of  admission  to  which  are  a  credible 
evidence  of  regeneration,  baptism,  and  a  public  profession  of  faith 
in  Christ ;  that  the  ordinances  of  baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper 
are  to  be  observed  to  the  end  of  the  world ;  that  none  but  members 
of  the  visible  church  have  a  right  to  the  Lord's  Supper ;  and  that 
such,  and  such  only,  have  a  right  to  dedicate  their  infant  offspring 
in  baptism. 

"  Do  you  thus  profess  and  believe  ? 

"  COVENANT. 

"  You  come  sensible  that  you  are  sinners ;  that  you  have  de- 
parted from  your  Maker,  and  have  lived  under  the  influence  of  that 
carnal  mind  which  is  enmity  against  God ;  that  you  have  broken 
his  law,  and  abused  his  love,  and  that  you  are  unworthy  his  favor; 
and  you  give  up  yourselves  to  this  God  Jehovah  as  your  God  and 
Father,  to  the  Lord  Je?us  Christ  as  your  only  Saviour,  and  to  the 
Holy  Ghost  as  your  Guide,  Sanctijier,  and  Comforter ;  and,  in  this 
public  manner,  you  dedicate  yourselves  to  God  in  the  bonds  of  his 
everlasting  covenant. 

"  You  unreservedly  surrender  all  you  have  and  are  to  his  sove- 
reign disposal ;  and  engage  henceforth  to  live  to  him,  and  not  to 
yourselves. 

"  Depending  on  his  grace,  you  promise  to  perform  the  various 
duties  you  owe  to  God,  to  your  fellow-creatures,  and  to  yourselves 
(and  to  bring  up  all  committed  to  your  care  in  the  nurture  and 
admonition  of  the  Lord). 

"  You  also  covenant  and  engage,  that  you  will  sanctify  the  sab- 
bath, and  adorn  your  profession  by  a  faithful  adherence  to  the  wor- 
ship of  God's  house,  and  by  diligently  attending  on  all  Christian 
ordinances,  and  holding  communion  in  them,  with  this  church,  as 


276  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

God  in  his  word  enjoins ;  that  you  will  watch  over  your  brethren 
in  love,  faithfully  reproving  them  when  they  go  astray ;  and  that 
you  will  submit  to  the  discipline  of  Christ  in  his  house,  and  to  the 
regular  administration  of  it  in  this  church,  —  seeking  its  peace  and 
welfare  in  all  things,  so  long  as  God  shall  continue  you  here. 
"Thus  you  covenant  and  engage.  (Here  the  church  rise.) 
"I,  then,  in  the  presence  of  God  and  these  witnesses,  and  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  pronounce  you  a  member  of  this 
branch  of  his  visible  church ;  and  we  covenant  and  engage  to  treat 
you  as  such,  and,  in  the  connection  we  now  sustain  with  you,  to 
watch  over  you  in  the  spirit  of  meekness  and  love,  as  your  brethren 
and  sisters  in  the  Lord. 

"  And  now,  beloved  in  Christ,  remember  that  the  vows  of  God 
are  upon  you,  and  will  remain  through  life,  in  death,  at  the  judg- 
ment-seat, and  for  ever.  The  Lord  preserve  and  guide  you  in  the 
path  of  righteousness  and  peace,  give  you  triumph  through  faith  in 
the  hour  of  death,  and  at  last  receive  you  and  us  to  that  blessed 
world  where  our  communion  and  joy  shall  be  for  ever  perfect. 
Amen. 

"BIBLE   PRINCIPLES. 

"  1.  This  church  is  independent,  so  far  as  relates  to  its  internal 
organization  and  the  regulation  of  its  affairs ;  it  controls  the  admis- 
sion, discipline,  and  removal  of  its  members,  according  to  its  own 
understanding  of  the  word  of  God. 

"  2.  This  church  will  extend  to  other  evangelical  Congregational 
churches,  and  receive  from  them,  that  fellowship,  advice,  and  assist- 
ance which  the  law  of  Christ  requires.  It  will  extend  the  usuak 
rights  of  communion,  and  practise  the  usual  transfer  of  members, 
according  to  its  own  convictions  of  duty. 

"  3.  This  church  will  grant  dismissions  and  recommendations  to 
those  members  who  are  in  good  standing,  and  who  conscientiously 
prefer  uniting  with  other  churches  of  any  evangelical  denomi- 
nation, when  they  apply  in  a  regular  manner,  and  wifb  a  Christian 
spirit. 

"  4.  This  church  deems  it  irregular,  if  any  members  withdraw 
from  them,  and  unite  in  communion  and  worship  with  other 
churches,  either  on  account  of  any  offence,  or  on  the  plea  of  better 
edification,  without  giving  notice  to  the  church,  and  requesting  a 
dismission. 

"  5.  Any  member  having  cause  of  complaint  against  another,  in 
cases  of  personal  offence,  should  immediately  seek  to  have  it 
removed  in  a  Christian  manner,  the  directions  given  in  Matt,  xviii. 
15-17  being  his  guide. 

"  6.  In  cases  of  offence  against  the  church,  it  is  the  duty  of  any 
member  cognizant  of  it  to  seek  at  once  to  have  it  removed,  by  per- 
sonal labor,  before  making  it  a  matter  of  public  complaint. 

"  7.  It  is  a  recognized  principle  in  civil  society,  that  every  man 
shall  bear  hia  proportion  to  the  support  of  its  institutions.     This 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  £77 

church  regards  it  as  equally  binding  upon  the  members  of  Christ's 
house,  that  they  shall  bear  their  just  proportion  to  the  support  of 
the  gospel. 

"  8.  This  church  regards  slaveholding,  the  traffic  in  and  use  of 
intoxicating  drinks  as  a  beverage,  gambling,  and  such  like  things, 
as  inconsistent  with  Christian  character. 

"  9.  This  church  affectionately,  yet  earnestly,  entreats  its  members 
to  avoid  all  connection  with  dancing  assemblies,  theatrical  exhibi- 
tions, secret  societies,  and  similar  associations,  as  tending  practi- 
cally to  weaken  the  bond  of  Christian  brotherhood,  and  to  bring  a 
reproach  upon  the  .cause  of  their  Master. 

The  present  house  of  -worship  was  dedicated  Feb.  14,  1849. 
Rev.  A.  B.  Warner  died  May  26,  1853.  Rev.  Jacob  M. 
Manning  was  ordained  pastor  Jan.  5,  1854. 


GRACE    CHURCH. 

The  liturgy  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church  was  first 
used  in  public  worship,  in  Medford,  on  Christmas  Eve,  A.D. 
1847.  About  the  same  time,  a  hall  was  procured,  and  the 
services  of  a  clergyman  were  engaged  for  a  limited  time,  in 
the  hope  that  it  might  be  found  expedient  to  form  a  parish. 
It  soon  became  manifest  that  a  sufficient  number  of  persons 
were  interested  in  the  enterprise  to  justify  this  step,  and  a 
meeting  was  accordingly  called  ;  and,  on  the  15th  day  of 
February,  A.D.  1848,  a  parish  was  legally  organized,  under 
the  name  of  Grace  Church.  In  March  following,  the  Rev. 
David  Greene  Haskins  was  chosen  rector.  In  September, 
1849,  measures  were  taken  for  building  a  church.  A  conve- 
nient location  was  chosen,  and  a  small  but  neat  and  beautiful 
edifice  was  erected,  and,  on  the  11th  of  May,  1850,  conse- 
crated to  the  worship  of  God. 

Mr.  Haskins  retained  the  charge  of  the  parish  until 
February,  1852 ;  when  he  resigned,  and  was  succeeded  by 
the  Rev.  Justin  Field,  the  present  rector. 


278  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 


EDUCATION. 


Keligion,  and  love  of  liberty,  brought  our  pilgrim  ancestors 
to  Medford ;  and  as  these  principles  sprang  in  them  from 
intelligence  and  virtue,  so  they  revealed  to  them  the  need  of 
intelligence  and  virtue  in  their  offspring.  To  educate,  there- 
fore, was  to  legislate  for  the  future.  The  establishment  of 
schools,  during  the  first  years  of  their  residence,  was  *an 
impossibility;  and,  consequently,  domestic  instruction  was 
the  only  alternative.  The  Bible  and  Primer  were  the  read- 
ing-books. In  those  towns  or  plantations  where  a  clergyman 
could  be  supported,  he  usually  occupied  much  of  his  time  in 
teaching  the  young  ;  and  it  was  common  for  boys  to  be 
received  into  the  minister's  family  to  be  prepared  for  college. 
Those  pastors  who  had  been  silenced  in  England,  and  who 
came  here  to  minister  to  the  scattered  flocks  in  the  wilder- 
ness, were  men  of  strong  thought  and  sound  scholarship  ; 
and  they  kept  up  the  standard  of  education.  Prom  the 
necessities  of  their  condition,  however,  it  is  apparent  that 
the  children  of  our  ancestors  must  have  been  scantily  taught, 
and  their  grandchildren  still  greater  sufferers ;  for  learning 
follows  wealth. 

The  first  movement  for  the  establishment  of  schools  took 
place  under  the  administration  of  Governor  Prence ;  and,  at 
his  suggestion,  the  following  order  was  passed  in  the  Colony 
Court,  1663  :  — 

"  It  is  proposed  by  the  Court  unto  the  several  townships  in  this 
jurisdiction,  as  a  thing  they  ought  to  take  into  their  serious  consi- 
deration, that  some  course  may  be  taken,  that  in  every  town  there 
may  be  a  schoolmaster  set  up,  to  train  up  children  in  reading  and 
writing. 

"  In  1670,  the  Court  did  freely  give  and  grant  all  such  profits  as 
might  or  should  accrue  annually  to  the  Colony  for  fishing  with  ajiet 
or  seines  at  Cape  Cod  for  mackerel,  bass,  or  herrings,  to  be  im- 
proved for  and  towards  a  free  school,  in  some  town  in  this  jurisdic- 
tion, for  the  training  up  of  youth  in  literature,  for  the  good  and 
benefit  of  posterity,  —  provided  a  beginning  be  made  within  one 
year  after  said  grant." 


EDUCATION.  279 


The  occupants  of  the  Medford  plantation,  being  few  and 
poor,  secured  instruction  to  their  children  by  domestic  teach- 
ing, and  by  using  the  schools  of  the  neighboring  towns. 
Wards  the  support  of  those  schools,  they  were  required  by 
law  to  contribute;  and  that  they  were  benefited  by  them,  is 
apparent  from  the  fact,  that  all  the  persons  who  appear, 
through  a  series  of  years,  as  officers  in  the  town,  were  well 
educated.  The  leading  idea  of  emigration  to  this  country, 
and  the  spirit  of  the  age,  would  not  allow  them  to  neglect 
education.  They  provided  for  it  in  a  way  that  did  not 
require  public  record  at  the  time. 

In  1701,  the  penalty  imposed  by  the  Legislature  upon 
towns  for  neglecting  to  provide  grammar  schools  was  twenty 
pounds.  It  was  required  that  "  the  schoolmaster  should  be 
appointed  by  the  ministers  of  the  town  and  the  ministers  of 
the  two  next  adjacent  towns,  or  any  two  of  them,  by  certifi- 
cates under  their  hands." 

_  These  early  resolves  concerning  schools  and  education 
indubitably  prove  two  things  :  first,  that  our  Puritan  Fathers 
believed  that  the  establishment  of  schools  was  a  duty  they 
owed  to  justice  and  humanity,  to  freedom  and  religion  ;  and, 
second,  that  they  had  resolved  that  these  schools  should  be 
free.  Here,  then,  was  a  new  idea  introduced  to  the  world, 
—/ree  schools  !  And,  from  free  schools  and  congregational 
churches,  what  could  result  but  republicanism  1  They  held 
our  republic  as  the  acorn  holds  the  oak.  It  is  important  to 
state  that  free  schools  originated  in  Massachusetts. 

In  1671,  Sir  William  Berkeley,  first  Governor  of  Virginia, 
writes  to  the  king  thus : 

"  I  thank  God  there  are  no  free  schools  nor  printing-presses  here, 
and  I  trust  there  will  not  be  this  hundred  years ;  for  learning  breeds 
up  heresies  and  sects  and  all  abominations.  God  save  us  from 
both !  ' 


son 


Now  look  at  Massachusetts.  The  Rev.  John  Robin- 
n  before  the  Pilgrims  left  Ley  den,  charged  them  to 
build  churches,  establish  schools,  and  read  the  Bible  with- 
out sectarian  prejudice.  He  said,  "I  am  convinced  that 
God  has  more  light  yet  to  break  forth  out  of  his  holy  word. 
Receive  such  light  gladly."  Our  fathers  acted  on  this  wise, 
Christian,  and  republican  advice,  and  engaged  Philemon 
Rurmount  "to  teach  the  children ;  for  which  he  was  to  be  paid 
thirty  acres  of  ground   by  the    public    authorities."     How 


280  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

accordant  this  with  that  noble  resolve  of  New  England,  to 
establish  a  college,  "  to  the  end  that  good  learning  may  not 
be  buried  in  the  graves  of  our  fathers  "  !  It  is  cheering  to 
read  in  the  early  records  of  Medford,  when  a  special  town- 
meeting  was  called  for  this  only  purpose,  —  viz.,  "  to  see  if 
the  town  will  have  a  school  kept  for  three  months,"  —  to  find 
every  voter  in  favor  of  it,  and,  at  the  end  of  this  vote, 
appending  these  immortal  words,  —  "  and  this  school  shall 

BE    FREE." 

Here  we  have,  in  short  compass,  the  different  beginnings 
and  opposite  policies  of  two  settlements :  the  one  anathema- 
tizing free  schools  and  printing-presses  ;  the  other  doing  all 
it  can  for  free  inquiry,  universal  culture,  and  progressive 
truth.  The  natural  result  of  one  system  is  to  overrun  a 
state  with  slavery,  darken  it  with  ignorance,  pinch  it  with 
poverty,  and  curse  it  with  irreligion  ;  the  natural  result  of 
the  other  is  to  fill  a  state  with  freemen,  to  enlighten  it  with 
knowledge,  to  expand  it  with  wealth,  and  to  bless  with 
Christianity. 

"We  should  never  cease  to  thank  God  that  our  ancestors, 
though  surrounded  by  savage  foes  and  doomed  to  poverty 
and  self-denial,  laid  deep  the  foundations  of  that  system  of 
common  schools  which  is  now  the  nursery  of  intelligence, 
the  basis  of  virtue,  the  pledge  of  freedom,  and  the  hope  of 
the  world. 

The  course  of  instruction  was  narrow  and  partial.  Each 
hungry  child  got  a  crust ;  but  no  one  had  a  full  meal.  The 
New  England  Primer  was  the  first  book,  the  Spelling-book 
the  second,  and  the  Psalter  the  last.  Arithmetic  and  writing 
found  special  attention  ;  grammar  and  geography  were  thought 
less  needful.  The  school  was  opened  and  closed  with  read- 
ing the  Scriptures  and  the  offerings  of  prayer.  The  hours 
were  from  nine  to  twelve  o'clock,  and  from  one  to  four. 
Thursday  and  Saturday  afternoons  were  vacations. 

For  the  next  fifty  years,  the  inhabitants  of  Medford  sup- 
ported their  schools  at  as  cheap  a  rate  as  they  could,  because 
their  means  were  not  abundant.  The  spirit  was  willing,  but 
the  flesh  was  weak.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Porter  acted  as  private 
teacher,  and  doubtless  rendered  great  help  to  the  cause  of 
education. 

1700  :  Neal  says,  "  Hardly  a  child  of  nine  or  ten  years  old, 
throughout  the  whole  country,  but  can  read  and  write,  and 
say  his  catechism." 


EDUCATION.  281 

Nov.  30,  1719,  a  special  meeting  was  held,  "to  see  if  a 
school  shall  be  established  for  four  months.  Voted  in  the 
affirmative.  Also  voted  that  the  town  will  allow  Mr.  Davi- 
son three  pounds  money  for  keeping  the  school  the  time 
above  said,  and  also  to  diet  him  for  the  town."  Heretofore, 
schools  had  been  kept  in  private  houses  ;  but,  Feb.  22,  1720, 
it  was  voted  to  build  a  schoolhouse. 

Dec.  12,  1720 :  Two  schools  proposed  and  organized  for 
the  first  time ;  one  for  the  west  end,  and  the  other  for  the 
east.  Mr.  Caleb  Brooks  was  engaged  to  keep  the  west  school 
for  three  months,  at  two  pounds  per  month ;  Mr.  Henry- 
Davison  the  east,  at  the  same  price. 

Jn  these  ways,  primary  instruction  was  provided  for. 
Although,  in  their  votes,  they  used  the  word  "  established," 
it  could  not  be  strictly  true ;  for  there  was  no  school  esta- 
blished, as  we  understand  the  term.  Money  raised  for  schools 
was  not  at  first  put  among  the  town  charges,  but  raised  as  a 
separate  tax.  Schools  were  any  thing  but  perennial ;  they 
could  hardly  be  dignified  with  the  title  of  semi-annual,  and 
sometimes  almost  deserved  the  sobriquet  of  ephemeral.  At 
first  they  were  kept  in  a  central  "  angle,"  or  "  squadron," 
which  meant  district ;  the  next  improvement  was  to  keep  a 
third  of  the  time  in  one  extremity,  a  third  in  the  opposite, 
and  a  third  in  the  centre.  Sometimes  the  money  raised  for 
the  support  of  the  school  was  divided  according  to  the  num- 
ber of  polls,  and  sometimes  according  to  the  number  of  chil- 
dren. The  church  and  the  school  were,  with  our  fathers,  the 
alpha  and  omega  of  town  policy. 

"  Oct.  5,  1730 :  Voted  to  build  a  new  schoolhouse." 
Same  day  :  "  Voted  to  set  up  a  reading  and  writing  school 
for  six  months." 

March  11,  1771 :  "  Voted  to  build  the  schoolhouse  upon 
the  land  behind  the  meeting-house,  on  the  north-west  corner 
of  the  land." 

1776  :  Voted  that  the  master  instruct  girls  two  hours  after 
the  boys  are  dismissed. 

By  a  traditional  blindness,  we  charitably  presume  it  must 
have  been,  our  early  fathers  did  not  see  that  females  required 
and  deserved  instruction  equally  with  males ;  we  therefore 
find  the  first  provisions  for  primary  schools  confined  to  boys. 
As  light  broke  in,  they  allowed  girls  to  attend  the  public 
school  two  hours  per  day  ;  and  it  was  not  until  April  5,  1790, 
that  the  question  was  formally  considered.     On  that  day,  a 


282  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

committee  was  chosen  to  inquire  "if  it  be  expedient  for 
girls  to  attend  the  master's  school."  The  committee  wisely 
recommended  the  affirmative  ;  whereupon,  at  the  next  town- 
meeting,  it  was  voted  "  that  girls  have  liberty  to  attend  the 
master-school  during  three  summer  months." 

"  June  20,  1794  :  Voted  that  females  attend  the  master- 
school  separately,  from  the  1st  of  May  to  the  1st  of  October, 
four  hours  each  day  ;  and  that  the  boys  attend  four  hours  each 
day,  —  Thursday  and  Saturday  afternoons  being  vacations." 
No  one  was  admitted  under  seven  years  of  age,  nor  unless  he 
could  read  and  spell.  Woman,  as  the  first  instructor  of  man, 
needs  a  double  portion  of  culture ;  and,  when  we  starve  the 
mother,  we  curse  the  cradle. 

The  course  of  study  was,  for  the  most  part,  meagre  and 
impoverishing.  The  healthy  curiosity  of  the  mind  was  fed 
on  the  dryest  husks  of  grammar,  arithmetic,  spelling,  and 
reading.  Whatever  could  be  turned  to  pecuniary  gain  was 
the  great  object  in  the  selection  of  studies.  Webster's  Spell- 
ing-book, American  Preceptor,  Young  Lady's  Accidence, 
Pike's  Arithmetic,  and  Morse's  Geography,  were  the  mines 
out  of  which  pupils  were  commanded  to  dig  the  golden  ores 
of  all  useful  knowledge.  The  .books  were  made  with  very 
slight  apprehension  of  a  child's  mode  of  thought.  They 
seemed  to  take  for  granted  that  the  pupil  knew  the  very 
things  they  proposed  to-  teach  him.  They  abounded  with 
rules,  without  giving  any  instruction  concerning  the  princi- 
ples out  of  which  the  rules  rose.  It  was  somewhat  like 
lecturing  on  optics  to  the  blind,  or  on  music  to  the  deaf. 

May  5,  1795  :  On  this  day,  the  town  voted  to  build  a 
brick  schoolhouse  behind  the  meeting-house.  They  agreed 
"  to  give  William  Woodbridge  two  hundred  and  twenty 
pounds,  with  the  old  schoolhouse,  to  build  it."  This  house 
consisted  of  one  large  room,  sufficient  for  sixty  or  seventy 
children,  and  was  arranged  after  the  newest  models,  and  fur- 
nished with  green  blinds.  On  the  north  side  sat  the  girls, 
and  on  the  south  the  boys,  constantly  tempting  each  other  to 
laugh  and  play. 

March  1,  1802 :  "Voted  that  the  'Boyal'  donation  be  ap- 
propriated to  pay  the  schooling  of  poor  children,  as  last  year." 
May  6,  1805  :  Voted  to  procure  a  lot  for  a  schoolhouse  near 
Gravelly  Bridge.  Voted  "  to  choose  a  committee  to  look  out  a 
piece  of  land  at  the  west  end  of  the  town,  procure  materials  (for 
a  schoolhouse),  and  report  their  doings  at  March  meeting." 


EDUCATION.  ZOd 

March  7,  1807 :  Voted  to  enlarge  the  schoolhouse,  and 
dig  a  well.  After  this  was  done,  the  girls  and  boys  were 
taught  in  separate  rooms.  Until  this  time  there  had  been 
but  one  public  free  school  in  the  town ;  and  this  was  all  that 
was  then  deemed  necessary.  It  was  taught  by  an  accom- 
plished master  through  the  year.  After  this  time,  two  schools 
were  not  too  many,  and  the  town  cheerfully  sustained  them. 
No  provision  had  been  made  for  what  are  now  called  "  pri- 
mary schools  ;  "  and  therefore  every  parent  was  obliged  to 
pay  for  the  schooling  of  his  children  until  they  had  reached 
the  age  of  seven,  when  they  could  lawfully  enter  the  grammar 
school.  So  late  as  1813,  children  under  seven  years  of  age 
were,  by  vote,  prohibited  from  entering  the  grammar  schools. 

The  "  dame  schools,"  or,  as  they  were  often  called,  the 
"  marm  schools,"  were  numerous.  Some  vestal.dames,  whom 
it  would  not  be  profanation  to  call  "  sacred,"  and  who  never 
seemed  young  to  their  pupils,  continued,  through  many 
years,  to  teach  the  young  their  first  steps  on  the  high  and 
perilous  ladder  of  learning.  With  what  fidelity  they  adminis- 
tered the  accustomed  kisses,  alphabet,  and  birch,  some  of  us 
can  never  forget.  Twelve  cents  per  week,  paid  on  each 
Monday  morning,  secured  to  each  pupil  an  abundance  of 
motherly  care,  useful  knowledge,  and  salutary  discipline. 
Our  town  rejoiced  in  a  "  Marm  Betty."  After  all,  these 
schools  were  more  important  to  society  than  the  march  of 
armies  or  the  sailing  of  fleets  ;  for  they  laid  well  the  first  foun- 
dation-stones of  that  immortal  edifice,  —  human  character. 

Since  1799,  a  law  had  existed  in  the  town,  pledging  it  to 
pay  for  the  instruction  of  poor  children  at  the  dame  schools. 

Whittling  seems  native  to  New  England  boys.  March  7, 
1808,  the  town  voted  to  repair  the  seats  and  benches  in  the 
schoolhouse. 

In  1817,  female  teachers  for  the  female  department  were 
preferred.  They  taught  through  six  months  only.  ^  In  1818, 
when  Medford  had  two  hundred  and  two  families,  the 
expenses  of  the  schools  were  as  follows  :  — 

Master  for  one  year,  at  $20  per  month $240 

Board  for  the  same,  at  $3  per  week 156 

Master  four  months,  at  $20  per  month 80 

Board  for  the  same,  at  $3  per  week **•**'       52 

Three  female  teachers  twenty-five  weeks  each,  at  $4   .     .     .     300 

Rent  for  schoolhouses  for  female  schools 45 

$873 


284  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

April  1,  1823 :  Voted  to  build  a  new  schoolhouse  "  on 
the  front  line  of  the  burying-place." 

Nov.  1,  1824  :  Voted  to  divide  the  town  into  two  districts, 
to  be  called  Eastern  and  Western ;  and  the  $1,200,  voted  this 
year  for  the  support  of  the  schools,  was  to  be  divided  equally 
between  the  districts.  In  1825,  the  number  of  children  in 
Medford,  under  fourteen  years  of  age,  was  525  ;  and  the 
thickening  of  population  in  new  places  made  it  necessary  to 
multiply  schoolhouses,  and  scatter  them  over  the  whole  ter- 
ritory. 

1829 :  Voted  to  build  a  schoolhouse,  of  wood,  in  the  west 
part  of  the  town.  This  was  placed  on  the  Woburn  Road,  on 
land  bought  of  Jonathan  Brooks,  Esq.  In  1831,  it  was  re- 
moved and  placed  near  the  alms-house,  on  land  belonging  to 
the  town. 

1833 :  Voted  to  build  a  schoolhouse  in  the  eastern  dis- 
trict, the  cost  not  to  exceed  four  hundred  dollars. 

The  primary  schools  were  taught  by  females,  but  not  con- 
tinued through  the  winter. 

March  3,  "1834:  Voted  that  the  school-committee  be 
directed  so  to  arrange  the  town-schools  that  the  girls  shall 
enjoy  equal  privileges  therein  with  the  boys  throughout  the 
year."  This  tardy  justice  to  the  female  sex  was  not  peculiar 
to  Medford ;  and  we  are  now  amazed  that  Anglo-Saxon  men, 
living  in  a  free  commonwealth  and  professing  the  Christian 
religion,  should  have  needed  two  hundred  years  to  convince 
them  that  girls  have  an  equal  right  with  boys  to  all  physical, 
intellectual,  and  moral  development. 

The  new  interest  awakened  in  the  cause  of  elementary 
instruction,  by  the  friends  of  common  schools,  produced  its 
effects  readily  in  Medford ;  and,  in  1835,  the  town  chose  a 
committee  "  to  inquire  how  proper  education  might  be  more 
extensively  and  effectually  promoted  in  the  town."  In  this 
year  a  new  schoolhouse  was  ordered,  —  the  land  and  building 
to  cost  eight  hundred  dollars. 

March  2,  1835  :  The  town  appointed  a  committee  to  "  in- 
quire into  the  best  methods  of  conducting  public  schools."  . 
This  vote  shows  that  the  efforts  of  the  school-reformers  of 
previous  years  had  not  been  lost  on  Medford.  Among 
these  early  friends  of  a  better  system  was  a  talented  son  of 
Medford,  Mr.  William  Channing  Woodbridge,  who  received 
from  his  father  a  knowledge  and  love  of  school-teaching,  and 
who,  as  editor  of  the   "  Annals  of  Education,"  labored  sue- 


EDUCATION.  285 

cessfully  for  the  great  cause.  His  "  Modern  School  Geogra- 
phy and  Atlas  "  are  proofs  of  his  ability  and  enthusiasm ; 
and  we  deeply  regret  that  all  our  efforts  to  learn  more  of  his 
history  and  labors  have  been  so  unsuccessful.  He  is  an 
honorary  member  of  the  Geographical  Societies  of  Paris, 
Frankfort,  and  Berlin. 

If  another  son  of  Medford  has  labored  long  and  spent 
much  for  common  schools,  is  it  necessary  that  it  should  be 
noticed  in  this  history  ?  The  writer  of  this  has  maintained, 
that,  under  the  circumstances,  it  is  not  necessary ;  but  he 
has  at  last  been  syllogized  into  the  belief,  that  what  was  pub- 
licly done  by  a  son  of  Medford  towards  the  "  education- 
revival  "  of  1835-7  belongs  to  the  history  of  the  town,  and 
cannot  be  omitted  without  violating  the  rule  followed  in  all 
other  cases  in  town  histories.  Silenced  rather  than  convinced, 
he  yields  to  the  wishes  of  those  he  has  no  right  to  disregard  ; 
and,  omitting  all  details,  he  consents  only  to  the  republication 
of  a  letter  which  first  appeared  in  the  Plymouth  newspaper, 
Oct.  4,  1845,  and  was  copied  in  the  "  Common  School  Jour- 
nal." The  introductory  remarks  of  the  editor  will  sufficiently 
explain  the  facts. 

"Materials  for  a  History  of  Massachusetts  Schools. 

"The  communications  in  our  former  numbers,  respecting  the 
Bridgewater  Normal  School  and  the  late  annual  address  before  the 
pupils,  have -induced  a  friend  of  Mr.  Brooks  to  write  him,  and  ask 
about  his  first  movements  in  the  Old  Colony.  He  reluctantly  yield- 
ed to  write  an  account ;  but,  as  it  connects  itself  so  closely  with  the 
cause  of  education  in  our  Commonwealth,  we  think  our  readers  may 
be  glad  to  see  it. —  Old  Colony  Memorial. 

«  Boston,  Sept.  2,  1845. 

"  My  dear  Sir,  —  You  ask  me  to  print  my  address  delivered  at 
Bridgewater  before  the  Normal  School.  I  thank  you  for  the  com- 
pliment implied  in  such  a  request ;  but,  my  friend,  the  time  has 
passed  for  such  a  necessity.  Our  battle  with  ignorance  and  preju- 
dice has  been  fought  in  the  Old  Colony,  and  the  victory  is  ours  ; 
and  there  had  better  not  be  any  parade  of  the  old  soldiers  quite  yet. 
Some  educational  antiquary,  in  his  pardonable  weakness,  may  show 
my  lectures  fifty  years  hence,  as  they  sometimes  show  old  cannon. 
They  are  fast  growing  into  the  sear  and  yellow  leaf:  so  pray  excuse 
me. 

"  You  ask  about  the  educational  movements  in  the  Old  Colony  with 
which  I  was  connected.  The  story  is  very  short,  and  to  most  per- 
sons must  be  very  uninteresting. 

"While  in  Europe,  in  1833,  I  became  interested  in  the  Prussian 
system   of  education.      I  sought   every  occasion   to   enlarge  my 


286  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

knowledge  of  its  nature  and  action.  A  good  opportunity  came  to 
me  without  my  seeking  it.  The  King  of  Prussia  had  sent  Dr. 
Julius,  of  Hamburg,  to  this  country,  for  the  purpose  of  collecting 
information  concerning  our  prisons,  hospitals,  schools,  &c.  I  hap- 
pened to  meet  the  doctor  in  a  literary  party  m  London,  and  he 
asked  me  to  become  his  room-mate  on  board  ship.  I  did  so,  and 
for  forty-one  days  was  with  him  listening  to  his  descriptions  of  Ger- 
man and  Prussian  systems  of  instruction.  I  was  resolved  to  attempt 
the  introduction  of  several  parts  of  the  system  into  the  United 
States.  I  formed  my  plan,  and  commenced  operations  by  a  public 
announcement,  and  an  address  at  Hingham.  I  found  some  who 
understood  and  appreciated  my  views,  and  I  worked  on  with  a  new 
convert's  zeal.  In  1835, 1  wrote  and  published;  but  few  read,  and 
fewer  still  felt  any  interest.  I  was  considered  a  dreamer,  who 
wished  to  fill  our  republican  commonwealth  with  monarchial  insti- 
tutions. There  were  some  amusing  caricatures  of  me  published,  to 
ridicule  my  labors.  These  did  me  more  good  than  harm.  I  worked 
with  precious  few  encouragements.  I  occupied  Thanksgiving 
Day  of  1835  in  advocating,  in  a  public  address,  my  plan  for  Normal 
Schools.  I  took  my  stand  upon  this  Prussian  maxim,  lAs  is  the 
teacher,  so  is  the  school.'  I  thought  the  whole  philosophy  was 
summed  up  in  that  single  phrase  ;  and  I  think  so  still.  I  accordingly 
wrote  all  my  lectures  with  reference  to  the  establishment  of  Nor- 
mal Schools.  I  now  began  to  lecture  before  lyceums  and  conven- 
tions, and  had  many  stormy  debates,  and  a  wonderful  scarcity  of 
compliments.  The  noise  and  dust  of  battle  began  at  last  to  bring 
many  to  the  comitia,  until  we  got  quite  a  respectable  campus  mar- 
tins. I  thought  there  was  one  place  where  I  could  rely  on  intelli- 
gence and  patriotism ;  and  there  I  resolved  to  go.  I  accordingly 
published  in  the  newspapers,  that  a  convention  would  be  gathered  at 
Plymouth,  in  court-week,  '  to  discuss  the  expediency  of  establishing 
a  Normal  School  in  the  Old  Colony.'  The  friends  of  common 
schools  assembled,  and  a  private  room  held  us  all !  But  soon  the 
truth  spread ;  and  my  friends  in  Hingham  and  Plymouth  came  up 
generously  to  the  work.  We  felt  that  the  two  great  ideas  of  the 
church  and  the  schoolhouse,  which  our  Pilgrim  Fathers  brought  to 
this  shore,  were  to  be  carried  out,  and  ever  trusted  in  God  they 
would. 

"  But  this  narrative  is  growing  too  long.  In  a  few  words,  then,  let 
me  add,  that  I  found  conventions  to  be  the  best  missionaries  of 
the  truth ;  and  I  gathered  them  in  Plymouth,  Duxbury,  New 
Bedford,  Bridgewater,  Kingston,  Hanover,  Hanson,  &c.  The  Old 
Colony  was  ready  to  take  the  lead ;  and  we  began  with  petitions  and 
memorials  to  the  Legislature,  all  recommending  the  establishment 
of  Normal  Schools.  How  many  hundred  pages  I  wrote  on  this 
subject,  during  1834-6,  I  dare  not  say.  It  was  the  subject  of  my 
thoughts  and  prayers.  The  wisdom  of  the  Prussian  scheme  re- 
commended itself  to  the  reflecting ;  and,  as  I  had  studied  it,  I  was 


EDUCATION.  287 

invited  to  lecture  in.  each  of  the  New  England  States.  I  went  to 
Portsmouth,  Concord,  Nashua,"  and  Keene,  N.H. ;  to  Providence 
and  Newport,  R.I. ;  to  Hartford,  Conn. ;  to  New  York,  New 
Jersey,  Pennsylvania.  I  went  through  our  own  State,  holding 
conventions  at  the  large  central  towns.  All  this  time  I  seemed  to 
have  little  real  success.  I  began  to  despair.  I  returned,  after  two 
years  of  excessive  toil,  to  my  professional  duties,  concluding  that 
the  time  had  not  yet  come  for  this  great  movement.  One  evening, 
in  January,  1837,  I  was  sitting  reading  to  my  family,  when  a  letter 
was  brought  me  from  the  friends  of  education  in  the  Massachusetts 
Legislature,  asking  me  to  lecture  on  my  hobby  subject  before  that 
body.  I  was  electrified  with  joy.  The  whole  heavens  to  my  eye 
seemed  now  filled  with  rainbows.  January  18th  came,  and  the  hall 
of  the  House  of  Representatives  was  perfectly  full.  I  gave  an  ac- 
count of  the  Prussian  system  ;  and  they  asked  if  I  would  lecture 
again.  I  consented,  and,  the  next  evening,  endeavored  to  show  how 
far  the  Prussian  system  could  be  safely  adopted  in  the  United 
States. 

"  Here  my  immediate  connection  with  the  cause  may  be  said  to 
stop ;  for  one  of  my  auditors,  the  Hon.  Edmund  Dwight,  after  this, 
took  the  matter  into  his  hands,  and  did  for  it  all  a  patriot  could  ask. 
He  gave  $10,000  for  the  establishment  of  Normal  Schools,  on  con- 
dition the  State  would  give  as  much.  This  happily  settled  the 
matter.  A  '  Board  of  Education  '  was  established,  and  they  found 
the  man  exactly  suited  to  the  office  of  Secretary  ;  and  at  Worces- 
ter, Aug.  25,  1837,  I  had  the  satisfaction  of  congratulating  the 
American  Institute,  in  a  public  address,  on  the  realization  of  wishes 
which  they  had  for  years  cherished.  Mr.  Mann  entered  upon  his 
labors  that  day  ;  and  the  results  are  gladdening  the  whole  country. 
May  God  still  smile  on  this  cause  of  causes,  until  schools  shall 
cover  the  whole  world  with  knowledge,  and  Christianity  shall  fill  it 
with  love! 

"  My  friend,  do  not  misinterpret  my  letter  by  supposing  that  I 
originated  these  ideas.  Oh,  no  I  They  were  picked  up  by  me  in 
Europe.  There  had  been  an  attempt  at  a  teachers'  seminary  at 
Lancaster ;  and  the  American  Institute,  unknown  to  me,  had  dis- 
cussed the  subject  before  I  was  a  member  ;  and  the  idea  was  not  a 
new  one.  All  I  did  was  to  bring  it  from  Europe  with  me,  and  talk 
about  it,  and  write  about  it,  until  the  Old  Colony  adopted  it.  I 
hope  the  many  early  friends  I  had  there  will  believe  me  when  I 
say,  that,  without  their  generous  and  steady  co-operation,  I  should 
have  failed  in  my  plans.  The  Normal  Schools  are  of  Prussian 
origin  ;  but  let  us  not  mourn  on  that  account.  The  beautiful  foun- 
tain of  Arethusa  sank  under  the  ground  in  Greece,  and  re-appeared 
in  Sicily  ;  but  I  have  never  read  that  the  Sicilians  mourned  for  the 
appearance  of  that  foreign  blessing  among  them. 

"  Bespeaking  your  patient  forbearance  under  this  epistolary  inflic- 
tion, I  am,  as  ever,  yours,  truly,  Charles  Brooks." 


288  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

In  1837,  voted  to  continue  the  primary  schools  through 
the  year. 

To  show  how  promptly  our  town  took  the  form  and 
pressure  of  the  times,  we  need  only  state  the  appropriations 
annually  made  for  the  support  of  the  schools  ;  and,  beginning 
with  1832,  they  stand  thus  :  — 

For  1838 $2,700 


For  1832 $1,200 

„    1833 1,400 

„    1834 1,500 

„    1836 2,250 

„    1837 2,500 


1840 3,000 

1842 3,200 

1850 4,309 

1854 7,169 


It  will  take  but  little  arithmetic  to  prove  that  here  was  an 
increase  in  appropriations,  within  ten  years,  beyond  all  for- 
mer precedents,  and  beyond  the  ratio  of  increase  in  numbers 
or  wealth  in  the  town.  Medford  partook  so  fully  of  the  new 
enthusiasm  for  the  improvement  of  its  schools,  that  in  1853 
it  stood  twelfth  on  the  list  of  towns  in  the  county,  and  twenty- 
fifth  in  the  Commonwealth ;  paying,  at  that  time,  $6.04.7  per 
head  for  each  child  in  town  between  the  ages  of  five  and  fifteen. 

1840 :  The  age  at  which  pupils  were  admitted  to  the  pri- 
mary schools  was  four  years  ;  and  they  could  not  remain  in 
the  grammar  schools  after  they  were  sixteen. 

April  3,  1843  :  Voted  to  build  a  schoolhouse,  in  High 
Street,  upon  land  bought  of  John  Howe.  This  house  was  to 
be  sixty  feet  by  forty ;  three  stories  high  ;  of  wood,  with 
brick  basement ;  and  its  cost  limited  to  $4,500,  —  to  be  called 
the  High  School. 

"  The  Course  of  Study  in  the  High  School  shall  embrace  four 
years,  and  be  as  follows :  — 

Class  4. 

1.  Review  of  preparatory  studies,  using  the  text-books  authorized 

in  the  Grammar  Schools. 

2.  English  Grammar,  to  the  completion  of  Syntax  and  Prosody, 

including  Rules  of  Versification  and  Analysis,  and  their  ex- 
emplification. 

3.  Ancient  and  Physical  Geography. ~)  to  be  pursued  conjointly,  and  by  the 

4.  Worcester's  General  History.  |        same  geographical  divisions. 

5.  Algebra,  to  succeed  Arithmetic. 

6.  Hitchcock's  Book-keeping  —  3  lessons  a  week. 

7.  French  Language.  2       „  „ 

Class  3. 

1.  Algebra  and  book-keeping  completed ;  after  which, — 

2.  Legendre's  Geometry. 


EDUCATION.  »©y 

3.  Whately's  or  Blair's  Rhetoric,  with  Syntactical  and  Prosodiacal 

Exercises,  and  exemplifications  of  Rhetorical  Rules  in  Read- 
ing and  other  Lessons. 

4.  Bayard's  Constitution  of  the  United  States. 

5.  Gray's  or  Parker's  Natural  Philosophy. 

6.  French  Language,  continued. 

7.  Drawing, — two  lessons  a  week. 

Class  2. 

1.  Davis's  Trigonometry,  with  its  applications  to  Surveying,  Navi- 

gation, Mensuration,  &c. 

2.  French  Language,  continued. 

3.  Drawing,  „ 

4.  Natural  Philosophy,  completed. 

5.  Olmstead's  or  Norton's  Astronomy. 

6.  Wayland's  Moral  Philosophy. 

7.  Paley's  Natural  Theology. 

8.  Physiology,  commenced. 

9.  Cleveland's  Compendium  of  English  Literature. 

"  The  Spanish,  Italian,  or  German  Languages  may  be  commenced 
by  such  pupils  as  in  the  judgment  of  the  master  have  acquired  a 
competent  knowledge  of  the  French. 

Class  1. 

1.  Modern  Languages,  continued. 

2.  Intellectual  Philosophy. 

3.  Astronomy  in  its  higher  departments. 

4.  Whately's  Logic. 

5.  Mechanic's  Engineering  and  higher 

Mathematics. 

6.  Botany. 

7.  Geology,  or  Natural  History,  generally. 

8.  Chemistry. 

9.  Physiology,  completed. 

"  The  several  classes  shall  also  have  exercises  in  English  Com- 
position and  Declamation." 

May  12,  1849 :  Voted  that  both  the  schools  at  the  West 
End  shall  be  "  annual  schools." 

March  4,  1850:  Voted  to  build  a  schoolhouse  on  the 
south  side  of  the  river. 

March  7,  1853 :  For  support  of  schools,  $5,400.  Same 
day,  voted  to  build  a  new  schoolhouse  in  Salem  Street. 

March  10,  1851:  Voted  to  build  a  schoolhouse  in  the 
west  part  of  the  town,  and  that  $2,000  be  appropriated  for 
said  purpose. 

The  inhabitants  of  West  Medford,  desirous  of  having  a 
37 


Either  of  them  at  option  of  pu- 
'  pil,  with  aprobation  of  master. 


290  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

schoolhouse  more  ample  in  its  dimensions  and  more  classic 
in  its  appearance  than  the  town's  appropriation  would  pro- 
cure, cheerfully  united  in  adding  to  it,  by  subscription,  the 
sum  of  nine  hundred  dollars.  This  sum  was  raised  by  resi- 
dents of  the  "  West  End  ;  "  and  they  who  were  most  able  to 
give,  gave  with  abounding  liberality.  The  building  com- 
mittee were  Messrs.  Charles  Caldwell,  J.  B.  Hatch,  and  J. 
M.  Usher  ;  and  they  spared  no  pains  in  procuring  a  skilful 
draughtsman.  Mr.  George  A.  Caldwell  was  the  master- 
builder. 

On  the  6th  of  August,  1851,  the  corner-stone  was  laid 
with  appropriate  religious  and  literary  exercises.  Edward 
Brooks,  Esq.,  presided,  and  made  the  opening  remarks. 
Prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  E.  K.  Fuller ;  and  then  an  origi- 
nal poem  was  spoken  by  a  pupil,  followed  with  short  speeches 
by  neighbors  and  friends.  The  house  is  placed  between 
Irving  and  Brooks  Streets,  on  the  hill,  where  pure  air  comes 
from  the  heavens,  and  pure  water  from  the  earth,  —  the  one 
securing  a  healthy  ventilation,  and  the  other  as  healthy  a 
digestion. 

On  the  22d  of  December,  1851,  a  day  chosen  in  honor  of 
the  Pilgrim  Fathers  who  landed  at  Plymouth,  the  house  was 
dedicated.  The  company  was  numerous,  and  the  enthusiasm 
great.  Prayers  were  offered  by  Rev.  Dr.  Ballou,  the  senior 
pastor  in  the  town ;  and  the  dedicatory  address  was  delivered 
by  the  writer  of  this  history,  and  afterwards  published  by  re- 
quest. An  original  poem,  strikingly  adapted  to  the  occasion, 
was  recited  by  a  lad  eight  years  old.  Before  the  crowd  sepa- 
rated, the  chairman  proposed  from  the  committee  that  the 
school  should  be  called  the  Brooks  School.  This  was 
voted  by  acclamation ;  and  thus  ended  our  literary  festival. 

We  wish  it  were  in  our  power  to  name  the  teachers  of  our 
public  schools,  who  have  filled  their  high  and  sacred  office 
through  many  years  with  such  distinguished  fidelity  and 
success.  Usage  forbids  this ;  but  let  every  such  teacher  be 
assured  that  he  has  a  reward  infinitely  higher  than  the 
applause  of  men. 

There  were  twelve  female  and  four  male  teachers  employed 
by  the  town  in  1854.  The  schools  are  reported  as  in  excel- 
lent condition.  The  following  abstract  of  the  monthly  reports 
of  the  teachers  embraces  the  whole  of  the  year  1854 :  — 


EDUCATION. 


291 


SCHOOLS. 

2 

H 

1 

g 

a 

i 

4 

g-s 

4j 

< 

6  ° 

"1 

o.2 

6.3 

*  a 
ft 

8 

a 

6< 

1 

S3* 

ss 
Si 

it 

High  School 

70 

62 

60 

4 

322 

423 

2 

Centre  Grammar  School    .     .     . 

85 

68 

62 

271 

62 

1055 

46 

Everett  Grammar  School  .     .     . 

102 

81 

77 

324 

2?5 

1479 

9 

Brooks  Primary  School     .     .     . 

56 

44 

35 

317 

148 

769 

95 

Union-street  Primary  School  .     . 

53 

44 

39 

201 

64 

903 

129 

Everett  Primary  School     .     .     . 

57 

50 

46 

726 

362 

1081 

339 

Salem-street  Primary  School 

46 

43 

39 

391 

101 

998 

193 

Park-street  Primary  School   .     . 

50 

46 

42 

617 

273 

736 

407 

Union-street  Alphabet  School     . 

72 

59 

50 

1032 

75 

1768 

263 

Everett  Alphabet  School  .     .     . 

70 

53 

47 

154 

180 

1267 

204 

Salem-street  Alphabet  School     . 

65 

60 

49 

620 

72 

1798 

266 

Parks-street  Alphabet  School     . 

72 

58 

49 

384 

103 

1418 

428 

*Brooks  Alphabet  School    .     .     . 

26 

26 

20 

87 

16 

112 

8 

Totals 

824 

694 

615 

5128 

2003 

13,807 

2389 

*  This  School  was  kept  only  two  months. 

Total  Expenses  from  Feb.  15,  1854,  to  Feb.  15,  1855. 

For  salaries  of  teachers $5,490.64 

Fuel •     616,45 

For  repairs  and  incidental  expenses 1,031.73 

$7,138.82 

ACADEMIES. 

Medford  has  been  famous  for  its  excellent  private  schools. 
So  early  as  1790,  Mr.  William  Woodbridge  opened  one  for 
young  ladies  and  boys,  providing  board  in  his  own  family 
for  many  who  came  from  Boston  and  other  places.  He 
seemed  to  have  discovered,  what  is  now  so  commonly  known, 
that  the  surest  way  of  having  a  select  and  full  school  was  to 
ask  the  highest  price.  At  first  he  met  with  some  success  in 
teaching,  but  more  in  salary,  and  educated  several  of  the 
first  females  of  the  State. 

His  academy  was  kept  in  the  house  formerly  occupied  by 
Colonel  Royal.  At  one  time  he  had  ninety-six  girls  and 
forty-two  boys.  His  sister  was  associated  with  him,  and  one 
male  teacher.  He  had  no  objection  to  inflict  corporal  punish- 
ment on  females  !  He  was  greatly  given  to  wild  speculations 
in  trade,  and  seemed  to  carry  something  of  this  spirit  into  his 
schoolroom.      He  had  no  system  of  teaching,  and  let  any 


292  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

pupil  read  from  any  book  he  pleased.  Such  teaching  would 
not  secure  long  patronage ;  and  Mr.  Woodbridge  relinquished 
school-keeping  for  baking,  and  failed  also  in  that  business, 
in  Charlestown.  He  then  moved  to  Connecticut ;  and  we  lose 
sight  of  him. 

Mr.  Joseph  Wyman,  of  Woburn,  who  had  kept  the  public 
school  in  Medford,  built  the  house  now  owned  by  the  Bige- 
low  family,  and  there  opened  a  private  school  for  boys  and 
girls.     He  taught  only  a  few  years. 

Mrs.  Susanna  Rawson  succeeded  Mr.  "Wyman,  and  opened 
a  boarding-school  for  girls  in  the  house  which  had  been  occu- 
pied by  him.  She  was  a  lady  of  uncommon  attainments,  apt 
in  teaching,  and  able  to  govern.  Her  school  deserved  its 
high  popularity;  and  that  its  numbers  were  great,  may  be 
inferred  from  the  following  vote  of  the  town :  — 

"  May  12,  1800 :  Voted  that  the  second  and  third  seats 
in  the  women's  side-gallery  in  the  meeting-house  be  allowed 
Mrs.  Rawson,  for  herself  and  scholars ;  and  that  she  be  al- 
lowed to  put  doors  and  locks  on  them." 

This  lady  was  quite  an  authoress ;  and  one  of  her  novels 
had  extensive  circulation. 

Mrs.  Newton  succeeded  Mrs.  Rawson,  occupying  the  same 
house  from  1803  to  1806.  She  was  a  native  of  Rhode 
Island,  and  sister  of  Gilbert  Stuart,  the  painter.  Her  success 
was  so  great  at  one  time  that  she  had  sixty  pupils,  some  of 
whom  were  foreigners,  and  many  of  them  from  neighboring 
States.  Some  of  her  pupils  became  distinguished  ladies  in 
New  England.  She  removed  to  Boston,  and  continued  her 
school  there. 

Dr.  Luther  Stearns  (H.C.  1791)  opened  a  classical  school, 
first  for  girls,  and  afterwards  for  boys  and  girls,  in  his  house, 
which  fronted  the  entrance  of  Medford  turnpike.  This  was 
a  boarding-school ;  and  but  a  few  children  of  Medford  attend- 
ed it.  Dr.  Stearns  had  been  tutor  of  Latin  at  Cambridge,  and 
ever  showed  a  preference  for  that  language.  His  school  was 
filled  with  children  from  the  first  families  of  New  England, 
with  now  and  then  a  sprinkling  of  French  and  Spanish  blood. 
A  kinder  heart  never  beat  in  human  bosom  ;  so  kind  and  tole- 
rant as  to  forbid  that  imperial  rule  and  uncompromising 
decision  so  needful  for  a  troop  of  boys.  He  prepared  many 
young  men  for  college ;  and  some  of  us  who  are  of  the  num- 
ber remember  with  delight  his  mildness  and  generosity. 

Dr.  John  Hosmer  opened  a  private  academy,  for  boys, 


EDUCATION.  293 

about  the  year  1806,  and,  by  persevering1  fidelity,  gained 
reputation.  He  built  the  large  house  on  Forest  Street  lately 
occupied  as  a  boarding-house,  and  superintended  the  amuse- 
ments as  well  as  the  studies  of  his  boarders.  He  was  not 
one  of  those  of  whom  it  is  said,  Tanto  buon,  che  val  niente. 
He  was  perhaps  less  of  a  scholar  than  a  disciplinarian ;  yet 
he  made  skilful  mathematicians  and  accomplished  linguists, 
because  he  made  students.  He  taught  his  pupils  the  force 
of  this  sentence  :  Sic  volo  ;  sicjubeo  ;  stat  pro  ratione  volun- 
tas. He  was  neither  severe  nor  unreasonable ;  for,  under  a 
soldier's  sternness,  there  nestled  something  of  a  lover's  good- 
will. 

Miss  Ann  Rose,  of  London,  opened  a  day-school,  for  girls, 
in  May,  1811;  and,  in  November,  1812,  she,  and  Miss 
Hannah  Swan,  of  Medford,  converted  it  into  a  boarding- 
school,  and  soon  found  their  house  filled  with  young  ladies 
from  the  best  families  in  the  State.  The  good  influences  of 
this  academy  can  hardly  be  over-stated.  Uniting  extensive 
literary  accomplishments  with  the  highest  moral  qualifica- 
tions, these  ladies  performed  their  legislative  and  executive 
duties  with  dignity  and  quietness,  and  labored  to  give  that 
instruction  which  develops  all  the  powers  for  health,  useful- 
ness, and  station.  They  have  lived  to  receive  showers  of 
blessings  from  grateful  pupils.     Fide  et  amove. 

Mr.  John  Angier  (H.C.  1821)  opened  a  boarding-school, 
for  boys  and  girls,  May  1,  1821,  and  took  the  same  house 
which  Dr.  Hosmer  had  formerly  used.  Having  already 
acquired  a  reputation  as  teacher,  and  being  as  highly  esteemed 
as  he  was  well  known  in  Medford,  his  success  came  early 
and  copiously.  He  devoted  his  whole  mind  and  time  to  his 
duties,  and  had  a  crowded  school  as  testimony  to  his  fidelity 
and  usefulness.  For  twenty  years  his  school  grew  in  popu- 
larity ;  and  there  was  general  regret  when  his  health  com- 
pelled him  to  resign  it  in  1841. 

During  his  teaching,  he  had  five  hundred  new  scholars  ; 
some  remained  seven  years  with  him.  Among  his  pupils,  he 
counts  Chief  Justice  Gilchrist,  of  New  Hampshire ;  and 
Justice  Benjamin  R.  Curtis,  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States. 

The  many  of  both  sexes  whom  he  has  sent  forth  rejoicing 
in  the  way  of  knowledge  and  virtue  will  ever  remember  him 
with  deepest  gratitude.     Fideli  certa  merces. 

The  private  boarding-school  for  young  ladies,  taught  for 


294  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOItD. 

twenty-four  years,  with  signal  success,  by  Miss  Eliza  Brad- 
bury, was  deservedly  ranked  among  the  most  useful  semina- 
ries within  the  neighborhood  of  Boston.  Devoting  herself 
to  the  most  substantial  and  important  branches  of  education, 
she  produced  the  most  durable  and  happy  results.  Her 
pupils  were  mostly  from  other  towns,  and  several  of  them 
from  the  most  elevated  families.  Fortiter,  fideliter,  feli- 
citer. 

Other  private  schools,  less  extensive  in  numbers  and  of 
shorter  duration,  have  done  their  share  in  the  good  work, 
and  been  a  credit  to  the  town.  For  more  than  half  a  cen- 
tury, the  excellent  schools  of  Medford  have  presented  a 
strong  inducement  for  strangers  to  settle  among  us.  Cour- 
tesy forbids  me  to  designate  by  name  that  private  classical 
school  taught  by  a  well-tried  and  successful  instructor ;  and 
those  private  boarding  and  day-schools  for  young  ladies, 
which  have  had  such  auroral  beginnings.  May  they  have 
unbroken  success ! 

MEDFORD    LITERARY    INSTITUTE. 

This  interesting  society  was  formed,  March  10,  1853,  by 
several  intelligent  and  enterprising  young  men,  for  their 
advancement  in  literature.  They  began  well,  and  have  pro- 
ceeded with  enthusiasm.  At  their  anniversary  exhibitions, 
the  Town  Hall  is  always  crowded.  Ford  et  Jideli  nihil  diffi- 
cile. 

MEDFORD    SOCIAL    LIBRARY. 

This  excellent  institution  was  established  about  1825,  and 
has  been  silently  doing  its  good  work  ever  since.  Turell 
Tufts,  Esq.,  bequeathed  to  it  five  hundred  dollars,  the  inte- 
rest of  which  must  be  expended  annually  for  the  purchase  of 
valuable  books. 

The  constitution  says,  "  The  design  of  the  society  is  to 
form  a  collection  of  books  strictly  useful,  promotive  of  piety 
and  good  morals,  and  for  the  diffusion  of  valuable  informa- 
tion. Books  of  a  light  and  unedifying  character  shall  not  be 
admitted."  Price  of  a  share,  one  dollar ;  annual  tax,  fifty 
cents.  Each  proprietor  may  take  out  two  volumes  At  a  time. 
"  Any  person,  by  paying  ten  dollars  or  more  at  one  time, 
may  become  an  honorary  member  for  life,  entitled  to  take  out 
books  as  a  shareholder,  but  without  tax  or  assessment." 


EDUCATION.  295 

The  selection  of  books,  thus  far,  has  been  marked  with 
scholarly  taste  and  Christian  principle  ;  and,  should  the  town 
adopt  this  library,  and  enlarge  it  to  meet  the  wants  of  the 
entire  population,  and  make  it  free  to  all,  it  would  be  a  bene- 
faction of  inconceivable  value. 

"  West  Medford  Lyceum  and  Library  Association  " 
was  established  by  the  zeal  of  Mr.  T.  P.  Smith,  and  was 
incorporated  in  1852.  Mystic  Hall,  built  by  him,  has  been 
used  for  lyceum  lectures  and  similar  purposes.  Valuable 
books,  contributed  at  first  by  distinguished  individuals  from 
abroad  and  by  neighbors,  laid  the  proper  foundation  for  a 
useful  and  free  library. 

SUNDAY-SCHOOL    LIBRARIES. 

Each  of  the  religious  societies  in  Meclford  has  expended 
money  freely  for  the  purchase  of  books  suited  to  children. 
The  libraries  contain,  on  an  average,  three  hundred  volumes  ; 
and  the  books  are  selected  with  judgment  and  taste.  Addi- 
tions of  new  books  are  made  every  six  months  ;  and  the  older 
books  are  often  given  to  destitute  schools  in  the  country. 


TEACHERS     LIBRARIES. 

The  commentaries  and  histories  which  explain  the  Sacred 
Scriptures  are  gathered  into  libraries  for  the  free  use  of  the 
Sunday-school  teachers,  and  are  also  used  as  manuals  in 
the  Bible  classes. 

LYCEUM    LECTURES. 

These  seem  to  have  become  an  institution.  "Where  socie- 
ties have  not  been  formed,  for  the  purpose  of  securing 
lecturers,  towns  have  taken  up  the  duty,  and  large  annual 
subscriptions  have  been  made.  Thus  the  ablest  scholars  have 
been  brought  before  the  community,  and  have  instructed  and 
charmed  thousands  by  their  learning  and  eloquence.  Med- 
ford early  adopted  the  prevalent  system  ;  and,  for  several 
years,  has  enjoyed,  through  the  winter,  a  weekly  lecture  from 
the  circle  of  favorite  orators.  The  Town  Hall  has  been  filled, 
and  the  most  friendly  feelings  promoted.     As  each  itinerant 


296  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

lecturer  prepares  but  one  address  in  a  year,  he  selects  the  most 
engrossing  topic ;  and  then,  with  great  study,  condenses  into 
one  hour  all  the  philosophy,  wit,  and  pathos  he  can  com- 
mand. The  pyrotechnic  batteries  of  thought  are  loaded  with 
surpassing  skill.  The  consequence  is,  that  the  assembly  is 
kept  at  the  highest  point  of  intellectual  excitement  during 
the  time  of  the  address.  Thus  an  extraordinary  standard  of 
public  speaking  is  erected,  which  the  Sunday  congregation 
applies  with  fatal  injustice  to  the  one  hundred  and  six  ser- 
mons which  the  stated  preacher  is  annually  compelled  to 
bring  before  the  same  audience. 

Instrumentalities  for  further  education  are  needed  in  Med- 
ford.  A  town-library  would  be  of  exceeding  value  to  thou- 
sands, who  cannot  buy,  and  will  not  borrow,  the  standard 
works  they  wish  to  read.  "Wherever  such  libraries  have 
been  established,  they  have  created  a  taste  for  study,  have 
brought  the  rich  and  poor  together,  have  worn  away  sectional 
and  sectarian  asperities,  and  united  a  town  in  the  noblest 
aims.  What  can  be  wiser  than  to  bring  the  best  results  of 
the  maturest  minds  within  the  reach  of  the  inquisitive  youth 
or  the  Christian  philanthropist,  of  the  ambitious  mechanic  or 
the  pious  mother  ? 

A  deepening  moral  responsibility  rests  on  Christian  repub- 
lics. We  are  addressed  on  every  side  by  emphatic  voices. 
Our  Pilgrim  ancestors,  from  the  Rock  of  Plymouth,  call 
to  us  from  the  invisible  past,  and  command  us  to  follow 
up  the  two  great  principles  of  the  church  and  schoolhouse 
which  they  have  bequeathed  to  us  in  trust.  So,  too,  from 
the  invisible  future,  do  coming  generations  call  to  us,  ere 
they  arrive,  beseeching  us  to  provide  for  them  that  instruc- 
tion which  shall  make  them  equal  to  all  the  demands  of  an 
advanced  civilization.  Shall  we  be  deaf  to  the  commands  of 
our  fathers,  or  the  prayers  of  our  children  1 


TUFTS  COLLEGE. 

This  is  the  first  college  on  this  continent,  or  in  the  world, 
which  has  been  created  by  the  combined  efforts,  and  con- 
trolled by  the  exclusive  agency,  of  the  denomination  called 
Universalists.  It  intends  to  take  the  motto  of  the  age,  — 
Onward,  upward.    It  begins  under  the  most  favoring  auspices, 


Tl  lis    COLLEGE.  297 

and  will  aim  at  the  highest  results.  Medford  looks  upon  it 
as  an  object  of  peculiar  interest  within  its  borders.  The 
selection  of  president  and  professors  is  a  fortunate  one  ;  and, 
believing  that  the  denomination  will  be  true  to  itself,  we  can 
anticipate  numbers  of  intelligent  and  virtuous  young  men, 
who,  in  their  old  age,  will  look  back  with  gratitude  and  joy- 
to  the  happy  and  prosperous  years  they  spent  at  Tufts  Col- 
lege in  Medford.  Year  after  year,  under  the  divine  guidance 
and  blessing,  may  this  nursery  of  learning  and  virtue  send 
forth  those  who  shall  hasten  the  coming  of  universal  light, 
universal  liberty,  and  universal  love ! 

The  following  account  has  been  kindly  furnished  us  by 
the  president :  — 

Tufts  College  originated  in  a  movement  among  Universal- 
ists  in  the  United  States,  who  felt  it  important  that  the  deno- 
mination to  which  they  belong  should  take  a  more  active  part 
in  the  cause  of  liberal  education.  Some  ten  years  ago,  a 
number  of  them  met  in  convention,  at  New  York,  to  adopt 
measures  for  establishing  a  college.  For  this  purpose  they 
ordered  a  subscription  to  be  opened  for  $100,000,  as  the 
minimum  sum.  The  enterprise,  however,  was  delayed  for 
some  years.  At  length  another  meeting  of  the  convention 
was  held,  at  which  the  Rev.  O.  A.  Skinner,  now  of  Boston, 
was  appointed  agent  to  obtain  and  collect  the  subscription. 
In  the  summer  of  1851,  he  gave  notice  that  the  amount  of 
$100,000  was  subscribed;  and  a  meeting  of  the  subscribers 
was  held  in  Boston  on  the  16th  and  17th  of  September  of 
that  year.  The  trustees  chosen  at  this  meeting  selected  Wal- 
nut Hill,  near  the  line  between  Medford  and  Somerville,  for 
the  site  of  the  college.  To  this  selection  they  were  in  some 
measure  influenced  by  the  offer  of  twenty  acres  of  land  on 
the  summit,  by  Charles  Tufts,  Esq.,  of  Sonnerville,  and  also 
by  the  offer  of  adjoining  lots  by  two  public-spirited  gentlemen 
of  Medford.  In  gratitude  for  a  munificent  donation  by  Mr. 
Tufts,  the  name,  Tufts  College,  was  adopted. 

In  the  spring  of  1852,  a  college  charter  was  granted  by 
the  Legislature  of  this  Commonwealth.  Under  the  provisions 
of  this  charter,  a  board  of  sixteen  trustees  was  subsequently 
chosen,  of  which  Mr.  Oliver  Dean,  M.D.,  of  Boston,  is  pre- 
sident. In  July,  1852,  Rev.  Thomas  J.  Sawyer,  D.D.,  of 
New  York,  was  elected,  by  the  trustees,  president  of  the  col- 
lege ;  but,  he  declining  to  accept  the  office  on  the  terms  pro- 
38 


298  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOKD. 

posed,  Rev.  Hosea  Ballou,  2d,  D.D.,  of  Medford,  was  chosen, 
in  May,  1853,  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  present  college-edifice  was  laid,  in 
form,  on  the  19th  of  July,  1853,  after  an  able  address,  deli- 
vered on  the  spot,  by  Rev.  A.  A.  Miner,  of  Boston.  The 
building  was  finished  in  the  spring  of  1854.  Mr.  S.  F.  Bry- 
ant was  the  architect.  It  is  a  plain  structure,  of  brick,  one 
hundred  feet  by  sixty  feet,  and  sixty  feet  high,  containing  a 
chapel  forty  feet  by  thirty-three  feet,  and  a  library-room  forty 
feet  by  twenty-two  feet,  besides  recitation-rooms,  lecture- 
rooms,  society-rooms,  offices,  &c,  but  no  dormitories  :  these 
last  will  be  provided  in  a  boarding-house  which  is  to  be 
erected  next  summer. 

The  course  of  instruction  in  Tufts  College  extends  through 
four  years,  and  is,  in  general,  the  same  as  that  of  other  New 
England  colleges.  With  the  regular  academical  course, 
however,  it  is  designed  to  connect  other  branches,  as  soon  as 
the  academical  course  shall  have  been  carried  into  thorough 
operation.  A  few  students  are  accommodated,  for  the  pre- 
sent year,  in  the  college-building ;  but  the  institution  will 
not  be  regularly  opened  till  about  the  1st  of  September, 
1855. 

TRUSTEES. 

Oliver  Dean,  M.D.,  President ;  Rev.  Thomas  Whitteraore,  Vice- 
President  ;  Rev.  Otis  A.  Skinner,  A.M.,  Secretary ;  Benjamin  B. 
Mussey,  Esq.,  Treasurer  of  the  College ;  Hon.  Israel  Washburn, 
jun.,  Orono,  Me. ;  Rev.  Calvin  Gardner,  Waterville,  Me. ;  Rev. 
Thomas  J.  Greenwood,  Dover,  N.H. ;  Rev.  L.  C.  Browne,  Hud- 
son, NY. ;  Rev.  Eli  Ballou,  Montpelier,  Vt. ;  Silvanus  Packard, 
Esq.,  Boston,  Mass. ;  Rev.  Hosea  Ballou,  2d,  D.D.,  Medford,  Mass. ; 
Timothy  Cotting,  Esq.,  Medford,  Mass. ;  Hon.  Richard  Frothing- 
ham,  jun.,  Charlestown,  Mass, ;  Phineas  T.  Barnum,  Esq.,  Bridge- 
port, Conn. ;  Thomas  Crane,  Esq.,  New  York  City ;  Charles 
Rogers,  Esq.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


President,  Hosea  Ballou,  2d,  D.D.,  Professor  of  History  and 
of  Intellectual  Philosophy  ;  John  P.  Marshall,  A.M.,  Professor  of 
Mathematics  and  of  Physical  Science;  William  P.  Drew,  A. B., 
Professor  of  Ancient  Languages  and  of  Classical  Literature  ;  Ben- 
jamin F.  Tweed,  A.M.,  Professor  of  Rhetoric,  Logic,  and  English 
Literature  ;  Enoch   C.  Rolfe,  M.D.,  Professor  of  Physiology  and 

Hygiene ; ,  Professor  of  Moral  Science  and  of  Political 

Economy ; ,  Professor  of  Modern  Languages. 


TUFTS    COLLEGE.  299 


ADMISSION    TO    THE    REGULAR    COLLEGE    COURSE. 

Applicants  for  admission  must  produce  certificates  of  their  good 
moral  character.  If  they  come  from  other  colleges,  certificates  also 
of  their  regular  dismission  therefrom  are  required. 

For  admission  to  the  Freshman  Class,  an  examination  must  be 
well  sustained  in  the  following  studies  :  — 

Latin :  Virgil's  Bucolics,  Georgics,  and  six  books  of  the  yEneid ;  Caesar's 
Commentaries,  or  Sallust;  Cicero's  Select  Orations  (Folsom's  or  Johnson's 
edition) ;  Andrews's  and  Stoddard's  Latin  Grammar,  including  Prosody ; 
Arnold's  Latin  Prose  Composition,  to  the  Dative.  Greek  :  Felton's  or  Jacob's 
Greek  Reader  (or  four  books  of  Homer's  Iliad,  with  three  books  of  Xenophon's 
Anabasis) ;  Sophocles',  Crosby's,  or  Kuhner's  Greek  Grammar.-including  Pro- 
sody ;  Arnold's  Greek  Prose  Composition,  to  the  Moods ;  Writing  of  Greek 
Accents.  Mathematics  :  Arithmetic  ;  Smyth's  Algebra,  to  Equations  of  the 
Second  Degree.  History :  Modern  Geography ;  Worcester's  Ancient  Geogra- 
phy ;  Goodrich's  History  of  the  United  States. 

For  admission  to  an  advanced  class,  an  examination  must  be  well 
sustained,  both  in  these  studies  and  in  the  studies  through  which 
such  class  shall  have  already  passed. 

No  person  can  be  admitted  after  the  beginning  of  the  Senior 
Year. 

Examinations  for  admission  will  be  held  on  the  day  after  the 
Commencement,  and  on  the  Tuesday  preceding  the  beginning  of  the 
Fall  Term.  The  examinations  will  begin  at  eight  o'clock,  a.m.,  on 
each  of  these  days. 

Before  his  admission,  every  candidate  must  give  a  bond  of  $200, 
with  two  sureties,  to  pay  all  his  college  bills.  To  be  admitted  to 
an  advanced  standing,  he  must  also  pay,  or  secure  the  payment  of, 
one-half  of  the  tuition  which  shall  have  accrued  in  the  previous 
years  and  terms  of  the  regular  course,  unless  he  comes  from  another 
college ;  provided  that,  if  he  be  admitted  at  the  beginning  of  the 
Senior  Year,  the  tuition  of  the  Junior  Year  shall  be  the  only  arrears 
required  of  him. 

Partial  Courses  of  Study.  —  Persons  who  do  not  enter  for  a  col- 
lege degree,  and  who  produce  certificates  of  their  good  moral  cha- 
racter, may  be  received  to  such  studies,  in  any  class,  as  they  shall, 
on  examination,  be  found  qualified  to  pursue  with  profit ;  and  they 
may  continue  therein  at  their  pleasure,  on  condition  of  obeying  the 
laws  of  the  college,  and  paying  one-third  more  than  the  regular 
tuition  for  the  time  they  remain. 

COURSE    OF    STUDY. 

Freshman  Class.  —  First  Term.  —  Latin  :  Lincoln's  Livy  ;  Zumpt's 
Grammar,  for  reference  ;  Roman  Antiquities  ;  Arnold's  Latin  Prose  Compo- 
sition. Greek  :  Felton's  Greek  Historians ;  Grecian  Antiquities  ;  Ajnold's 
Greek  Prose  Composition.  Mathematics  :  Smyth's  Algebra.  History  :  We- 
ber's Outlines,  to  the  "  Macedonian  Period  ;  "  Age  of  Themistocles,  Pericles, 
and  Alcibiades,  in  Smith's  History  of  Greece.  Rhetoric  :  English  Grammar  ; 
Elocution  ;  Murdock  and  Russell's  Orthophony  ;  Declamations. 

Second  Term. —  Latin  :  Livy,  continued ;  Lincoln's  Horace.Odes  and  Epodes ; 


300  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


Latin  Metres ;  Latin  Prose  Composition.  Greek  :  Homer's  Odyssey  ;  Greek 
Prose  Composition.  Mathematics :  Algebra,  continued ;  Euclid,  five  books. 
History  :  Weber,  continued  to  the  end  of  "  Ancient  History  ;  "  Roman  Com- 
monwealth. Natural  Theology  :  Paley's.  Rhetoric  :  English  Grammar,  and 
Orthophony,  continued ;  Themes  ;  Declamations. 

Sophomore  Class.  —  First  Term.  —  Latin  :  Horace's  Satires  and  Epistles  ; 
Cicero  de  Amicitia ;  Writing  Latin.  Greek :  Demosthenes'  Olinthiacs  and 
Philippics  ;  Buttmann's  and  Ktthner's  Grammars,  for  reference ;  Writing 
Greek.  Mathematics  :  Euclid,  continued  ;  Smyth's  Plane  Trigonometry  ; 
Surveying;  Navigation.  History:  Weber,  continued  to  the  end  of  the  "  Mid- 
dle Ages  ; "  Hallam's  Middle  Ages.  Revealed  Religion  :  Paley's  Evidences. 
Rhetoric  :  Elocution  ;  Themes  ;  Declamations. 

Second  Term.  —  Latin  :  Cicero  de  Officiis  ;  Writing  Latin.  Greek :  Aris- 
tophanes' Clouds  ;  Greek  Metres  i  Writing  Greek.  Mathematics  :  Smyth's 
Calculus ;  Spherical  Trigonometry.  History :  Weber,  continued  to  the  "  Colo- 
nization of  America  ;  "  Sismondi's  Italian  Republics ;  English  Commonwealth. 
Physiology :  Hooker's,  with  Lectures.  Rhetoric :  Day's  Rhetoric ;  Elocu- 
tion ;  Themes ;  Declamations. 

Junior  Class.  —  First  Term.  —  Latin  :  Juvenal's  Satires  ;  Latin  Trans- 
lations. Greek :  iEschylus'  Septem  contra  Thebas ;  Greek  Translations. 
Physics  :  Olmsted's  Mechanics.  History :  Weber,  continued  to  the  "  French 
Revolution;"  French  Revolution  of  1789.  Moral  Science:  Alexander's. 
Rhetoric  :  Themes  ;  Declamations.  Elective  Studies.  —  French  :  Fasquelle's 
Exercises ;  Saintine's  Picciola.  Mathematics  :  Davies's  Analytical  Geometry. 
Natural  History :  Lectures. 

Second  Term.  —  Physics  :  Olmsted's  Astronomy.  History  :  Weber,  con- 
cluded. Intellectual  Philosophy  :  Wayland's.  Rhetoric :  Whately's  Logic  ; 
Themes ;  Original  Declamations.  Hygiene :  Lectures.  Elective  Studies.  — 
Latin  :  Tacitus'  Germania  and  Agricola ;  Latin  Translations.  Greek  :  Thu- 
cydides ;  Greek  Translations.  French :  Collot's  Chefs  d'ffiuvre  Drama- 
tiques.  Italian  :  Ollendorff's  Grammar ;  La  Gerusalemme  Liberata.  Mathe- 
matics :  Bridge's  Conic  Sections. 

Senior  Class.  —  First  Term.  —  Physics  :  Chemistry,  with  Lectures. 
Intellectual  Philosophy  :  Wayland's.  Political  Economy :  Wayland's.  Rhe- 
toric :  Whately's  Logic  ;  Themes  ;  Forensics  ;  Original  Declamations.  Elec- 
tive Studies.  —  Latin  :  Terence's  Andria  ;  Translations  from  Greek  into 
Latin.  Greek :  Sophocles'  Antigone ;  Translations  from  Latin  into  Greek. 
German :  Adler's  Ollendorff  and  Reader.  Mathematics :  Davis's  Linear 
Perspective. 

Second  Term.  —  Physics  :  Mineralogy  and  Geology,  with  Lectures.  Poli- 
tical Economy  :  Wayland's.  Natural  and  Revealed  Religion :  Butler's  Ana- 
logy. Rhetoric :  Lectures  on  the  English  Language  and  Literature ;  Themes  ; 
Declamations.  Elective  Studies.  —  Latin  :  Cicero  pro  Cluentio.  Greek  : 
Demosthenes  de  Corona.  German :  Schiller's  Thirty  Years'  War ;  Gothe's 
.Iphigenia.  Spanish  :  Ollendorff's  Grammar  ;  Novelas  Espanolas.  Mathema- 
tics :  Davies's  Shades  and  Shadows. 

Public  College  Exercises.  —  A  public  examination  of  all  the 
classes  will  be  held,  during  not  less  than  four  days,  immediately 
before  the  end  of  each  term.  There  will  also  be,  in  each  term,  a 
public  exhibition ;  for  which  parts  will  be  assigned  to  members  of 
the  Junior  and  Senior  Classes,  according  to  their  general  scale  of 
merit. 

Religious  Observances.  —  All  resident  under-graduates,  resident 
students  in  partial  courses,  and  resident  officers  of  instruction,  are 
required  to  attend  morning  and  evening  prayers,  and  the  reading  of 
the  Scriptures,  in  the  chapel. 


GRADUATES. 


301 


They  are  also  required  to  attend  public  worship  on  Sundays,  and 
on  days  of  the  annual  Thanksgiving  and  Fast,  at  such  places  as  the 
Faculty  may  appoint ;  provided  always  that  the  parents  or  guar- 
dians may,  at  the  beginning  of  the  college-year,  appoint  the  place  of 
public  worship  for  those  who  are  under  age  ;  and  that  those  who  are 
of  age  may,  at  that  time,  choose  the  place  for  themselves,  and 
report  it  to  the  Facult}\ 

A  biblical  exercise  is  held  every  Saturday  evening,  which  the 
members  of  all  the  classes  have  the  privilege  of  attending. 

Terms,  Vacations,  and  Commencement.  —  The  academical  year 
is  divided  into  two  terms.  The  first  term  of  the  academical  year 
begins  six  weeks  after  the  second  Wednesday  of  July,  and  ends' on 
the  second  "Wednesday  of  January.  The  second  term  begins  six 
weeks  after  the  second  Wednesday  of  January,  and  ends  on  the 
second  Wednesday  of  July. 

At  the  end  of  each  term,  there  is  a  vacation  of  six  weeks. 
There  are  vacations  also  from  the  Tuesday  evening  next  before  the 
annual  Thanksgiving  till  the  following  Monday  evening,  on  Christ- 
mas Day,  on  the  day  of  the  annual  Fast,  on  Wednesday  and  Thurs- 
day of  Anniversary  Week,  and  on  the  Fourth  of  July. 

The  public  Commencement  is  held  on  the  second  Wednesday  of 
July. 

EXPENSES. 

Tuition $35.00  a  year. 

Room-rent from  $10.00  to  15.00       „ 

Use  of  Library 5.00       „ 

Board,  not  including  washing  and  fuel 2.50  a  week. 

Students,  who  choose,  board  themselves. 
Students  who  keep  schools  may  be  absent  from  college,  on  that 
duty,  for  a  period  not  exceeding  thirteen  weeks,  including  the  win- 
ter vacation ;  they  continuing  their  studies  the  mean  while. 

GRADUATES. 


List  of  persons,  born  in  Medford  or  once  resident  there, 
who  have  received  collegiate  degrees  :  — 

Thomas  Tufts  .     .  . 

Aaron  Porter    .     .  . 
John  Tufts   .... 

Ebenezer  Turell   .  . 

Simon  Tufts      .     .  . 

Ammi  R.  Cutter   .  . 

Joshua  Tufts     .     .  . 

Simon  Tufts      .     .  . 
"William  Whitmore 

Cotton  Tufts     .     .  , 

Samuel  Brooks      .  . 


1701 

William  Symmes  .     . 

1750 

1708 

Edward  Brooks     .     . 

1757 

1708 

Samuel  Angier      .     . 

1763 

1721 

Simon  Tufts      .     .     . 

1767 

1724 

David  Osgood  .     .     . 

1771 

1725 

John  Bishop      .     .     . 

1776 

1736 

Ephraim  Hall  .     .     . 

1776 

1744 

Cotton  Tufts     .     .     . 

1777 

1744 

William  Woodbridge 

1780 

1749 

George  H.  Hall     .     . 

1781 

1749 

Timothy  Bigelow 

.     1786 

HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


Samuel  Angier      .     .     . 

1787 

George  B.  Osborn 

.     1820 

John  Brooks      .     .     .     . 

1787 

John  Angier      .     .     . 

.     1821 

Luther  Stearns      .     .     • 

1791 

Ward  C.  Brooks   .     . 

.     1822 

Hall  Tufts 

1794 

Caleb  Stetson   .     .     . 

.     1822 

Abner  Bartlett      .     .     . 

1799 

Charles  Angier      .     . 

1827 

John  Hosmer    .     .     .     . 

1800 

Elijah  N.  Train    .     . 

1827 

Aaron  Hall  Putnam  .     . 

1800 

John  James  Gilchrist 

1828 

John  Pierpont  .     .     .     . 

1803 

Joseph  Angier       .     . 

1829 

Daniel  Swan     .     .     .     . 

1803 

Charles  V.  Bemis 

1835 

John  Brooks     .     .     .     . 

1805 

George  Clisby  .     .     . 

1836 

Joseph  Hall       .... 

1807 

Thomas  S.  Harlow '  . 

1836 

William  C.  Woodbridge 

1811 

Thompson  Kidder 

1836 

Edward  Brooks     .     .     . 

1812 

Andrew  D.  Blanchard 

1842 

David  Osgood  .... 

1813 

Horace  D.  Train  .     . 

1842 

Andrew  Bigelow  .     .     . 

1814 

Benjamin  L.  Swan     . 

1844 

Gorham  Brooks     .     .     . 

1814 

Hosea  Ballou,  '2d  .     . 

1844 

Jonathan  Porter    .     .     . 

1814 

Timothy  Bigelow  .     . 

1845 

John  P.  Bigelow   .     .     . 

1815 

Sanford  B.  Perry  .     . 

1845 

Convers  Francis    .     .     . 

1815 

James  A.  Hervey  .     . 

1849 

Charles  Brooks     .     .     . 

1816 

Albert  F.  Sawyer 

1849 

William  Ward  .... 

1816 

Thomas  Meriam  Stetson 

1849 

Sidney  Brooks .... 

1819 

George  D.  Porter 

1851 

Thomas  Savage  Clay 

1819 

Peter  C.  Brooks    .     . 

1852 

William  H.  Furness  .     . 

1820 

Gorham  Train  .     .     . 

1852 

Edward  B.  Hall    .     .     . 

1820 

Samuel  C.  Lawrence 

1855 

Medford  once  had  eight  under-graduates,  at  the  same  time, 
in  Harvard  College. 


PHYSICIANS. 

For  many  years  the  inhabitants  of  Medford  employed  the 
physicians  of  the  neighboring  towns  ;  and  there  was  small 
need  of  medicine  where  all  had  simple  diet,  fresh  air,  and 
moderate  labor.  As  early  as  1720,  two  doctors  appear  in  the 
town  records,  —  Dr.  Oliver  Noyce  and  Dr.  Ebenezer  Nutting. 
The  first  died  in  1721 ;  and  the  second  is  not  found  in  the 
records  but  a  year  or  two  afterwards.  Of  these  two  practi- 
tioners, not  being  graduates,  nothing  has  been  discovered 
concerning  them. 

The  name  of  Dr.  John  Bishop  appears  on  the  tax-bills  of 
1726-7,  and  then  vanishes. 

Dr.  Simon  Tufts,  son  of  Peter,  born  in  Medford,  Jan.  31, 
1700,  died  here,  Jan.  31,  1747.  He  graduated  at  Harvard 
College  in  1724.  He  pursued  his  medical  studies  under  all 
the  advantages  which  nearness  to  Boston  could  give,  and  be- 
came distinguished  in  his  profession.      He  is  called  doctor  in 


PHYSICIANS,  303 

the  town  records,  May,  1724.  The  college  at  that  time  had 
not  commenced  the  giving  of  medical  degrees.  He  is  called 
"  the  first  physician  of  Medford."  During  a  short  residence 
■with  his  townsman  and  relative,  Rev.  John  Tufts,  at  New- 
bury, he  connected  himself  with  the  church  there,  and  was 
recommended  by  that  church  to  the  one  in  Medford,  May, 
1734. 

To  show  how  much  he  labored,  how  well  he  succeeded, 
and  how  truly  he  was  loved,  we  quote  here  the  following 
brief  and  discriminating  notice  of  him  which  appeared  in  the 
public  papers  immediately  after  his  death  :  — 

"  Medfosd,  Feb.  5,  1747. 
"On  the  31st  of  January,  died  here,  of  a  convulsive  asthma,  and 
this  day  was  decently  buried,  Simon  Tufts,  Esq.,  having  just  com- 
pleted his  forty-seventh  year.  He  was  a  gentleman  well  descended 
and  liberally  educated.  He  was  the  youngest  son  of  Captain  Peter 
Tufts,  of  this  town,  by  his  second  wife,  who  was  daughter  of  the 
Rev.  Seaborn  Cotton,  of  Hampton.  He  took  his  degrees  at  Harvard 
College  in  the  years  1724  and  1727.  He  early  applied  himself  to 
the  study  of  physic,  and  soon  became  eminent  in  that  profession. 
He  was  honored  with  three  commissions,  —  one  for  the  peace,  in  the 
year  1733  ;  another  for  a  special  justice,  in  1741 ;  and  a  third  for 
justice  of  the  quorum,  1743  ;  and  was  very  faithful  and  useful  in  these 
offices.  He  was  a  man  of  substantial  religion,  and  exhibited  the 
virtues  of  the  Christian  in  all  relations,  stations,  and  conditions.  The 
removal  of  such  an  excellent  person  (in  these  degenerate  times) 
calls  for  lamentation  and  supplication.  Psalm  xii.  1 :  '  Help,  Lord  ; 
for  the  godly  man  ceaseth ;  for  the  faithful  fail  from  among  the 
children  of  men.'  He  has  left  a  sorrowful  widow,  and  seven  chil- 
dren, —  four  sons,  and  three  daughters." 

One  hundred  and  eight  years  having  passed  since  his 
death,  little  more  can  now  be  collected  concerning  him. 
They  who  knew  him  testify  that  his  practice  was  very  exten- 
sive, —  reaching  even  to  Haverhill  and  Newbury ;  that  he 
enjoyed  the  respect  and  affection  of  all*  who  knew  him ;  that 
the  country  mourned  his  loss  ;  and  that  funeral  sermons  were 
preached  at  Medford,  Boston,  Charlestown,  and  Cambridge. 
He  was  often  called  to  visit  the  sick  at  Harvard  College  ;  and, 
though  not  rich  himself,  never  demanded  fees  except  from 
'  rich  students.  It  is  indicative  of  the  industry  and  economy 
of  that  age,  that,  while  his  oldest  son,  Simon,  was  at  college, 
his  father  placed  him  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Foxcraft,  the 
County  Register  of  Deeds,  that  he  might  pay  for  his  board 
by  writing  in  the  office. 


304  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Dr.  John  Thomas  was  a  medical  student  under  his  care, 
and,  at  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution,  commanded  at 
Dorchester  Heights,  and  afterwards  at  Ticonderoga,  where 
he  died  of  the  smallpox. 

The  following  lines  were  from  the  pen  of  his  son,  Dr. 
Cotton  Tufts,  of  Weymouth  :  — 

"  Upon  the  death  of  my  honored  father,  Simon  Tufts,  Esq.,  who  died  suddenly, 
Jan.  31,  1747,  in  the  evening." 

"  Death  seized,  and  snatched  my  tender  father  hence, 
To  live  enthroned  in  happiness  immense. 
Religion,  grace,  and  truth  possessed  his  soul ; 
And  heaven- born  love  he  breathed  from  pole  to  pole. 
His  grateful  country  owned  his  signal  worth, 
And  gave  him  public  life  in  civil  birth. 
A  friend  to  all  mankind  ;  true  to  every  cause, 
Where  bound  by  virtue  or  his  country's  laws. 
Sweet  peace  he  loved,  and  peace  he  oft  prolonged 
When  jarring  parties  wished  themselves  revenged. 
To  vice,  the  wretch  would  tell  his  just  disdain  : 
He  ne'er  the  sword  of  justice  held  in  vain. 
The  poor  he  fed  ;  their  wants  he  oft  supplied  : 
The  rich  and  poor,  for  health,  on  him  relied. 
The  church  and  public  spread  around  his  grave 
Tears :  these  could  ne'er  their  friend  and  patron  save. 
H;>d  tears  from. this  event  the  husband  dear, 
The  best  of  fathers,  friend,  relation  near, 
Detained,  he  still  had  blessed  our  loving  sight, 
Nor  had  we  seen  the  sorrows  of  that  night. 
Methinks  I  hear  some  blissful  seraph  say :  — 
'Mark  well,  my  friend,  the  strait,  the  shininij  way  . 
That  is  the  path  thy  Christian  neighbor  trod,  — 
The  path  that  ends  in  happiness  and  God.'  " 

Rev.  Dr.  Colman,  of  Boston,  in  his  sermon,  preached  at 
Medford,  April  6,  1735,  after  the  death  of  his  daughter, 
Mrs.  Jane  Turell,  speaks  thus  of  Dr.  Tufts :  "  I  leave  a 
grateful  record  of  my  particular  obligation  to  the  pious  and 
beloved  physician  of  the  town,  who,  to  and  even  beyond  his 
power,  has  always  ministered  gratis  to  the  pastor  and  his 
family.  The  Lord  show  kindness  to  the  house  of  his  ser- 
vant!" 

1725,  he  built  the  house,  which  yet  stands,  on  the  south- 
east corner  of  Forest  and  Main  Streets,  in  the  market,  front- 
ing the  bridge ;  and  it  well  represents  the  second  style  of 
building  adopted  by  our  ancestors. 


PHYSICIANS.  305 

Two  sons  of  Dr.  Tufts,  Simon  and  Cotton,  studied  medi- 
cine. Simon,  the  eldest,  finished  his  three  years  of  prepara- 
tion with  his  father  just  before  that  father's  death.  The 
inhabitants  of  Medford  were  anxious  to  have  this  promising 
young  man  become  their  physician,  and  invited  him  to  the 
office ;  which  he  accepted.  Entering  upon  his  practice  with 
confidence  and  reputation  given  in  advance,  as  if  his  father 
had  bequeathed  to  him  his  knowledge  and  experience,  he 
had  only  to  answer  the  expectations  of  his  friends.  He  did 
this,  and  more.  He  was  born  Jan.  16,  1727,  and  graduated  at 
Harvard  College  in  1744.  At  his  father's  death  he  had  not 
attained  his  majority.  The  care  of  his  mother  and  her  six 
children  devolved,  in  great  measure,  on  him.  Encouraged 
by  friends  at  home,  and  having  the  promise  of  aid  in  his 
medical  practice  from  Dr.  Brattle,  of  Cambridge,  he  took 
courage.  His  mild  yet  truthful  character  commanded  the 
respect,  while  it  won  the  affection,  of  all.  His  classmates 
considered  him  a  ripe  Latin  scholar,  and  a  boon  companion. 
He  had  the  talent  of  agreeableness.  He  received  from  his 
father  the  old-fashioned  habits  of  urbanity,  which  he  observed 
with  a  sort  of  religious  strictness.  No  one  passed  him  unno- 
ticed. It  was  his  custom  to  lift  his  hat  to  each  one  he  met, 
no  matter  what  the  age  or  color.  It  was  said  he  wore  out 
two  hats  where  other  gentlemen  wore  out  one.  His  example 
was  so  attractive  and  so  uniform  that  he  moulded  the  man- 
ners of  the  town.  It  was  in  this  school  that  his  pupil,  John 
Brooks,  caught  the  last  finish  of  dignity  and  grace  for  which 
he  was  signalized.  Aug.  30,  1770,  he  received  from  the 
king  the  commission  of  justice  of  the  peace,  signed  by  Go- 
vernor Hutchinson. 

Dr.  Tufts  had  the  entire  practice  of  Medford,  and  was 
frequently  called  into  the  neighboring  towns.  When  the 
question  of  Independence  came  up,  he  took  side  for  it  with 
warmth,  and  devoted  himself  to  the  wounded  soldiers,  who 
were  brought  here  after  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  He  was 
the  most  intimate  friend  of  Colonel  B-oyal,  who  appointed 
him  the  sole  agent  of  his  large  estate  ;  and  it  was  by  the  skilful 
and  manly  conduct  of  Dr.  Tufts  that  the  confiscation  of  the 
colonel's  property  was  deferred.  In  municipal  affairs  he 
took  a  lively  interest,  and  served  the  town  in  some  important 
offices,  notwithstanding  his  professional  engagements.  When 
quite  a  young  man,  November,  1745,  he  made  his  public  pro- 
fession of  Christianity,  and  lived  consistently  therewith.  In 
39 


306  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

his  speculative  opinions,  he  inclined  to  what  was  then  called 
Arminianism.  He  was  so  interested  in  the  virtuous  character 
and  thirst  for  knowledge  of  young  John  Brooks  that  he 
almost  adopted  him  as  a  son.  He  took  his  pupil  under  a 
written  indenture,  as  an  apprentice  for  seven  years,  to  learn 
the  science  and  practice  of  medicine' ;  and  the  teacher  was  as 
faithful  as  the  pupil  was  ambitious.  He  put  him  to  a  classical 
school,  took  him  into  his  family,  directed  his  studies  in  medi- 
cine, and  at  length  invited  him  to  Medford,  and  resigned  to 
him  his  practice.  To  show  the  standing  which  Dr.  Tufts  had  as 
a  scholar,  we  need  only  mention  that  he  was  one  of  the  first  in 
the  State  who  felt  the  need  of  a  medical  society ;  and  he  was 
called  to  the  first  meeting  for  consummating  the  plan,  which 
meeting  took  place  on  the  third  Monday  in  March,  1765,  at 
Gardner's  tavern,  on  Boston  Neck.  Of  those  who  have  been 
members  of  that  distinguished  society,  Dr.  Tufts's  name  stands 
the  second,  in  the  order  of  time,  on  the  college  catalogue. 
A  fall  from  his  horse  brought  on  bleeding  of  the  lungs  ;  and 
he  died  Dec.  31,  1786,  aged  sixty,  leaving  a  property  of 
£2,676.  Is.  U. 

On  the  tombstone  of  these  two  physicians  we  read  the 
following  :  "  Both  eminent  in  their  profession  ;  just  towards 
man,  and  devout  towards  God." 

It  is  worthy  of  record,  that  one  medical  pupil  of  the  father, 
and  another  medical  pupil  of  the  son,  became  distinguished 
officers  in  the  revolutionary  army. 

Dr.  Cotton  Tufts,  born  1732,  brother  of  the  above,  gra- 
duated at  Harvard  College  1749 ;  studied  medicine  with  his 
brother  ;  settled  in  Weymouth  ;  became  the  chosen  friend  and 
agent  of  Hon.  John  Adams  ;  was  elected  member  of  the 
American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences ;  a  vice-president 
and  president  of  the  Massachusetts  Medical  Society.  He 
died  in  1815,  revered  for  his  Christian  piety,  beloved  for 
his  extensive  usefulness,  and  admired  for  his  common  sense. 
Dr.  Aaron  Putnam,  who  married  Rebecca  Hall,  daughter 
of  Aaron  Hall,  of  Medford,  May  9,  1780,  lived  in  this  town 
ten  years ;  but  his  medical  practice  was  so  limited  that  he 
removed  to  Charlestown,  and  formed  a  partnership  with 
Messrs.  Morse  and  Woodbridge,  in  the  baking  business.  In 
this  he  was  not  successful.     He  died  in  Charlestown. 

Dr.  John  Brooks  had  not  the  advantages  of  a  collegiate 
education ;  but  this  fact  stimulated  him  to  make  up  for  it  by 
extraordinary  application.     The  consequence  was,  a  self-made 


PHYSICIANS.  307 

man  of  the  highest  type.  After  completing  his  medical 
studies  with  Dr.  Tufts,  he  settled  in  Reading,  and  went 
thence  to  the  army  After  the  Revolution,  the  people  of 
Medford  called  him,  as  by  acclamation,  to  become  their  phy- 
sician. He  accepted  ;  and  here  through  a  long  life  he  had  no 
competitor,  and  witnessed  only  an  increase  of  business  and 
popularity.  It  was  common  for  him  to  ride,  in  his  practice, 
as  far  as  Andover,  Lynn,  Watertown,  and  Boston.  He  re- 
ceived the  honorary  degree  of  master  of  arts,  in  1787,  from 
Harvard  and  Yale  Colleges.  From  Harvard  he  received  the 
degree  of  doctor  of  medicine  in  1810,  and  that  of  doctor  of 
laws  in   1817. 

Dr.  Luther  Stearns,  who  came  to  Medford  as  a  teacher, 
occasionally  practised  as  a  physician  ;  but  his  duties  to  his 
school  presented  obstacles  to  his  wide  employment  in  medi- 
cal duties,  and  he  finally  relinquished  the  profession.  His 
very  acute  sensibilities  must  have  made  him  most  acceptable 
in  a  sick-chamber ;  while  in  surgical  cases  they  may  have 
been  a  hinderance.  On  the  election  of  Dr.  Brooks  to  the 
office  of  governor,  he  resigned  his  medical  practice  to  his 
pupil  and  friend,  — 

Dr.  Daniel  Swan,  of  Medford,  —  who  graduated  at  Harvard 
College  in  1803.  He  first  entered  on  practice  at  Brighton, 
in  1808,  where  for  eight  years  he  had  all  the  success  he  an- 
ticipated. He  was  invited  by  the  inhabitants  of  Medford,  in 
1816,  to  become  their  physician ;  and,  having  obeyed  the  call, 
he  has  practised  nearly  forty  years  as  the  established  physician 
of  the  place.  Very  early  he  turned  his  attention  to  homoeo- 
pathy ;  and,  as  soon  as  he  could  procure  the  books  to  examine 
it  scientifically,  he  became  a  convert  to  its  principles.  His 
practice  did  not  much  diminish  on  this  account ;  and  he  may 
be  said  almost  to  have  carried  the  town  with  him  to  his  new 
faith.  He  thinks  his  success  has  been  much  greater  under 
the  new  system.  As  he  has  withdrawn  from  general  practice 
on  account  of  age,  it  would  seem  affectation  to  suppress  here 
what  is  every  day  repeated  in  the  street,  — namely,  that  every- 
body respects  and  loves  him,  and  calls  him  the  "good 
Samaritan."  A  graphic  writer  says  of  him  in  print,  "  His 
beneficent  career  is  so  interwoven  with  each  thread  of  his  ex- 
istence, that  it  will  be  impossible  to  do  him  justice  until  the 
dead  rise  and  give  their  account." 

Dr.  David  Osgood  (H.C.  1813),  born  in  Medford,  selected 
Boston  as  his  home ;    and,  first  as  an  allopathic,  and  then 


308  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

(after  a  visit  to  Dr.  Hahnemann  in  Europe)  as  a  homoeopathic 
practitioner,  has  held  a  high  rank.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Massachusetts  Medical  Society. 

Dr.  Samuel  Gregg,  born  in  New  Boston,  N.H.,  came  to 
Medford  and  commenced  practice  in  1826,  and  for  fourteen 
years  pursued  the  allopathic  system  of  cure.  By'  a  visit  to 
Dr.  Vandenburg,  in  New  York,  he  became  acquainted  with 
the  homoeopathic  system,  and  has  since  used  none  other. 
For  the  last  few 'years  he  has  been  a  most  successful  practi- 
tioner in  Boston,  where  he  has  resided. 

Dr.  Milton  Fuller,  who  has  practised  acceptably  in  Med- 
ford and  the  neighboring  towns  for  the  last  twelve  years,  on 
the  homoeopathic  system,  has  just  removed  to  Boston. 

Of  the  present  physicians  of  the  town,  now  in  full  practice, 
and  justly  esteemed  by  all  who  know  them,  the  usual  rules 
of  courtesy  forbid  us  to  speak.  Drs.  Bemis  and  Dorr  prac- 
tise on  the  allopathic  system. 

In  reviewing  the  last  century  and  a  quarter,  we  find  that 
the  terms  of  service  with  four  physicians  have  filled  up  this 
long  period!  Medford  certainly  has  not  been  given  to 
change  ;  and  was  ever  town  more  favored  in  its  physicians  ? 
They  were  men  of  medical  science,  of  practical  skill,  of  quick 
sensibility,  and  irreproachable  morals.  How  steady  and 
powerful  the  beneficent  action  of  such  Christian  professors 
amid  the  most  trying  scenes  of  human  life !  What  so  disgust- 
ing as  a  profane  and  licentious  physician  ?  There  are  some 
noble  scholars  in  the  medical  profession  who  maintain  that 
there  are  very  small  advances  made  in  therapeutic  science, 
compared  with  those  in  kindred  branches.  They  are  awaking 
to  the  demands  of  the  age ;  and  the  happiest  results  will  in 
due  time  follow. 


The  number  of  lawyers  'resident  in  Medford  has  been 
very  small,  —  the  quarrelling  propensities  of  the  people 
smaller  still.  Office  business  has  been  the  chief  source  of 
emolument.  Hon.  Timothy  Bigelow  came  from  Groton,  to 
reside  in  Medford,  in  1808  ;  but  he  relied  on  the  whole  county 
for  business,  and  had  as  much  as,  perhaps  more  than,  any  other 
lawyer.  Standing  so  eminently  at  the  bar,  he  accumulated  a 
fortune  by  his  indefatigable  labors.  As  a  senator,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Executive  Council,  a  representative,  and  speaker 


309 


of  the  House,  he  was  placed  among  the  most  efficient  and 
accomplished.  For  many  years  he  represented  Medford  in 
the  General  Court ;  and  during  the  whole  time  he  filled  the 
speaker's  chair  with  signal  success.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  American  Academy.  He  was  a  professor  of  Christianity , 
and  a  constant  attendant  on  public  worship.  He  died  May, 
1821,  aged  fifty-four. 

Abner  Bartlett,  Esq.,  whose  name  first  appears  on  the  town 
records  in  1808,  was  born  in  Plymouth,  and  graduated  at 
Harvard  College  1799.  He  preferred  not  to  appear  as  an 
advocate  before  a  jury.  His  taste  led  him  to  the  unostenta- 
tious duties  of  a  legal  life ;  and  for  forty  years  he  attended 
acceptably  to  all  that  Medford  needed.  As  a  representative, 
legal  adviser,  town  officer,  and  justice  of  the  peace,  he  was  as 
faithful  to  duty  as  is  the  needle  to  the  pole.  He  belonged 
to  the  working-men,  but  was  one  of  the  "  festina  lente  " 
school.  He  loved  human  law  much  ;  but  he  loved  the  divine 
law  more.  No  one  distinguished  more  clearly  between 
things  that  differ,  and  no  one  more  heartily  approved  those 
that  were  excellent.  Truthfulness  was  interwoven  with 
every  fibre  of  his  soul ;  and  he  was  for  reform  in  its  best 
sense.     He  did  not 

««  Crook  the  pregnant  hinges  of  his  knee, 
That  thrift  might  follow  fawning. 

Among  the  inhabitants  of  Medford,  there  has  not  probably 
been  a  man  who  has  served  the  town  in  so  many  anc  respon- 
sible offices  as  this  gentleman.  He  was  not  made  for  a  leader ; 
he  had  not  that  kind  of  force,  but  left  the  race  to  those  who 
coveted  the  laurels.  He  was  a  faithful  member  of  the 
church,  and  all  but  revelled  in  spiritual  disquisitions.  As  a 
neighbor  he  was  most  friendly,  as  a  critic  most  caustic,  and  as 
a  wit  most  ready.  He  died  Sept.  3,  1850,  aged  seventy-four. 
Omne  tulit  punctum  qui  miscuit  utile  dulci. 

Jonathan  Porter,  Esq.,  born  in  Medford,  devoted  the  ener- 
gies of  a  strong  mind  and  a  ripe  scholarship  to  the  science  of 
law  ;  and,  while  his  health  allowed,  he  practised  his  profes- 
sion in  Boston.  For  many  years  past  he  has  been  an  invalid, 
confined  to  his  house ;  but  he  has  been,  nevertheless,  a  dili- 
gent student  in  literature  and  the  classics.  He  has  enter- 
tained sickness  as  he  would  entertain  an  angel,  and  has 
hallowed  all  his  sufferings  by  a  meek  submission. 

Sanford  B.  Perry,  Esq.,  has  taken  the  place  of  Mr.  Bart- 


310  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

lett,  and  has  already  been  elected  a  member  of  the  Senate  of 
Massachusetts.  May  it  be  long  before  his  name  can  come 
under  the  care  of  the  historian. 

A  similar  wish  we  may  express  for  Thomas  S.  Harlow, 
Esq.,  who  is  a  permanent  and  valuable  resident  in  Medford, 
but  attends  to  his  professional  business  in  Boston. 


PUBLIC    CHARACTERS. 

Medford  has  furnished  its  share  of  public  characters,  who 
have  done  it  honor  ;  and  they  include  a  governor,  lieutenant- 
governor,  councillors,  senators,  representatives,  clergymen, 
physicians,  lawyers,  authors,  two  professors  in  colleges,  a 
mayor  of  Boston,  and  military  commanders  in  the  army  and 
navy  of  the  United  States.  We  may  be  allowed  to  signalize 
our  ladies,  who  have  been  called  to  public  stations.  Two 
have  -represented  the  country,  as  wives  of  ministers,  at  the 
Court  of  St.  James  ;  and  another  has  written  and  published 
more  perhaps  than  any  other  female  in  the  United  States. 


AUTHORS. 

The  following  list  of  printed  works  contains  all  that  have 
come  to  our  knowledge.  Names  in  the  order  of  gradua- 
tion :  — 

KEV.   EBENEZER   TURELL. 

Essay  on  Witchcraft 1728 

Biographical  Notice  of  Mrs.  Jane  Colman  Turell  ....  1735 

A  Direction  to  my  People  in  Relation  to  the  Present  Times  1742 
Mr.  Turell's  Dialogue  between  a  Minister  and  his  Neighbor 

about  the  Times 1742 

Biographical  Notice  of  Rev.  Benjamin  Colman      ....  1749 

MBS.   JANE   COLMAN   TUEELL. 

Her  literary  productions  are  noticed  elsewhere. 

REV.    DAVID    OSGOOD. 
Sermons. 

On  the  Annual  and  National  Thanksgiving 1783 

At  the  Installation  of  Rev.  Peter  Thatcher,  in  Brattle-street 

Church,  Boston 1785 

Before  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Artillery,  in  Boston  .     .  1788 

At  Ordination  of  Rev.  N.  Thayer,  in  Lancaster     .     .     .     .  1793 

On  the  Annual  Thanksgiving 1794 

On  the  Day  of  the  Nat?onal  Thanksgiving 1795 


fflzzrjt/fafc 


. 


311 


On  the  Death  ofa  Child,  killed  by  a  Gun 1797 

Before  the  Annual  Convention  of  the  Congregational  Mini- 
sters of  Massachusetts 1798 

At  the  Ordination  of  Rev.  Leonard  Woods,  at  Newbury      .  1798 
The  Devil  let  Loose  ;  or,  the  Woe  occasioned  by  his  wrath- 
ful Appearance,  —  a  Sermon  on  Fast  Day 1799 

On  the  Death  of  General  Washington 1799 

Dudlean   Lecture ;  Validity  of  Presbyterian  Ordination,  — 

delivered  in  the  Chapel  of  Harvard  College 1802 

At  the  Funeral  of  Rev.  Joseph  Roby,  at  Lynn      ....  1803 
The  Validity  of  Baptism  by  Sprinkling,  and  the  Right  of 

Infants  to  that  Ordinance 1804 

On  Family  Religion 1808 

At  the  Annual  Election 1809 

At  the  University  in  Cambridge 1810 

A  Solemn  Protest  against  the  late  Declaration  of  War    .     .  1812 
At  the  Ordination  of  the  Rev.  Convers  Francis,  in  Water- 
town  1819 

Volume  of  Sermons,  pp.  469 1824 

SAMUEL    HALL. 

He  was  born  in  Medford,  November,  1740,  and  served 
his  apprenticeship,  at  the  printing-business,  with  his  uncle, 
Daniel  Fowle,  of  Portsmouth.  He  began  business  in  1763, 
at  Newport,  R.I.,  in  company  with  Anne  Franklin.  He  left 
Newport  in  March,  1768,  and  opened  a  printing-office  in 
Salem  in  April,  and  commenced  the  publication  of  the 
"  Essex  Gazette,"  Aug.  2  of  that  year.  In  1772,  he 
admitted  his  brother  Ebenezer  as  partner  in  trade ;  and 
the  firm  was  Samuel  and  Ebenezer  Hall.  They  remained  in 
Salem  until  May,  1775,  when  they  removed  to  Cambridge, 
and  printed  in  Stoughton  Hall.  Their  paper  was  then  called 
"  New  England  Chronicle  and  Salem  Gazette."  Ebenezer 
was  born  in  Medford,  September,  1749,  and  died  in  Febru- 
ary, 1776,  aged  twenty-seven.  He  learned  the  art  of  print- 
ing from  his  brother.  He  was  a  good  workman,  a  steady 
young  man,  and  promised  to  be  an  able  editor. 

After  the  death  of  Ebenezer,  his  brother  Samuel  removed 
to  Boston,  and  remained  there  till  1781,  when  he  returned 
to  Salem,  and,  on  Thursday,  Oct.  17,  1781,  published  the 
"  Salem  Gazette."  The  last  sheet  of  this  paper  which  he 
issued  was  on  Thursday,  Nov.  22,  1785.  After  this,  he 
removed  to  Boston ;  and  on  Monday,  Nov.  26,  of  that  month, 
he  issued  the  first  sheet  of  the  "Massachusetts  Gazette." 
He  died  Oct.  30,  1807,  aged  sixty-seven.     He  was  an  able 


312  HISTORY    OF    MEDl'OKI). 

-writer,  and  an  impartial  editor ;  a  very  industrious  man,  and 
a  friendly  neighbor  ;  a  true  American  patriot,  and  a  humble, 
pious  Christian. 

REV.    JOHN   PIERPONT. 

The  Portrait,  a  Political  Poem 1812 

Airs  of  Palestine,  a  Religious  Poem 1816 

Sermon,  "  What  think  ye  of  Christ  ?  " 1823 

Sermon,  "  Knowledge  is  Power," — Annual  Fast .  .  .  .  1827 
Sermon  occasioned  by  the  Death,  at  Sea,  of  Rev.  Dr.  Holley, 

his  immediate  Predecessor 1827 

Sermon  before  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Artillery  Com- 
pany    1828 

Sermon,  The  Object  of  the  Resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ  .  1828 
Sermon  preached  at  Northfield,  Mass.,  Feb.  27, 1828,  at  the 

Ordination  of  Mr.  Samuel  Presbury 1828 

Sermon,  "  New  Heavens  and  a  New  Earth  " 1830 

Sermon,  "The  Fashion  of  this  World  passeth  away"      .     .  1830 

Sermon,  The  Garden  of  Graves 1832 

Sermon,  The  Great  Salvation 1833 

Sermon,  Ephesian  Letters 1833 

Sermon  preached  at  Northfield,  Mass.,  March  8,  at  the  Or- 
dination of  Mr.  Oliver  C.  Everett 1837 

Sermon,  Angelic  Ministrations 1837 

Address    to   the    Congregation,  at  the  Installation  of  Mr. 

Henry  A.  Miles,  at  Lowell 1836 

Sermon,  The  Moral  Rule  of  Political  Action 1839 

Sermon,  The  Reformer  and  the  Conservative 1839 

Sermon,  Annual  Fast 1840 

The  Airs  of  Palestine,  and  other  Poems,  —  a  volume  of 

Miscellaneous  Poems 1840 

Sermon,  "  I  have  lost  my  Children,  and  am  Desolate  "    .     .  1841 

Sermon,  "  The  Prophets,  —  do  they  live  for  ever?  "...  1842 

Sermon,  The  Covenant  with  Judas 1842 

Sermon,  "  Man  dieth,  and  wasteth  away  " 1843 

Charge,  at  the  Installation  of  Rev.  John  T.  Sargent,  at  So- 

merville,  Feb.  18,  1846 1846 

Sermon,  "  Despise  not  the  Little  Ones  " 1850 

The  American  First  Class  Book 1823 

The  National  Reader 1827 

These  were  followed  by  "  The  Introduction  to  the  National 
Reader,"  "  The  Young  Reader,"  and  "  The  Little  Learner." 

1854,  "  The  New  Reader  "  was  compiled,  and  "  The  Ameri- 
can First  Class  Book,"  and  "  The  National  Reader  "  revised. 

Between  1838  and  1845,  Mr.  Pierpont  published  nume- 
rous documents,  in  pamphlet  form,  which  make  up  his  part 
of  "The  Hollis-street  Controversy." 


313 


,'ILLIAM    CHANNING   WOODBRIDGE. 


Modern  School  Geography  and  Atlas,  eleventh  edition. 
Annals  of  Education,  editor. 

AVoodbridge  and  Willard's  Geography ;  accompanied  by  an  Atlas, 
Physical  and  Political,  for  the  Use  of  the  Higher  Classes. 


REV.    ANDRE"\Y    BIGELOW. 


This  gentleman  has  published  a  large  octavo  volume, 
describing  his  travels  in  Europe,  and  several  sermons,  and 
very  valuable  reports  respecting  the  ministry  to  the  poor  in 
Boston.  Of  the  much  that  he  has  written  so  well,  we  regret 
that  no  catalogue  of  his  printed  works  could  be  procured. 

REV.    CONVERS   PRANCIS. 

A  Sermon  at  the  Ordination  of  Rev.  Benjamin  Kent  as  As- 
sociate Pastor  with  Rev.  John  Allyn,  D.D.,  Duxbury      .     1826 

On  Experimental  Religion 1827 

Errors  in  Education  :  a  Discourse  at  the  Anniversary  of  the 

Derby  Academy,  in  Hingham,  May  21 1828 

Address  delivered  on  the  Fourth  of  July,  1828,  at  Water- 
town,  &c 1828 

A  Discourse  before  the  Middlesex  Bible  Society,  in  Bedford     1828 

An  Historical  Sketch  of  Watertown,  Mass.,  from  the  first 
Settlement  of  the  Town  to  the  Close  of  its  Second  Cen- 
tury     1830 

Sermon  on  the  Presence  of  God  with  the  Good  Man. 

A  Sermon  at  the  Ordination  of  the  Rev.  Oliver  Stearns  over 

the  Second  Congregational  Society  in  Northampton    .     .     1831 

Sermon  on  the  Value  of  enlightened  Views  of  Religion      .     1831 

The  Christian  Charge  described  by  the  Apostle  Peter    .     .     1832 

Discourse  at  Plymouth,  Mass.,  Dec.  22 1832 

Sermon  on  Love  to  Christ. 

Sermon  on  Grace  as  connected  with  Salvation. 

Christianity  a  purely  internal  Principle. 

Christ  the  Way  to  God. 

"The  Dust  to  Earth,  the  Spirit  to  God" #-     •     1833 

A  Dudlean  Lecture  before  the  University  of  Cambridge, 
May  8,  1833,  —  Popery  and  kindred  Principles  un- 
friendly to  the  Improvement  of  Man 1833 

Three  Discourses  (printed  together)  in  Watertown  ;  two  on 
leaving  the  Old  Meeting-house,  and  one  at  the  Dedica- 
tion of  the  New 1836 

The  Life  of  John  Eliot,  the  Apostle  to  the  Indians,  —  vol.  v. 

in  Sparks's  American  Biography 1836 

"The  Death  of  the  Aged" 1841 

The. Life  of  Sebastian  Rasle,  Missionary  to  the  Indians,— 

vol.  vii.,  new  series,  of  Sparks's  American  Biography      .     1845 
40 


314  HISTORY    OF    MED  FORD. 

In  the  "Collections  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  So- 
ciety "  are  the  following  papers  :  — 

Memoir  of  Rev.  John  Allyn,  D.D.,  of  Duxbury    ....     1836 

Memoir  of  Dr.  Gamaliel  Bradford 1846 

Memoir  of  Hon.  Judge  Davis 1849 

The  following  articles  in  the  "  Christian  Disciple/'  new 
series :  — 

On  the  Use  of  the  Word  Mystery,  vol.  ii. ;  Remarks  on  Matt,  xxviii. 
19,  vol.  iii. ;  The  Gospel  a  New  Creation,  vol.  iv. ;  Obituary 
Notice  of  Rev.  Dr.  Osgood,  vol.  iv. 

The  following  articles  in  the  "  Christian  Examiner :  "  — 

Reason  and  Faith,  vol.  iii. ;  Article  on  Dr.  Robert  South's  Dis- 
courses, vol  iv. ;  Article  on  Dr.  Paley's  Life  and  Writings,  vol. 
v. ;  Article  on  Dr.  Young's  Library  of  Old  English  Prose  Wri- 
ters, vol.  vi.,  new  series  ;  Article  on  Crombie's  Natural  Theology, 
vol.  vii.,  new  series ;  Article  oh  Reinhard's  Plans  and  Memoirs, 
&c,  vol.  viii.,  new  series.    . 

In  the  "■  American  Monthly  Review,"  the  following  :  — 
Review  of  Memoirs  of  Oberlin 1832 

In  the  "  Unitarian  Advocate  :  "  — 
On  Isaiah  lxiv.  6 ;  The  Friendship  of  the  World. 

In  the  "  Scriptural  Interpreter  :  "  — 
St.  Paul's  Combat  at  Ephesus 1832 

In  the  "  Juvenile  Miscellany/'  edited  by  Mrs.  Child,  the 
following  :  — 

Several   Translations   from   Herder,  at   different   times ;    several 
Illustrations  of  Scripture,  at  different  times. 

Right  Hand  of  Fellowship  at  the  Ordination  of  Rev.  Charles 

Brooks,  in  Hingham 1821 

The  Address  to  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  Society 1829 

Obituary  Notice  of  Rev.  Dr.  Foster,  of  Brighton  ....     1829 
Address  to  the  Society  at  the  Ordination  of  Rev.  T.  B.  Fox, 

Newburyport 1831 

Charge  at  the  Installation  of  Rev.  Edward  B.  Hall,  Provi- 
dence, R.I 1832 

Address  to  the  Society  at  the  Ordination  of  Rev.  John  Pier- 

pont,  jun.,  Lynn 1843 

Obituary  Notice  of  Rev.  Samuel  Ripley 1*47 

Address  to  the  Society  at  the  Ordination  of  Rev.  Horatio 

Stebbins,  in  Fitchburg 1851 

Obituary  Notice  of  Miss  Eliza  Townsend     ...'...     1854 


:U5 


MRS.    LYDIA   MARLV   CHILD. 

Hobomok,  an  Indian  Story 1824 

Rebels,  a  Tale  of  the  Revolution 1825 

Juvenile  Miscellany,  16  vols.,  edited     .     .     .      from  1826  to  1834 

The  Girl's  Own  Book 1831 

The  Mother's  Book 1831 

The  Oasis,  an  Antislavery  Annual 1833 

Appeal  in  behalf  of  the  Africans 1833 

History  of  Women,  2  vols 1835 

Philothea,  a  Grecian  Romance 1836 

Letters  from  New  York,  2  vols 1843-4 

Fact  and  Fiction 1845 

Flowers  for  Children,  3  vols 1845-6 

Life  of  Isaac  T.  Hopper 1853 

The  Progress  of  Religious  Ideas  through  successive  Ages, 

3  vols 1855 

REV.    HOSEA   BALLOU. 

Contributions  to  the  Universalist  Magazine 1819-28 

A  Sermon  delivered  at  Roxbury,  January 1822 

A  Sermon  delivered  at  the  Installation  of  the  Rev.  Thomas 

G.  Farnsworth,  in  Haverhill,  Mass.,  April  12    ...     .  1826 
The  Ancient  History  of  Universalism,  from  the  time  of  the 
Apostles  to  its  Condemnation  in  the  Fifth  General  Coun- 
cil, A.D.  553 ;  with  an  Appendix,  tracing  the  Doctrine 

down  to  the  Era  of  the  Reformation 1829 

Articles  in  the  "  Universalist  Expositor  " 1830-40 

Reply  to  Tract  No.  224. of  the  American  Tract  Society  .     .  183& 
Introduction  to  an  American  edition  of  the  History  of  the 
Crusades  against  the  Albigenses  in  the  Thirteenth  Cen- 
tury, by  J.  C.  L.  Sismondi 1833 

A  Collection  of  Psalms  and  Hymns  for  the  Use  of  Univer- 
salist Societies  and  Families 1839 

Articles  in  the  "  Universalist  Quarterly  and  General  Re- 
view"  1844-55; 

A  few  Contributions  to  Religious  Newspapers. 

REV.    CHARLES   BROOKS. 

Perils  of  Truth  in  Controversy 1820 

Address  before  Hingham  Peace  Society 1821 

Address  before  Scituate  Temperance  Society 1822 

Family  Prayer-book, —  17th  edition,  1853;  1st  edition   .     .  1822 

Annual  Address  before  Old  Colony  Peace  Society      .     .     .  IS 23 

Account  of  St.  Thome  Christians 1823 

Abstract  of  the  History  of  the  Jews 1824 

Description  of  the  Jewish  Festivals 1824 

Daily  Monitor,  —  Reflections  for  each  Day  in  the  Year  .     .  1828 

New  Year's  Sermon  on  Procrastination 1830 

Prayers  for  Young  Persons 1831 


316  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Biography  of  Eminent  Men  and  Women,  2  vols 1832 

Visit  to  Vaucluse,  France 1833 

Visit  to  Mount  Vesuvius  during  an  Eruption,  February  .     .  1834 

Leaves  from  a  Journal,  —  Carnival  and  Holy  Week  at  Rome  1835 

Discourse  at  the  Funeral  of  Rev.  Jacob  Flint,  Cohasset     .  1835 
Prussian  System  of  Education,  Sec,  —  Lectures  delivered 
before  the  Legislatures  of  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire, 

Vermont,  and  Connecticut 1836 

History  of  Preaching  in  New  England 1836 

Oration  at  Quincy,  July  4      . 1837 

Normal  Schools,  —  Lecture  before  American  Institute  of 

Instruction,  at  Worcester 1837 

System  of  Education  in  Holland,  —  Introductory  Lecture 

before  the  American  Institute  of  Instruction,  at  Lowell  .  1838 
"  Letters  of  a  Foreign  Correspondent ; "  being  Communica- 
tions from  Europe,  on  Science,  Natural  History,  Education, 

Pauperism,  Fine  Arts,  and  Religion 1838-44 

Artesian  Wells,  —  Account  of  the  first  one  at  Paris,  France  1841 
Parisian  Linguist,  —  an  easy  Method  of  obtaining  a  true 

Pronunciation  of  French 1842 

American  School  of  Fine  Arts,  —  a  Speech  made  in  Rome, 

Italy,  Feb,  22 1843 

Remarks  at  Annual  Meeting  of  the  American  Unitarian 

Association 1844 

Natural  History,  —  A  Lecture  before  the  American  Institute 

of  Instruction,  at  Portland 1844 

Protestantism  in  France,  "  Christian  Examiner"    ....  1844 
Christian  in  his  Closet,  —  Volume  of  Prayers  for  Individuals  ; 

2d  edition 1845 

Superintendence  of  the  Boston  Schools 1845 

Improvisations  of  Italy,  —  Account  of  Rosa  Taddei,  as  wit- 
nessed at  Rome  in  1843 1845 

Annual  Report  of  the  School  Committee  of  Boston    .     .     .  1846 

Remarks  on  Education,  Peace,  and  Labor,  in  Europe,  2d  ed.  1846 

Elementary  Course  of  Natural  History,  —  Ornithology  '    .  1847 

Account  of  Richfield  Springs,  New  York 1847 

Ride  through  the  Gulf,  Green  Mountains,  October      .     .     .  1847 
Four  Annual  Reports  of  the  Sunday-school  Society :  1.  On 
the  Evils  existing ;  2.  On  the  Remedies ;  3.  On  the  Fa- 
mily; 4.  Statistics  of  Schools  in  United  States  .     .     .    1847-50 

Plan  of  a  Farm-school  for  City  Boys' 1849 

Sermon  on  the  Cholera,  Greenfield ,  1849 

Concluding  Lecture,  —  American  Institute  of  Instruction  ; 

On  the  Duties  of  Legislatures,  —  at  Montpelier,  Vt.   .     .  1849 

Address  at  Dedication  of  Brooks  Schoolhouse 1*51 

Sanatory  Survey  of  the  State,  "  Christian  Examiner  "    .     .  1851 

On  Marriage  of  First  Cousins 1852 

History  of  Medford 1855 


1 


317 


Contributions  to  Silliman's  Journal ;  Journals  of  Education 
in  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  New  Hampshire,  New 
York,  and  Ohio ;  North  American  Review ;  Knicker- 
bocker ;  Graham's  Magazine ;  Friend  of  Peace ;  Chris- 
tian Citizen  ;  Colonization  Tracts  ;  Christian  Examiner  ; 
Unitarian  Miscellany  ;  Monthly  Religious  Magazine. 

EEV.    WILLIAM    H.    FURNESS. 

Remarks  on  the  Four  Gospels 1836 

Jesus  and  his  Biographers 1838 

The  Spirit  of  the  Pilgrims ;  an  Oration  delivered  before  the 

Society  of  the  Sons  of  New  England  of  Philadelphia,  Dec. 

22 1846 

Derby  Academy  Lecture,  —  Doing  before  Believing  .  .  1847 
An  Address  delivered  before  the  Art  Union  of  Philadelphia  1848 
Mirror  of  Nature,  translated  from  the   German  of  G.  H. 

Schubert 1849 

Gems  of  German  Verse ;  containing  the  Song  of  the  Bell, 

and  other  Translations  by  various  hands 1851 

A  History  of  Jesus,  2d  edition,  with  Introduction  and  Notes  1853 
Domestic  Worship. 

Discourses 1855 

The  Kingdom  of  Heaven,  an  Ordination  Sermon  at  Somer- 

ville,  Mass. 
Faith  in    Christ,   Ordination   of   Mr.   Hodges    at    Barre, 

Mass. 

REV.    EDWARD    B.    HALL. 

A  Sketch  of  the  Life  and  Character  of  the  Hon.  Samuel 

Howe,  from  the  "  Christian  Examiner  " 1828 

A  Sermon  on  Fear  as  a  Religious  Principle 1832 

A  Sermon  on  Old  Age 1835 

Two  Discourses,  comprising  a  History  of  the  First  Congre- 
gational Church  in  Providence,  after  the  Close  of  a  Cen- 
tury from  the  Formation  of  the  Church,  with  an  Appen- 
dix      1836 

The  Temperance  Reform,  from  the  "  Christian  Examiner," 

March 1840 

Discourse  on  the  National  Fast,  after  the  Death  of  President 

Harrison 1841 

Discourse  on  the  Death  of  William  E.  Channing,  D.D.  .  .  1842 
Christians  forbidden  to  fight.     Address  before  the  Rhode 

Island  Peace  Society 1844 

Discourse  in  behalf  of  the  Children's  Friend  Society  .  .  .  1845 
The   Punishment   of  Death,   from    the  "  North  American 

Review" 1845 

The  Value  of  a  Man ;  a  Discourse  occasioned  by  the  Death 

of  Henry  Wheaton 1848 

Memoir  of  Mary  L.  Ware,  wife  of  Henry  Ware,  jun.     .     .     1853 


318  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOKD. 

The  Spirit  of  Truth ;  a  Discourse  at  the  Dedication  of  the 
new  Divinity  Hall,  in  the  Meadville  Theological  School, 
Pa 1854 

The  Scriptural  Doctrine  of  Good  "Works. 

What  is  it  to  be  a  Unitarian  ? 

The  Atonement. 

No  Professed  Religion. 

The  Life  and  Times  of  John  Howland ;  a  Discourse  deli- 
vered before  the  Rhode  Island  Historical  Society. 

REV.    CALEB    STETSON. 

An  Oration  delivered  at  Lexington,  July  4 1825 

A  Sermon  preached  before  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Ar- 
tillery Company,  June  7 1830 

Tracts  of  the  American  Unitarian  Association :  — 

The  Apostle  Paul  a  Unitarian ;  Piety  at  Home ;  Domestic  Wor- 
ship. 

Articles  in  the  "  Christian  Examiner  :  "  — 
The  Temperance  Movement ;  Harriet  Martineau's  Society  in  Ame- 
rica ;    The  Word,  —  Exposition  of  John  i. ;   Margaret   Fuller's 
Summer  on  the  Lakes  ;  The  Log  Cabin. 

Articles  in  the  "  Unitarian  Advocate  :  "  — 

The  Saviour's  Temptation  in  the  Wilderness  ;  The  Saviour's  Agony 

in  the  Garden. 
A  Sermon  on  the  Burning  of  the  Ursuline  Convent    .     .     .     1834 
Address  to  the  Society  in  New  Bedford,  at  the  Ordination  of 

Joseph  Angier •     .     .     1835 

Two  Discourses  preached  to  the  First  Congregational  Soci- 
ety in  Medford ;  one  on  leaving  the  Old  Church,  and  one 

at  the  Dedication  of  the  New .     .     1839 

Intuition  of  God  ;  a  Sermon 1840 

Sermon  on  the  State  of  the  Country 1842 

Sermon  on  the  Principle  of  Reform,  preached  at  the  Ordi- 
nation of  John  Pierpont,  jun.,  January      .     .     .     .  •  .     .     1843 
Address  to  the  Society  in  Somerville,  at  the  Ordination  of 

John  T.  Sargent 1846 

KEV.    NATHANIEL   HALL. 

Two  Discourses  preached  on  the  Sunday  after  Ordination  .  1835 
A  Sermon  preached  on  the  Sunday  after  the  Resignation  of 

Rev.  Dr.  Harris  as  Colleague  Pastor   .......     1836 

An  Address  at  the  Funeral  of  Rev.  T.  M.  Harris,  D.D.  .  .  1842 
A  Sermon   at  the  Ordination  of  Rev.  Hiram  Withington, 

Leominster,  Mass 1844 

A  Sermon  occasioned  by  the  Death  of  Mrs.  John  Howe, 

and  others 1844 


319 


A  Sermon  on  doing  justly 1845 

A  Sermon  on  the  Death  of  Children 1845 

A  Sermon  at  the  Ordination  of  Rev.  Frank  P.  Appleton, 

Danvers,  Mass 1846 

A  Sermon  on  the  Limits  of  Civil  Obedience 1851 

A  Sermon  commemorative  of  the  Life  and  Services  of  Ro- 
bert Thaxter,  M.D 1852 

A  Sermon  on  the  Death  of  Mr.  James  Pierce 1853 

A  Sermon  preached  at  West  Cambridge  after  the  Death  of 

Rev.  James  F.  Brown 1853 

ME.3.    JANE    TURELL. 

This  lady,  daughter  of  Rev.  Benjamin  Colman,  D.D.,  was 
born  in  Boston,  Feb.  25,  1708 ;  was  married  to  Rev.  Ebe- 
nezer  Turell,  of  Medford,  Aug.  11,  1726  ;  joined  the  church, 
Oct.  29,  1727 ;  and  died  March  26,  1735.  She  had  three 
children,  all  of  whom  died  early. 

Some  further  notice  of  this  talented,  accomplished,  and 
Christian  lady  is  required  at  our  hands  ;  and  we  gladly  rely 
on  the  statements  contained  in  "  two  sermons,  preached  at 
Medford,  April  6,  1735,  by  Benjamin  Colman ;  "  and  "  Me- 
moirs of  her  Life  and  Death,  by  Ebenezer  Turell." 

"  Before  her  second  year  was  completed,  she  could  speak  dis- 
tinctly, knew  her  letters,  and  could  relate  many  stories  out  of  the 
Scriptures  to  the  satisfaction  and  pleasure  of  the  most  judicious.  I 
have  heard  that  Governor  Dudley,  with  other  wise  and  polite  gen- 
tlemen, have  placed  her  on  a  table,  and,  sitting  around  it,  owned 
themselves  diverted  with  her  stories.  Before  she  was  four  years 
old  (so  strong  and  tenacious  was  her  memory),  she  could  say  the 
greater  part  of  the  Assembly's  Catechism,  many  of  the  Psalms, 
some  hundred  lines  of  the  best  poetry,  read  distinctly,  and  make 
pertinent  remarks  on  many  things  she  read." 

Her  father  devoted  himself  to  her  education.  .  She  inhe- 
rited a  poetic  talent ;  and  some  verses  written  by  her,  in  the 
beginning  of  her  eleventh  year,  show  its  cultivation.  In  her 
youthful  diary  we  find  the  following  :  — 

"  1.  Thank  God  for  my  immortal  soul,  and  that  reason  and  under- 
standing which  distinguish  me  from  the  lower  creation. 

"  2.  For  my  birth  in  a  Christian  country,  in  a  land  of  light, 
where  the  true  God  and  Jesus  Christ  are  known. 

"3.  For  pious  and  honorable  parents,  whereby  I  am  favored 
beyond  many  others. 

"  4.  For  faithful  and  godly  ministers,  who  are  from  time  to  time 
showing  me  the  way  of  salvation. 

"  5.  For  a  polite  as  well  as  Christian  education. 


320  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

"  6.  For  restraining  grace,  that  I  have  been  withheld  from  more 
open  and  gross  violations  of  God's  holy  laws." 

Before  her  marriage,  she  laid  down  the  following  rules  :  — 

"  1.  I  will  admit  the  addresses  of  no  person  who  is  not  descend- 
ed of  pious  and  creditable  parents. 

"  2.  Who  has  not  the  character  of  a  strict  moralist,  —  sober,  tem- 
perate, just,  and  honest. 

"  3.  Diligent  in  his  business,  and  prudent  in  matters. 

"  4.  Fixed  in  his  religion,  a  constant  attender  on  the  public  wor- 
ship, and  who  appears  not  in  God's  house  with  the  gravity  becoming 
a  Christian. 

"  5.  Of  a  sweet  and  agreeable  temper ;  for  if  he  be  owner  of  all 
the  former  good  qualifications,  and  fails  here,  my  life  will  be  still 
uncomfortable." 

These  rules  governed  her  in  her  choice.  She  had  that 
elasticity  of  mind  and  buoyancy  of  heart  which  belonged  to 
her  nervous,  bilious  temperament.  Capable  of  the  tenderest 
emotions,  and  being  a  ready  lover  of  beauty  and  virtue,  it 
was  not  strange  that  she  should  be  interested  in  a  young 
gentleman  whom  she  had  seen  so  much  at  her  father's  house, 
and  whom  that  father  had  taught  her  to  respect.  Her  rolling 
black  eye  had  often  telegraphed  to  his  heart ;  and  Mr.  Turell 
was  not  so  much  surprised  as  delighted  to  receive  the  fol- 
lowing anonymous  letter  :  — 

"  Sir,  —  You  are  to  me  the  most  agreeable  person  in  the  world ; 
and  I  should  think  myself  very  happy  if  Providence  should  order  it 
as  I  desire  ;  but,  sir,  I  must  conceal  my  name,  fearing  you  should 
expose  me ;  and  if  you  do  not  incline  to  find  me  out,  I  must  submit 
to  my  hard  fate ;  but  if  you  comply  with  my  desire,  I  am  your 
obliged  friend." 

"  Out  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart  the  mouth  speaketh." 
Love's  polarity  in  this  letter-missive  was  not  to  be  mistaken ; 
and  the  consequence  of  it  was  the  marriage  above  recorded  ; 
and  a  happy  marriage  it  was.  She  loved  to  love.  The  fol- 
lowing letter  from  Dr.  Colman  to  his  daughter  is  pleasant 
proof  of  domestic  joy  :  — 

"  Boston,  Dec.  20,  1726. 

"My  Dear,  —  Your  letter  of  the  9th  of  this  month  was  exceed- 
ingly pleasant  to  me  and  to  your  mother,  wherein  you  express 
your  great  contentment  in  the  kind  disposals  of  Providence  respect- 
ing you.  No  worldly  thing  can  rejoice  us  more  than  your  happi- 
ness in  Mr.  Turell,  and  his  in  you.  You  will  emulate  his  tender 
regards  to- you  and  his  incomparable  good  temper;  and,  learning  of 


AUTHORS.  321 

him,  return  the  same  to  him,  that  he  may  have  as  rich  a  blessing  in 
you  as  you  have  in  him.  Mr.  Turell  will  direct  you  in  renewing 
your  espousals  to  Christ  at  his  table.  Delay  not  this  duty,  but 
join  yourself  to  that  church  and  people  of  God  who  (you  say)  are 
so  full  of  good-will  and  love  to  you.  Give  yourself  first  to  the 
Lord,  and  then  unto  them  by  the  will  of  God." 

It  was  her  custom,  after  her  marriage,  to  study  and  write. 
She  made  poetry  her  recreation.  Her  husband  says  of 
her,  — 

"  What  greatly  contributed  to  increase  her  knowledge  in  divinity, 
history,  physic,  controversy,  as  well  as  poetry,  was  her  attentive 
hearing  most  that  I  read  upon  those  heads  through  the  long  even- 
ings of  the  winters  as  we  sat  together." 

Her  letters  to  her  father  were  full  of  that  sweet,  filial  reve- 
rence which  ancient  manners  promoted  more  than  modern. 
She  sends  him  a  pressing  invitation,  in  verse,  to  visit  her  in 
the  happy  manse  at  Medford.  Her  residence  then  was  on 
the  spot  now  occupied  by  the  house  of  Misses  Elizabeth  and 
Lucy  Ann  Brooks,  —  the  spot  on  which  this  history  has  been 
written.  In  imitation  of  Horace,  she  recounts  the  reasons 
for  his  coming.  The  poem  is  too  long  to  be  extracted  here ; 
so  we  give  only  a  part :  — 

•«  From  the  soft  shades  and  from  the  balmy  sweets 
Of  Medford's  flowery  vales  and  green  retreats, 
Your  absent  Delia  to  her  father  sends, 
And  prays  to  see  him  ere  the  summer  ends. 
Now,  while  the  earth's  with  beauteous  verdure  dyed, 
And  Flora  paints  the  meads  in  all  her  pride ; 
While  laden  trees  Pomonia's  bounty  own, 
And  Ceres'  treasures  do  the  fields  adorn  ; 
From  the  thick  smokes  and  noisy  town,  oh,  come, 
And  in  these  plains  a  while  forget  your  home. 
But  though  rich  dainties  never  spread  my  board, 
Nor  my  cool  vaults  Calabrian  wines  afford ; 
Yet  what  is  neat  and  wholesome  I  can  spread,  — 
My  good,  fat  bacon,  and  our  homely  bread, 
With  which  my  healthful  family  is  fed  ; 
Milk,  from  the  cow,  and  butter  newly  churned ; 
And  new,  fresh  cheese,  with  curds  and  cream  just  turned. 
For  a  dessert,  upon  my  table's  seen 
The  golden  apple  and  the  melon  green  : 
The  blushing  peach  and  glossy  plum  there  lies, 
And,  with  the  mandrake,  tempt  your  hands  and  eyes. 
This  I  can  give  ;  and  if  y#u'll  here  repair, 
To  slake  your  thirst,  a  cask  of  autumn  beer, 
Reserved  on  purpose  for  your  drinking  here. 
No  stately  beds  my  humble  roof  adorn, 
Of  costly  purple,  by  carved  panthers  borne  ; 
Nor  can  I  boast  Arabia's  rich  perfumes, 
Diffusing  odors  through  our  stately  rooms. 
41 


322  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

For  me  no  fair  Egyptian  plies  the  loom  ; 
But  my  fine  linen  all  is  made  at  home. 
Though  I  no  down  or  tapestry  can  spread, 
A  clean,  soft  pillow  shall  suppport  your  head, 
Filled  with  the  wool  from  off  my  tender  sheep, 
On  which  with  ease  and  safety  you  may  sleep. 
The  nightingale  shall  lull  you  to  your  rest, 
And  all  be  calm  and  still  as  is  your  breast." 

In  writing  to  her  only  sister,  in  1728,  she  says, — 

"  You  have  now  just  passed  your  childhood,  and  are  arrived  at 
that  stage  of  life  which  is  most  exposed  to  snares  and  temptations. 
Put  away  all  childish  things.  Behave  yourself  womanly  and  like 
a  Christian  to  all  with  whom  you  converse.  Indulge  not  a  passion- 
ate or  fretful  temper,  much  less  a  haughty  or  insulting  carriage, 
towards  the  meanest  servant  in  the  family.  Be  obliging,  and 
modest,  and  humble ;  so  shall  you  deserve  and  have  the  esteem  of 
everybody.  Be  thankful  to,  and  pray  for,  them  that  are  so  kind  as 
to  admonish  you.  Be  contented.  Wish  not  yourself  in  another's 
place,  or  that  you  had  another's  liberty." 

Before  the  birth  of  her  first  child,  she  was  in  low  spirits, 
and  wrote  in  sad  tone  to  her  father  ;  to  which  he  made  the 
following  reply :  — 

"  Boston,  March  6,  1728. 

"  My  Dear,  —  I  thank  you  for  your  letter  of  yesterday,  but  am 
sorry  you  pine  so  after  me,  and  seem  so  melancholy.  You  have 
reason  to  be  glad  and  rejoice  in  the  Lord.  Fear  not  as  to  soul 
or  body,  but  trust  in  his  salvation. 

"  I  find  myself  easier  in  hearing  from  you,  though  I  see  you  not. 
You  are  always  on  my  heart  and  mind  ;  and  you  are  in  the  hand  of 
a  gracious  and  faithful  God. 

"  I  send  you  a  fine  present  of  two  oranges,  —  all  we  have ;  and  a 
piece  of  chocolate.  Don't  hanker  after  any  thing.  Get  above  that 
womanish  fancy  ;  but  yet  speak,  if  you  crave. 

"  When  the  ground  is  dry,  and  the  weather  warm,  I  shall  hope 
to  make  a  visit  to  you.  The  meanwhile,  we  must  meet  daily,  as 
you  say,  which  is  the  best  meeting  of  all,  before  the  throne  of 
grace.  Your  loving  father, 

Benjamin  Colman." 

This  letter  shows,  among  other  things,  that  a  journey  from 
Boston  to  Medford  was  an  event  which  must  be  postponed 
till  the  "weather  is  warm,  and  the  ground  dry."  Such  a 
reason  sounds  strange  now,  when  there  are  twenty  separate 
opportunities  in  each  day  of  going  to  and  coming  from  Bos- 
ton in  public  conveyances. 

After  the  birth  of  her  first  child  (still-born),  Mrs.  Turell 
writes  thus :  — 


323 


"  Bom  to  the  grave  ere  it  had  seen  the  light, 
Or  with  one  smile  had  cheered  my  longing  sight." 

The  second  child  (Clark  Thomas)  lived  only  eleven  days. 
She  thus  writes  of  him  :  — 

"Ten  days  I  hold  him  in  my  joyful  arms, 
And  feast  my  eyes  upon  his  youthful  charms ; 
But  then  the  king  of  terrors  does  advance 
To  pierce  its  bosom  with  his  iron  lance. 
Its  soul  released,  upward  it  takes  its  flight, 
Oh,  never  more  below  to  bless  my  sight ! 
Farewell,  sweet  babe !     I  hope  to  meet  above, 
And  therewith  you  sing  our  Redeemer's  love." 

Sensibility,  benevolence,  and  devotion  were  salient  traits 
in  Mrs.  TurelPs  character.  Her  husband  says  of  her,  "  Some 
unhappy  affairs  in  Medford,  in  the  years  1729-30,  produced 
many  prayers  and  tears  from  her."  He  says  elsewhere,  "  It 
was  her  practice  to  read  the  Bible  out  in  course  once  in  a 
year ;  the  book  of  Psalms  much  oftener  ;  besides  many  chap- 
ters and  a  multitude  of  verses,  which  she  kept  turned  down 
in  a  Bible  which  she  had  been  the  owner  and  reader  of  more 
than  twenty  years."  Again  he  says,  "When  she  appre- 
hended she  received  injuries,  silence  and  tears  were  her 
highest  resentments." 

The  Rev.  John  Adams  writes,  after  her  death,  a  long  letter 
in  verse  to  Mr.  Turell.     We  give  here  a  few  lines  :  — 

"  Why  hangs  such  sorrow  on  your  pensive  brow  ? 
Say,  Turell,  why  the  tears  so  freely  flow  ? 
If  you  lament  the  lovely  partner  fled, 
In  vain  you  heave  the  sigh,  or  rivers  shed  ; 
Nor  eloquence  can  soothe,  nor  virtue  awe, 
Nor  force  repel  the  power  of  Nature's  law. 

Nature  had  shed  upon  her  ample  mind 

Its  various  gifts,  which  Art  had  well  refined. 

Few  were  her  words,  but  close,  and  weighty  too  : 

We  could  not  blame,  but  grieved  they  were  so  few. 

Nor  was  she  vain,  nor  stained  with  those  neglects 

In  which  too  learned  females  lose  their  sex. 

The  tender  ties  of  nuptial  life  she  graced, 

And  all  the  mother  to  the  child  expressed. 

The  best  of  daughters  in  her  carriage  shown, 

She  felt  the  friend,  and  charmed  the  weeping  town. 

E'en  now  the  flowing  numbers  left  behind 
Reflect  the  features  of  her  virtuous  mind  ; 
Nor  yet,  of  all  the  nymphs  that  grace  the  plain, 
Has  one  appeared  to  sing  so  sweet  a  strain. 
But  most  Devotion  did  its  power  diffuse,  — 
Soul  of  her  soul,  the  spirit  of  her  Muse." 


324  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

This  lady  was  certainly  a  polished  stone  in  the  temple  of 
the  Lord.  She  inherited  a  most  fragile  frame,  an  exquisite 
sensibility,  and  a  poetic  taste.  Under  peculiar  circumstances, 
the  ebbs  and  flows  of  feeling  were  uncontrollable ;  but  the 
deep-laid  principles  of  Christian  faith  and  pious  trust  sus- 
tained and  delivered  her.  There  was  in  her  a  childlike 
transparency  of  soul,  and  a  deep  well  of  love,  which  made  her 
the  admiration  and  blessing  of  all  with  whom  she  lived.  She 
was  a  model  wife  for  a  minister,  as  he  was  a  model  husband ; 
and  the  tribute  he  has  left  to  her  affection,  usefulness,  and 
piety,  is  alike  honorable  to  both. 

The  death  of  Mrs.  Turell  brought  deep  and  lasting  sorrow 
to  the  heart  of  her  aged  father.  He  had  lived  in  her  life,  and 
was  now  ready  to  die  her  death.  Family  afflictions  had  been 
few  with  him.  He  says,  "  For  six  and  twenty  years  there 
had  been  no  death  in  my  family  !  "  In  speaking  of  the  two 
sermons  preached  after  the  death  of  Mrs.  Turell,  he  says, 
"  I  now  make  the  dedication  of  both,  —  first,  to  the  beloved 
children  of  my  own  flock  and  town ;  and  then  to  the  beloved 
people  of  Medford,  to  whom  I  gave  away  no  small  part  of 
the  light  of  my  eyes  in  the  day  I  married  her  to  their 
pastor." 


PUBLIC    BUILDINGS. 


325 


CHAPTER  IX. 

PUBLIC      BUILDINGS. 
FIRST    MEETING-HOUSE. 


First  Meeting-house,  1696. 

During  the  first  years  of  their  residence  in  Medford,  our 
pious  ancestors  were  not  sufficiently  numerous  and  rich  to 
support  a  minister  of  the  gospel;  hence  they  joined  the 
churches  of  Cambridge,  Charlestown,  Watertown,  Woburn, 
and  Maiden.  That  they  had  preaching  in  the  town  at  fune- 
rals and  baptisms,  is  most  probable ;  but  the  loss  of  our  ear- 
liest records  prevents  our  stating  any  specific  action  on  the 
subject  till  about  1690,  when  the  desire  to  build  a  meeting- 
house became  strong  and  effectual.  They  worshipped  in 
private  rooms ;  and  we  find  a  vote  of  the  town  to  "  pay 
Thomas  "Willis  thirty  shillings  for  the  use  of  his  rooms  for 
one  year." 

January  17,  1693,  we  find  the  following  record :  — 

"  At  a  general  town-meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Medford,  being 
fifteen  days  warned,  voted  that  there  shall  be  a  meeting-house 
erected,  to  be  finished  the  first  of  October  following,  on  the  land  of 
Mr.  Thomas  Willis,  near  the  gate  by  Marble  Brook,  on  a  rock  on 
the  north  side  of  Woburn  Road.  It  shall  be  seven  and  twenty  feet 
long,  four  and  twenty  feet  wide,  and  fifteen  feet  between  joints." 


oZti  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

The  committee  to  whom  was  intrusted  this  important 
work,  "  with  full  power  to  act  therein,"  were  Caleb  Brooks 
and  Thomas  Willis,  "  to  be  joined  by  the  Selectmen,  Joseph 
Hall  and  John  Tufts,"  Owing  to  some  obstacles,  the  house 
was  not  built  at  the  time  first  specified ;  and  the  next  move- 
ment towards  it  we  find  in  a  vote  passed  Sept.  13,  1695.  At 
this  time  "  a  subscription  was  opened,  and  one  pound  was 
subscribed  by  the  following  persons :  Thomas  Willis,  Caleb 
Brooks,  Stephen  Francis,  Stephen  Willis,  John  Francis, 
John  Whitmore,  John  Bradshoe,  Jonathan  Tufts,  John  Hall, 
jun.,  Nathaniel  Hall,  Stephen  Hall,  sen.,  John  Willis,  Ste- 
phen Hall,  Percival  Hall,  Ebenezer  Brooks.  Twelve  shillings 
were  subscribed  by  Eleazer  Wier  and  Nathaniel  Waite,  and 
six  shillings  by  Samuel  Brooks."  At  this  meeting,  the  town 
voted,  unanimously,  that  "  every  person  who  refused  to  sub- 
scribe should  pay  twelve  pence  per  head,  and  one  penny  on 
the  pound,  towards  the  building  of  the  meeting-house." 

September  23,  1695,  it  was  voted  "  to  give  sixty  pounds 
for  the  erection  and  finishing  of  the  house ;  "  but,  on  Nov. 
4,  1695,  the  town  took  a  new  step,  as  follows :  "  The  inhabi- 
tants, being  now  met  and  assembled,  have  voted  and  agreed 
to  have  a  pulpit  and  deacons '-seats  made,  and  the  body  of 
seats  and  the  walls  plastered  with  lime."  On  account  of 
these  additions  to  the  house,  they  agreed  to  give  eighty 
pounds. 

The  meeting-house  having  been  completed  in  May,  1696. 
five  gentlemen  —  viz.,  Peter  Tufts,  John  Hall,  sen.,  Caleb 
Brooks,  Stephen  Francis,  and  Stephen  Willis  —  were  chosen 
"  the  committee  to  place  the  inhabitants  in  the  meeting-house ; 
the  Selectmen  first  to  place  the  committee." 

There  is  no  account  of  any  separate  religious  services  at 
the  laying  of  the  corner-stone,  or  for  the  dedication  of  the 
house.  Whether  our  Puritan  fathers  feared  being  too  Jew- 
ish, or  too  Popish,  or  too  Episcopal,  we  know  not. 

Thus  our  ancestors  provided  themselves  with  their  first 
house  for  public  worship  ;  and  when  we  consider  that  at  that 
time  there  were  but  thirty  male  inhabitants  of  the  town  who 
paid  taxes  on  estates,  we  may  see  clearly  the  cause  of  delay- 
ing such  an  expenditure,  without  supposing  any  lack  of 
interest  in  piety  or  the  church. 

The  spot  on  which  the  first  house  stood  is  now  occupied 
by  a  cottage,  owned  by  Mr.  Noah  Johnson,  in  West  Med- 
ford.     The  passage-way,  which  was  closed  by  "  the  gate  " 


PUBLIC    BUILDINGS.  327 

mentioned  in  the  vote,  still  exists  as  a  way  to  another  house 
in  which  Mr.  Johnson  now  resides.  This  spot,  consecrated 
by  the  prayers  and  worship  of  our  ancestors,  is  about  twenty 
rods  east-north-east  from  the  crotch  of  the  two  roads,  —  one 
leading  to  Woburn,  the  other  to  West  Cambridge. 

The  meeting-houses  of  this  period  were  generally  square, 
or  nearly  so.  Some  had  spires,  and  were  of  two  stories,  with 
galleries.  The  one  in  Medford  was  nearly  square,  of  one 
story,  and  without  spire  or  galleries,  but  its  windows  secured 
with  outside  shutters.  The  roof  was  very  steep,  and  its 
humble  appearance  (twenty-seven  by  twenty-four)  can  be 
readily  imagined ;  and,  if  it  had  been  made  with  walls 
unplastered,  its  cost  probably  would  not  have  exceeded  sixty 
pounds.  Twelve  shillings  were  annually  paid  "  for  keeping 
;he  meeting-house." 

Instead  of  pulpits,  many  houses  had  tables,  from  which 
;he  sermon  was  preached,  and  around  which  certain  privi- 
leged persons,  besides  the  deacons,  were  permitted,  by  a  vote 
of  the  town,  to  sit. 

The  order  of  services  was  much  like  that  now  prevalent  in 
congregational  churches,  except  that  the  Scriptures  were  not 
read,  and  there  was  no  choir.  The  congregation  sung ;  and 
the  deacon's  pitch-pipe  was  the  only  instrumental  music 
allowed. 

Baptisms  were  always  administered  in  the  meeting-house ; 
and,  if  a  child  had  been  born  on  Sunday  morning,  it  was 
thought  a  fit  offering  of  piety  to  have  it  baptized  in  that 
afternoon. 

As  pews  were  not  tolerated  at  first,  the  town  chose  a  com- 
mittee "  to  seat  the  congregation."  Although  this  committee 
was  composed  of  the  most  judicious  and  popular  men,  their 
decisions  were  not  always  satisfactory.  The  rules  laid  down 
for  seating  the  people  were  passed  Nov.  30,  1713,  and  are  as 
follows  :  "  The  rule  to  be  observed  by  said  committee,  in  seat- 
ing of  persons  in  said  meeting-house,  is  the  quality  of  persons  ; 
they  who  paid  most  for  building  the  house,  they  who  pay 
most  for  the  minister's  support,  and  the  charges  they  have 
been  at  and  now  do  pay  to  the  public."  In  1703,  there  was 
so  much  heartburning  at  the  placing  of  the  people,  that,  in 
the  true  spirit  of  republican  Congregationalism,  they  rebelled, 
and  chose  a  new  committee  to  do  the  work  over  again. 

The  origin  of  pews  seems  to  have  been  in  a  petition  of 
Major  Wade  for  liberty  to  build  one. 


6ZO  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOltD. 

"  May  25,  1696  :  Major  Nathaniel  Wade  shall  have  liberty 
to  build  a  pew  in  the  meeting-house  when  he  shall  see 
reason  to  do  so."  Nothing  appears  in  the  record  to  explain 
this  "  liberty  ;  "  and  therefore  we  are  left  to  set  it  down  to  our 
forefathers'  charity,  or  submission  to  wealth,  or  traditional 
toleration  of  rank.  As  the  major  was  the  richest  citizen,  he 
had  probably  done  most  for  the  building  of  the  house.  But, 
although  this  liberty  was  granted  to  build  when  he  "  saw 
reason,"  the  town  was  nervously  careful  to  define  the  form 
of  his  pew,  and  to  fix  its  exact  position.  One  vote,  on  another 
occasion,  directed  the  committee  to  see  that  "  it  should  not 
go  beyond  the  first  bar  of  the  window." 

A  grant  subsequently  made  to  another  gentleman  was 
accompanied  with  this  condition,  —  that  "  he  must  take  into 
his  pew  one  or  two  persons,  not  belonging  to  his  family, 
whom  the  town  may  name." 

March  6,  1699 :  Thomas  Willis  presented  to  the  town,  as 
a  gift,  a  deed  of  the  piece  of  land  on  which  the  meeting- 
house was  standing. 

On  the  same  day,  the  town  voted  "  to  build  a  fore-gallery 
in  the  meeting-house,  with  three  seats  ;  said  seats  to  be 
parted  in  the  middle,  one-half  to  be  used  by  the  men,  and  the 
other  by  the  women."  This  custom  of  making  the  gallery- 
seats  free,  and  of  confining  those  on  one  side  to  the  use  of 
males,  and  the  others  to  the  use  of  females,  continued  in  Med- 
ford  until  our  day. 

This  "  fore-gallery  "  became  a  cause  of  conflict  between 
the  two  sexes  !  By  the  vote  of  1699,  the  "  women  "  were  to 
occupy  one  side,  and  the  "  men  "  the  other.  Of  course  this 
just  decision  satisfied  the  gentler  sex ;  and  they  enjoyed  the 
boon  till  Jan.  31,  1701,  when  the  town  voted  that  men  only 
should  sit  in  the  front  gallery  of  the  meeting-house  !  This 
unexplained  outrage  on  female  rights  roused  into  ominous 
activity  certain  lively  members,  whose  indignant  eloquence 
procured  the  call  of  another  town-meeting  within  five  weeks, 
when  it  was  voted  to  reconsider  the  decision  of  the  31st  of 
January,  and  thus  put  the  matter  statu  quo  ante  bellum. 
When  the  history  of  the  "  women  movement "  of  our  day 
shall  be  written,  we  commend  the  above  fact  to  their  bio- 
grapher. 

At  the  same  meeting,  Lieut.  Peter  Tufts,  Ebenezer  Brooks, 
and  Stephen  Willis,  had  leave  granted  them  to  build  each  a 
pew.     This  vote  was  strangely  modified,  with  respect  to  one 


PUBLIC    BUILDINGS. 


329 


of  these  gentlemen,  on  the  3d  of  January,  1715:  "Voted 
that  the  town  will  grant  Mr.  Ebenezer  Brooks  a  pew  in  the 
part  of  their  meeting-house  joining  to  the  minister's  pew,  and 
liberty  to  make  a  door  into  said  pew  on  the  outside  of  said 
meeting-house"  This  was  the  first  grant  of  the  kind,  and 
we  should  hope  it  would  be  the  last ;  for  to  see  the  outside 
of  a  meeting-house  thus  sliced  up  into  little  private  doors, 
surely  could  not  add  much  to  its  beauty  or  its  warmth. 

July  28,  1702 :  "  Voted  to  give  Ensign  John  Bradshaw 
fifteen  shillings  for  sweeping  the  meeting-house  one  year, 
cleaning  the  snow  away  from  the  front-door,  and  shutting  the 
casements." 

Nov.  25,  1712  :  The  town,  for  the  first  time,  granted  per- 
mission to  one  of  their  number  to  build  a  shed  for  his  horse. 
"  A  merciful  man  is  merciful  to  his  beast."  If  horses  think, 
what  must  they  have  thought  of  the  early  settlers  ? 

We  have  dwelt  on  these  minute  details,  because  they  only 
can  give  the  true  history  of  our  early  ancestors.  These  little 
facts  tell  great  truths.  They  show  us  how  much  our  fathers 
did  with  the  scantiest  means  ;  and,  better  than  all,  they  prove 
to  us  that  the  noble  Anglo-Saxon  Puritans  who  settled  these 
shores  could  not  be  seduced  by  poverty  to  abate  a  tittle  of 
their  high-minded  integrity,  or  their  jealousy  of  power,  or 
their  Christian  enthusiasm. 


SECOND    MEETING-HOUSE. 


Second  Meeting-house,  1727. 
42 


330  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

A  new  house  was  first  proposed  May  28,  1716,  because 
the  enlargement  of  the  old  would  cost  nearly  as  much  as 
the  building  of  a  new  one.  The  committee  reported  that 
its  size  should  be  "  fifty  feet  long,  thirty-eight  broad,  and 
twenty-seven  feet  stud."  It  was  to  have  diamond  glass  and 
window-shutters,  and  was  to  cost  four  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds.  In  1719,  the  subject  again  came  up  for  more 
decisive  action ;  and,  in  Feb.  9  of  that  year,  they  put  the 
question  in  this  form  :  "  Put  to  vote,  whether  the  town  will 
build  a  new  meeting-house  forthwith.  Voted  in  the  nega- 
tive." 

A  movement  so  full  of  interest  to  every  family  would  natu- 
rally bring  out  some  diversity  of  opinion  in  a  widely  scat- 
tered population.  In  order,  therefore,  to  secure  harmony  in 
the  best  plan,  they  were  willing  to  accede  to  what  judicious 
and  disinterested  men  might  say  was  best.  Accordingly, 
March  7,  1720,  in  a  full  town-meeting,  they  put  the  ques- 
tion thus  :  — 

"  "Whether  the  town  will  choose  a  committee  of  five  gentlemen, 
from  some  of  our  neighboring  towns,  to  give  their  advice,  whether 
it  will  he  most  convenient  for  the  town,  at  present,  to  build  a  new 
meeting-house,  or  to  enlarge  the  old.  And,  in  case  said  committee 
do  advise  to  build  a  new  meeting-house,  then  said  committee  to  state 
a  place,  as  near  the  centre  of  the  town  as  can  be,  which  shall  best 
accommodate  the  whole  town  for  setting  of  said  house." 

This  was  "  voted  in  the  affirmative,"  and  the  meeting  was 
then  adjourned  one  week  to  March  14 ;  but  the  time  was  too 
short  for  so  much  business.  When,  however,  the  meeting  of 
the  14th  took  place,  the  town  passed  a  vote  supplementary  to 
that  of  the  7th  inst. ;  and  in  these  words  are  the  record  :  — 

"  At  said  meeting,  put  to  vote,  whether  the  town  will  abide  by, 
and  rest  satisfied  with,  the  advice  and  determination  of  the  above- 
said  committee,  which  shall  be  according  to  the  vote  above  written, 
referring  to  building  a  new  meeting-house  or  enlarging  of  the  old, 
and  also  as  to  stating  a  place  for  said  house.  Voted  in  the  affirma- 
tive." 

This  vote  was  passed  after  the  town  had  chosen  the  com- 
mittee, and  had  probably  learned  something  of  their  views. 
The  committee  make  their  report ;  whereupon  the  town, 
Feb.  20,  1721,  after  nearly  a  gear's  delay  and  various  inde- 
finite activities,  come  to  the  question  of  this  report  of  the 
committee.     The  record  is  as  follows :  — 


PUBLIC    BUILDINGS.  .  331 

"  Put  to  vote,  whether  the  town  doth  accept  of  the  result  of  the 
committee,  referring  to  a  meeting-house  in  Medford,  as  a  perfect 
result  according  to  the  votes  of  said  town.  Voted  in  the  nega- 
tive." 

It  does  not  appear  what  were  the  grounds  of  objection  to 
the  result  of  the  committee ;  but  the  vote  above,  of  Feb.  20, 
drew  forth  the  following  protest  from  the  Westenders :  — 

"  "We,  the  subscribers,  do  enter  our  dissent  against  the  town's 
proceedings  in  the  above- written  vote  (of  the  20th  of  February), 
for  the  following  reasons  ;  to  wit :  — 

"  1.  That,  at  a  meeting  legally  convened,  March  14,  1720,  the 
town  did  make  choice  of  a  committee  of  five  gentlemen,  to  advise 
and  determine  the  affair  of  the  meeting-house  in  said  town,  as  may 
at  large  appear  by  said  votes  referring  thereto ;  and  did  also  bind 
themselves,  by  a  vote,  to  abide  by,  arid  rest  satisfied  with,  the  advice 
and  determination  of  said  committee. 

"  2.  The  gentlemen  chosen  by  the  town  as  a  committee,  being 
met  at  Medford,  April  2,  1720,  after  consultation  upon  said  affair, 
drew  up  a  result,  under  all  their  hands,  and  publicly  read  and 
declared  the  same  to  the  town,  or  those  of  them  then  present. 

"  3.  That  said  committee,  by  their  result,  did  oblige  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  West  End  of  the  town  to  procure  the  land  for  erecting 
a  new  meeting-house  upon,  at  their  own  cost  and  charge ;  and  also 
to  remove  all  encumbrances,  as  expressed  in  said  result. 

"  4.  That  we,  the  subscribers,  have,  in  obedience  to  said  result, 
procured  the  land  and  removed  the  encumbrances,  as  above  said,  at 
our  own  cost  and  charge ;  and,  for  these  and  the  like  reasons,  we 
enter  against  said  vote  as  being  illegal  and  unjust. 


"John  Whitmorb. 
Caleb  Brooks. 
Nathaniel  Francis. 
John  Winship. 
William  Willis. 
Stephen  Hall. 
Jonathan  Hall. 
Stephen  Willis. 
Oliver  Attwood. 
Abner  Harris. 


John  Francis. 
Samuel  Francis. 
Thomas  Willis. 
John  Whitmorb. 
John  Francis. 
Ebenezer  Brooks. 
Francis  Whitmore. 
Samuel  Brooks. 
William  Pottony. 
Thomas  Hall." 


As  this  subject  created  local  or  territorial  interests,  it  was 
prudently  thought  best  not  to  force  any  measure  relating  to 
it.  More  than  a  year  elapsed  before  any  decisive  action  was 
taken.  July  19,  1122,  voted  "to  build  a  meeting-house  ac- 
cording to  the  advice  and  determination  of  the  honored  com- 
mittee chosen  and  empowered  by  the  town  to  state  that 
affair,  and  in  the  same  place  which  said  committee  stated  and 
ordered  in  the  result." 


332  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

This  vote  immediately  called  forth  a  protest  from  the  East- 
erners, in  the  following  words  :  — 

"We,  the  subscribers,  do  enter  our  dissent  against  the  vote 
abovesaid,  referring  to  the  building  of  a  new  meeting-house,  for  the 
reasons  following;  to  wit:  first,  it  is  wholly' contrary  to  the  war- 
rant granted  for  said  meeting;  and  also,  it  being  contrary  to  a 
former  vote  of  the  town. 


1  John  Bradshaw,  )  seie 
Thomas  Tufts,     5  ma 
John  Willis. 
John  Richardson. 
Benjamin  Willis. 
Benjamin  Parker. 
John  Bradshaw,  jun. 


Nathaniel  Hall. 
John  Grattan. 
Jonathan  Bradshaw. 
Peter  Seccombe. 
John  Hall. 
Thomas  Willis. 
Peter  Tufts." 


This  difference  of  opinion,  running  longitudinally  east  and 
west,  destroyed  not  the  harmony  of  the  town  in  other  things  ; 
but  served  only  to  postpone  action,  and  wait  the  leadings  of 
Providence.     More  than  two  years  elapsed  before  we  find  the 
following  vote  :  "  To  place  the  new  meeting-house  either  on 
the  north  or  south  side  of  the  country  road,  on  a  piece  of 
land  belonging   to  John  Bradshaw,  jun."      This   spot  was 
afterwards  rejected.     More  unanimity  began  now  to  prevail 
in  this  matter ;  and  a  committee  was  chosen  whose  wisdom 
and  impartiality  harmonized  every  thing.     The  spot  selected 
was  on  the  south  side  of  the  country  road,  near  "  Marble 
Brook,"  four  or  five  rods  south-east  of  the  bridge  now  across 
that  stream,  which  afterwards  took  the  name  of  "Meeting- 
house Brook,"  and  retains  it  to  this   day.      The   land  was 
owned  by  that  self-made  and  thrifty  farmer,  Mr.  John  Albree ; 
and  on  the  10th  of  January,  1726,  the  town  voted  to  give 
fifty-five  pounds  for  one  acre,  and  to  appropriate  three  hun- 
dred and  sixty  pounds  for  the  building  of  the  house.     The 
committee  appointed  to  determine  the  size  and  shape  of  the 
house  were  "  Thomas  Tufts,  Esq.,  Captain  Ebenezer  Brooks, 
Mr.  Peter  Seccombe,  Mr.  John  Richardson,  Captain  Samuel 
Brooks,  Mr.  John  Willis,  Mr.  William  Willis,  Lieutenant 
Stephen  Hall,  Mr.  John  Francis,  Mr.  Benjasmin  Parker,  and 
Mr.  John  Whitmore."      They  reported  that  "  it  would  be 
proper  for  this  town  to  build  a  meeting-house  fifty-two  feet 
large,  thirty-eight  feet  wide,  and  thirty-three   feet  posts." 
This  report  was  accepted,  and  the  same  committee  empowered 
to  build  the  house. 

Every  thing  now  went  on  harmoniously ;  and  we  can  easily 
imagine  the  appearance  of  the  new  house,  —  more  than  twice  as 


PUBLIC    BUILDINGS.  333 

high  as  its  predecessor,  and  about  twice  as  large.  The  steeple, 
rising  from  the  centre  of  the  four-faced  roof,  gave  to  the 
structure  an  appearance  like  that  of  the  old  meeting-house 
now  standing  in  Hingham,  Mass.,  which  was  built  in  1680. 
Some  of  us  remember  the  old  meeting-house  in  Lynn,  built 
about  the  same  time,  after  the  same  model. 

Aug.  24,  1727  :  "  Voted  to  meet  in  the  new  meeting-house 
sabbath-day  after  next."  Accordingly,  on  Sunday,  Sept.  3, 
1727,  the  inhabitants  of  Medford  met  for  the  first  time  in 
their  new  house  ;  and  Rev.  Mr.  Turell  preached  an  appro- 
priate sermon  from  Psalm  lxxxiv.  1 :  "  How  amiable  are  thy 
tabernacles,  O  Lord  of  hosts  !  "  Any  special  dedicatory  ser- 
vices would  have  been  distasteful  to  a  people  who  had  not 
forgotten  the  superstitions  of  Popery,  or  the  persecutions  of 
the  English  church. 

Here  was  a  new  fortress  for  keeping  the  truth,  and  also 
for  assailing  the  "ten  idols:"  1.  The  surplice  and  Popish 
wardrobe.  2.  The  sign  of  the  cross  in  baptism.  3.  Kneel- 
ing at  the  Lord's  Supper.  4.  Setting  the  communion-table 
altar-wise.  5.  Bowing  at  the  name  of  Jesus.  6.  Popish 
holidays.  7.  Consecrating  churches.  8.  Organs  and  cathe- 
dral-music. 9.  The  Book  of  Common  Prayer.  10.  A  church 
government  by  bishops. 

Our  Puritan  forefathers  having  procured  their  second  house 
for  public  worship  of  a  size  commensm-ate  with  their  num- 
bers, and  at  a  cost  proportionate  to  their  wealth,  their  first 
care  was  for  their  pastor's  family  ;  and  they  passed  the  follow- 
ing vote  :  "  That  the  town  will  build  a  ministerial  pew  in  the 
meeting-house,  in  the  place  where  the  Rev.  Mr.  Turell  shall 
choose." 

As  no  pews  were  built,  the  people  were  to  sit  on  long,  un- 
cushioned  seats,  wherever  the  "  seating  committee  "  should 
designate.  This  custom  became  less  and  less  agreeable ;  and, 
by  degrees,  the  just,. pacific,  and  convenient  fashion  of  sepa- 
rated pews  crept  in.  Various  expedients  were  devised,  and 
many  of  them  abandoned  ;  but,  Oct.  23,  1727,  it  was  voted 
"that  certain  lots  for  pews  should  be  sold,  but  that  each 
person  must  build  his  pew  at  his  own  cost ;  and  if  he  moved 
out  of  town,  his  pew  became  the  town's,  the  town  paying 
therefor."  Subsequently  it  was  voted  to  build  twenty-seven 
pews,  and  then-  let  the  committee  determine  who  should  have 
a  right  to  build.  The  requisites  were  age,  dignity,  parentage, 
usefulness,  and  the  charges  which  persons   had  paid  to  the 


334  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

town  and  to  the  meeting-house.  Here  was  a  wide  door  open 
for  jealousy  and  discontent.  The  next  year,  1728,  the  com- 
mittee determine  "  to  build  twenty-eight  pews,"  to  be  placed 
next  the  wall,  all  round  the  house.  Each  pew  had  its  price 
assessed  by  the  committee,  and,  when  paid  for,  was  gua- 
ranteed to  its  owner  as  regular  real  estate.  Some  had  no 
doors,  and  therefore  must  be  entered  through  a  contiguous 
pew  !  The  right  of  choice  was  now  given  to  twenty-five 
gentlemen ;  and  here  follows  the  eventful  catalogue  in  the 
order  fixed  according  to  the  supposed  social  rank  of  each:  — 

"  Mr.  John  Francis,  sen.,  Mr.  John  Bradshaw,  Captain  Ebenezer 
Brooks,  Captain  Samuel  Brooks,  Lieutenant  Stephen  Hall,  Mr. 
Peter  Seccombe,  Thomas  Tufts,  Esq.,  Captain  Samuel  Wade, 
Francis  Whitmore,  John  Willis,  Mr.  John  Whitmore,  Mr.  John 
Richardson,  William  Willis,  Mr.  Jonathan  Hall,  Mr.  Peter  Tufts, 
Deacon  Thomas  Hall,  Mr.  Benjamin  Willis,  Mr.  Benjamin  Porter, 
Mr.  Thomas  Oaks,  Dr.  Simon  Tufts,  Mr.  John  Albree,  Mr.  Joseph 
Tufts,  Mr.  William  Patten,  Mr.  John  Bradshaw,  jun.,  and  Mr.  John 
Hall." 

We  know  not  the  exact  position  of  any  pew  occupied  by 
either  of  the  twenty-five  gentlemen,  save  one ;  and  that  is 
the  pew,'  number  one,  which  was  the  first  on  the  east  side  of 
the  broad  aisle,  nearest  the  front  door,  taken  by  Captain 
Samuel  Brooks.  His  son  Thomas  chose  the  same  place  in 
the  third  new  house.  The  price  of  these  pews  varied  from 
twelve  to  eight  pounds. 

1729 :  Voted  "  to  petition  the  General  Court  for  some  relief 
under  present  differences  and  difficulties."  The  town  ap- 
points "  Captain  Ebenezer  Brooks,  Mr.  Peter  Seccombe,  Mr. 
William  Patten,  and  Jonathan  Tomson,  a,s  a  committee  to  lay 
the  case  before  the  committee  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives." A  committee  of  four  (Hodijah  Savage,  Thomas 
Berry,  Joseph  Wilder,  and  William  Ward)  met  at  Medford, 
when  all  things  were  explained  concerning  the  discontent 
and  disputes  about  certain  pews  in  the  new  meeting-house. 
The  award  was  drawn  up  in  form,  and  was  final,  and  it  placed 
three  or  four  persons  anew  ! 

June  26,  1740:  The  town  voted  to  place  a  bell  on  the 
meeting-house ;  but,  as  it  was  decided  to  purchase  the  bell 
with  money  which  should  be  raised  from  the  sale  of  bricks 
owned  by  the  town,  the  bell  was  not  bought,  because  the 
bricks  were  not  sold.  However,  this  appendage  to  a  meeting- 
house, so  necessary  in  those  days,  when  watches  were  not  as 


PUBLIC    BUILDINGS.  335 

plenty  as  they  are  now,  was  furnished  in  1744  by  certain 
liberal  gentlemen  of  the  town  ;  and  five  pounds  was  paid  for 
ringing  it  a  year. 

Jan.  15, 1733  :  Voted  "  to  repair  the  steeple  of  the  meeting-house, 
to  put  a  pulley  on  the  front  door,  and  make  a  convenient  horse- 
block." 

"  July  23,  1736  :  "  Voted  that  John  Bradshaw,  jun.,  should  have 
liberty  to  cut  a  door-place  and  make  a  door  at  the  south  end  of  the 
meeting-house  into  his  pew." 

So  near  to  "  Marble  Brook  "  was  this  house  placed,  that, 
on  the  3d  of  December,  1745,  the  town  voted  to  take  all 
necessary  measures  "  to  prevent  the  water  of  the  brook  from 
washing  away  the  earth  near  the  north-west  corner  of  the 
meeting-house." 

How  significant  of  character  are  these  little  details  of 
town  legislation,  sectional  jealousies,  mutual  concessions,  and 
hereditary  rank ! 

This  second  meeting-house  was  in  use  forty-three  years ; 
during  which  time  there  were  five  thousand  one  hundred 
and  thirty-four  sermons  preached,  and  one  thousand  two  hun- 
dred and  eighteen  persons  baptized  in  it.  The  farewell  ser- 
vice was  March  4,  1770. 

The  house  was  sold  at  auction,  to  John  Laithe,  for  £24 
(O.T.);  its  underpinning  to  Benjamin  Hall,  for  £13.  6s.  8d. 
The  land  sold  for  £197  (O.T.) ;  the  old  schoolhouse  upon 
it,  for  £38. 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


THIRD     MEETING-HOUSE. 


Third  Meeting-house,  1770. 

The  increase  and  prosperity  of  the  town  called  for  a  new 
meeting-house ;  but  the  trying  question  was,  Where  shall 
it  be  placed  ?  As  the  majority  of  the  inhabitants  were  east 
of  the  old  meeting-house,  it  was  but  right  to  place  the  new 
one  nearer  the  centre  of  population.  In  1768,  it  was  pro- 
posed to  build  it  "  between  the  Meeting-house  Brook,  so 
called,  and  the  widow  Mary  Greenleaf  s."  This  was  aban- 
doned. April,  4  of  the  same  year,  it  was  voted  by  the  town 
thus :  "  When  the  town  builds  a  meeting-house,  they  will 
build  said  house  upon  the  widow  Watson's  orchard,  before 
her  dwelling-house,  provided  said  land  can  be  procured  on 
reasonable  terms."  This  proposition  was  no  more  successful 
than  the  last.  Aug.  22,  1768  :  "  Voted  to  build  a  meeting- 
house on  land  bought  of  Mr.  John  Bishop ;  the  house  to  be 
of  the  following  dimensions :  sixty-six  feet  long,  forty-six 
feet  wide,  with  forty-eight  pews  on  the  floor,  and  eight  in  the 
gallery  ;  with  a  tower  from  the  ground,  without  a  spire  ;  two 


PUBLIC    BUILDINGS. 


337 


porches  ;  doors  and  windows  to  be  painted  three  times ;  leads 
and  pulleys  in  the  windows.  The  whole  cost  not  to  exceed 
£933.  6s.  8d."  This  plan  was  adopted,  and  the  house  built 
on  the  spot  now  occupied  by  the  meeting-house  of  the  first 
church.  Another  important  vote  was  passed,  providing  that 
a  subscription  should  be  opened,  and  the  citizen  who  sub- 
scribed the  most  towards  building  the  house  should  have  his 
first  choice  of  a  pew ;  and  so  the  rest,  in  the  order  of  their 
relative  sums.  Forty -five  gentlemen  subscribed.  March 
13,  1769,  voted  to  have  a  spire,  whose  cost  should  "  not 
exceed  £66.  13s.  4d."  May  15,  1769,  voted  "that  there 
may  be  conducting-rods  put  upon  the  steeple,  if  they  cost  the 
town  nothing."  Price  of  labor  at  this  time,  for  a  man,  3s. 
6d.  per  day ;  for  man  and  team,  6s.  8d. 

By  the  usual  courtesy,  the  pastor  took  the  first  choice,  and 
selected  pew  No.  27;  which  thereupon  became  the  "minister's 
pew,"  owned  by  the  town. 

The  pews  in  the  meeting-house  were  chosen  "according 
to  the  vote  of  the  town  and  the  tenor  of  subscription,"  Feb. 
8,  1770,  as  follows  :  — 


Thomas  Brooks,  jun.      .     No.  1 

John  Bishop 2 

Stephen  Hall 3 

Aaron  Hall 4 

Ebenezer  Hall      ....  5 

John  Wade 6 

Samuel  Hall 7 

Watts  Turner 8 

William  Tufts,  3d      .     .     .  9 

William  Tufts .....  10 

Simon  Bradshaw       ...  11 

Samuel  Angier     ....  12 

Francis  Burns       .     .     .     .  13 

Zachary  Pool 14 

Jonathan  Patten  ....  15 

E.  Hall 16 

Nathan  Tufts 17 

Samuel  Tufts,  2d       ...  18 

Benjamin  Teal      ....  19 

Timothy  Tufts      .     .     .     .  20 

Henry  Fowle  .....  21 

James  Tufts     .     ;     .     .     .  22 

Richard  Hall 23 

Isaac  Hall 24 


Thomas  "Seccombe     . 

.     .     25 

Benjamin  Hall      .     . 

.     .     26 

Minister's  Pew     .     . 

.     .     27 

Isaac  Royal     .     .     . 

.     .     28 

Timothy  Newhall 

.     .     29 

Peter  Jones      .     .     . 

.     .     30 

Nathan  Tufts,  jun.    . 

.     .     31 

Timothy  Hall  .     .     . 

.     .     32 

Hezekiah  Blanchard 

.     33 

Thomas  Patten     .     . 

.     34 

Joseph  Thompson 

.     35 

Henry  Putnam     .     . 

.     36 

Seth  Blod^et   .     -     - 

.     37 

Willis  Hall 

.     SS 

Jacob  Hall  . 

.   3d 

John  Leathe 

.    40 

Samuel  Jenks 

.     41 

Andrew  Hall 

.     42 

Isaac  Warren 

.     43 

Isaac  Greenleaf   .     .     . 

.     44 

Samuel  Kidder     -     .     • 

.     45 

.     46 

Ebenezer  Blanchard 

.     47 

Edward  Brook 

.     48 

13 


338  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORB. 

It  is  specially  recorded,  that,  at  "  the  raising "  of  this 
meeting-house,  which  took  place  July  26  and  27, 1769,  "  there 
was  no  one  hurt."  That  such  an  exemption  was  remarkable, 
at  that  period,  may  be  explained  by  the  fact,  that  probably 
our  fathers  did  not  put  themselves  into  that  condition  which 
generally  secures  catastrophies.  An  authentic  record  from 
another  town,  under  date  of  Sept.  13,  1773,  may  make  this 
matter  clear :  "  Voted  to  provide  one  barrel  of  West  India 
rum,  five  barrels  of  New  England  rum,  one  barrel  of  good 
brown  sugar,  half  a  box  of  good  lemons,  and  two  loaves  of 
loaf  sugar,  for  framing  and  raising  the  meeting-house"  Here 
a  natural  consequence  followed,  —  two-thirds  of  the  frame 
fell :  many  were  hurt,  and  some  fatally. 

Thus  our  fathers  procured  for  themselves  their  third  tem- 
ple of  worship,  placed  near  the  centre  of  population,  upon  a 
commanding  spot,  and  exhibiting  a  most  respectable  exterior, 
with  a  commodious  and  appropriate  interior.  It  is  agreeable 
to  one's  mind  to  contrast  the  three  forms  of  meeting-houses 
which  obtained  in  New  England  up  to  this  time.  The  first 
was  a  one-story,  square  building,  in  naked  and  uncheerful 
simplicity,  with  straw -thatched  roof;  lighted,  not  by  glass 
windows,  but  by  the  opening  of  outside  shutters ;  and  had 
within  neither  pews  nor  pulpit.  The  second  was  two  stories 
high ;  had  diamond-glass  windows ;  a  four-sided,  sloping  roof, 
of  wood,  with  a  turret  in  its  centre  for  a  bell ;  and  sometimes 
a  portico  in  front ;  and,  within,  a  gallery,  some  pews,  a 
deacon's  seat,  and  a  pulpit.  The  third  was  two  stories  high, 
had  window-sashes  and  square  glass,  a  two-sided  roof,  with  a 
tower  from  the  ground,  and  three  porches  ;  while  its  interior 
showed  galleries  round  three  sides,  in  which,  fronting  the 
pulpit,  were  seats  for  twenty -five  or  fifty  singers ;  and,  on 
the  lower  floor,  wall-pews,  three  inches  higher  than  the  rest ; 
two  free  seats,  nearest  the  pulpit,  for  deaf  old  men  and 
vomen  ;  a  deacon's  seat,  in  front  of  the  pulpit ;  and  the 
sacred  desk  not  at  the  end,  as  is  now  the  fashion,  but  in 
the  centre  of  one  of  the  longest  sides  of  the  house,  its  top 
from  eight  to  ten  feet  above  the  floor,  and  over  it  fastened  a 
"  sounding-board."  The  sexton,  up  to  this  time,  had  his 
post  of  honor  near  the  preacher  ;  and  his  duty  was  to  attend 
to  any  wants  of  the  officiating  clergyman,  and  also  to  turn  the 
hour-glass  when  its  sands  had  run  out.  This  last  operation 
was  doubtless  to  inform  the  congregation  how  much  instruc- 
tion they  had  received,  and  to  prophesy  of  the  remainder. 


PUBLIC   BUILDINGS.  339 

It  is  not  difficult  to  imagine  the  appearance  of  a  congregation 
in  1650,  —  the  men  on  one  side,  and  the  women  on  the  other, 
sitting  on  wooden  benches,  in  January,  under  a  thatched 
roof,  with  one  or  two  open  window-places,  without  stoves, 
singing  Sternhold  and  Hopkins  and  the  New  England 
Psalms,  and  then  listening  to  a  two-hours'  service  with  de- 
votion ! 

On  Sunday,  March  11,  1770,  our  fathers  and  mothers, 
with  their  entire  families,  entered,  for  the  first  time,  their 
new  meeting-house.  Unfortunately,  their  beloved  pastor  was 
ill;  and  the  services  of  the  day  were  performed  by  Mr. 
Andrew  Elliot,  jun.,  a  tutor  in  Harvard  College.  The  cele- 
brated George  Whitefield  preached  a  dedicatory  discourse  in 
this  house,  Aug.  26,  1770,  fron  2  Chron.  v.  14.  Our  fathers 
had  no  special  services  for  the  dedication  of  a  new  house  of 
worship,  because  they  could  not  tolerate  any  imitation  of  the 
English  church  ;  and  we  have  always  had  to  regret  their 
further  indiscretion  in  banishing,  for  the  same  poor  reason, 
the  sacred  observance  of  Christmas  and  Good  Friday. 

June  11,  1770:  "Voted  not  to  grant  seats  for  singers." 

July  28,  1771,  Sunday  :  On  this  day  was  used,  for  the 
first  time,  the  new  pulpit-cushion  given  by  William  Peppe- 
rell,  Esq.,  who  imported  it  from  England,  at  a  cost  of  eleven 
guineas. 

March  5,  1787 :  Some  inhabitants  of  taste  and  public  spi- 
rit propose  to  plant  ornamental  trees  in  front  of  the  meeting- 
house.    The  town  voted  not  to  have  them  ! 

May  10,  1802 :  Voted  to  buy  a  new  bell. 

Oct.  5,  1812 :  Voted  not  to  have  a  stove  in  the  meeting- 
house! 

Never  was  there  a  house  that  received  fewer  repairs.  In 
1814,  they  who  are  first  to  discover  needs,  and  quickest  to 
relieve  them,  subscribed  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars ;  and 
soon  the  pulpit  wore  a  new  color,  showed  a  new  cushion, 
and  rejoiced  in  new  curtains.  One  gentleman  was  admitted 
to  participation  in  this  pious  offering  of  the  ladies,  by  present- 
ing a  copy  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures  in  two  volumes. 


340 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


Second  Congregational  Meeting-house,  1824. 


Universalis  Meeting-house,  1832. 


PUBLIC    BUILDINGS. 


341 


Tirst  Parish  Meeting-house*(Unitariaii),  1839. 


Methodist  Meeting-house,  1844. 


342 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


Mystic  Church  (Congregational),  1849. 


Grace  Church  (Episcopal),  1860. 


PUBLIC    BUILDINGS.  343 


SCHOOLHOT7SES. 

Where  the  first  schoolhouse  stood  is  not  known  ;  but  it 
was  probably  near  the  meeting-house,  at  the  West  End. 

The  second  was  built  according  to  the  following  order  of 
the  town,  Oct.  5, 1730 :  "  Voted  to  build  a  new  schoolhouse, 
twenty -four  feet  long,  twenty  feet  wide,  and  ten  feet  stud, 
on  town's  land,  by  the  meeting-house."  It  was  near  Marble 
Brook,  on  the  north-west  corner  of  the  lot,  upon  the  border 
of  the  road. 

The  third  schoolhouse  stood  very  near  the  street,  on  land 
now  owned  by  Samuel  Train,  Esq.,  about  ten  feet  east  of  the 
house  he  now  occupies ;  and,  when  that  mansion-house  was 
first  repaired,  tne  schoolhouse  was  moved,  and  now  makes 
part  of  the  rear  of  said  dwelling. 

The  fourth  schoolhouse  stood  as  ordered  by  the  following 
vote:  March  11,  1771,  "voted  to  build  the  schoolhouse 
upon  the  land  behind  the  meeting-house,  on  the  north-west 
corner  of  the  land."  This  spot  is  three  or  four  rods  north- 
west of  the  present  meeting-house  of  the  first  parish.  The 
building-committee  were  "  Benjamin  Hall,  Captain  Thomas 
Brooks,  and  Mr.  Willis  Hall." 

These  houses,  above  noticed,  were  of  wood ;  but  the  town, 
May  5,  1795,  voted  to  build  a  brick  schoolhouse  behind  the 
meeting-house.  They  agreed  to  give  William  Woodbridge 
two  hundred  and  twenty  pounds,  and  the  old  schoolhouse,  to 
build  it.  This  was  the  fifth  house  built  by  the  town.  It  con- 
sisted of  one  large  room,  sufficient  for  sixty  or  seventy  pupils  : 
it  was  arranged  after  the  newest  models,  and  furnished  with 
green  blinds,  hung  at  their  tops  !  The  arrangement  within  was 
simple.  The  master's  desk  was  on  a  raised  platform,  in  one 
corner.  Undivided  seats  ran  lengthwise  through  the  whole 
extent  of  the  room.  The  oldest  pupils  sat  with  their  backs  to 
the  windows,  and  their  desks  before  them.  The  younger 
pupils  sat  below  them,  with  their  backs  against  the  desks  of 
their  seniors,  and  their  own  desks  before  them.  The  small- 
est children  sat  below  these  last,  leaning  their  backs  against 
the  desks  of  their  seniors,  but  having  no  desks  before  them. 
The  above  arrangement  occupied  one  side  of  the  room ;  and 
the  other  side  was  exactly  like  it.  Thus  the  three  rows  of 
boys  on  the  north  side  faced  the  three  rows  of  girls  on  the 


344  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

south.  t  The  area  between  the  two  was  about  six  feet  wide, 
where  the  classes  were  marshalled  to  read  and  spell. 

March  7,  1807  :  The  town  voted  to  enlarge  the  school- 
house.  After  this  was  done,  the  girls  and  boys  were  taught 
in  separate  apartments. 

As  this  house  Avas  the  last  in  the  series  of  old-fashioned 
and  inconvenient  models,  it  may  be  worth  while  to  say  a 
word  about  them.  To  speak  generally,  the  schoolhouses 
had  been  as  cheerful-looking  objects  as  the  county-jail,  and 
quite  as  agreeable  residences.  Their  windows  were  small ; 
and  some  sashes  had  panes  just  as  transparent  as  pasteboard 
or  a  felt-hat,  —  which  substitutes  for  glass  lessened  the  need 
of  blinds.  The  outer  door  had  a  strong  lock  upon  it,  while  its 
two  lower  panels  were  in  the  vocative.  The  seats  and  desks 
being  undivided,  each  pupil  was  compelled  to  mount  upon 
the  seat,  and  travel  behind  his  classmates  till  he  came  to  his 
place !  This  operation  was  a  standing  trial  of  patience  to 
those  engaged  in  writing.  The  heavy  tread  of  a  careless  boy 
upon  the  seat  of  a  writer  was  not  calculated  to  improve  chi- 
rography  or  the  temper.  The  smallest  children,  who  had 
no  desks  before  them,  were  packed  so  close  together  that  the 
uneasiness  and  pain  which  nature  shoots  through  young 
limbs  at  rest  subjected  them  to  frequent  admonition  and  ear- 
twigging.  They  who  happened  to  be  opposite  the  great  iron 
stove,  which  stood  in  the  centre  of  the  room,  were  almost 
roasted ;  and  they  literally  got  their  learning  by  the  sweat  of 
their  brows.  They  who  sat  near  this  stove  through  a  winter 
would  be  proof  against  any  heat  to  be  found  in  this  world. 
So  violent  a  fire  at  the  centre  caused  the  wind  to  rush  in 
through  the  unpatented  ventilators,  —  the  cracks  in  the  win- 
dows ;  and  a  consequence  was,  that,  while  the  children  near- 
est the  stove  were  sweltering  under  more  than  the  equatorial 
heat  of  the  torrid  zone,  they  who  were  nearest  the  windows 
were  shivering  under  the  icy  blasts  of  the  frozen  latitudes. 
How  philosophers  would  have  traced  the  isothermal  lines  in 
such  a  room,  we  know  not ;  since,  going  from  the  centre  to 
the  circumference,  one  would  travel  through  all  the  five 
zones.  There  was  some  compensation  in  the  music  which 
the  winds  made.  Every  schoolhouse  had  the  true  Borean 
harps  ;  or,  rather,  winter's  Panharmonicons,  played  upon  by 
all  the  blasts  in  turn.  The  desks  of  the  pupils  became  more 
and  more  interesting.  Once  they  were  wide  and  smooth ; 
but,  when  that  time  Avas,  few  could  remember.     The  adult 


PUBLIC    BUILDINGS. 


345 


population,  when  they  visited  the  old  schoolhouse,  could 
each  one  find  those  — 

"  Walls  on  which  he  tried  his  graving  skill; 
The  very  name  he  carved  existing  still ; 
The  bench  on  which  he  sat  while  deep  employed, 
Though  mangled,  hacked,  and  hewed,  yet  not  destroyed." 

How  many  penknives  were  tried  on  the  benches,  desks,  and 
doors  of  the  schoolhouse,  arithmetic  cannot  compute  ;  but 
one  thing  is  clear,  that,  whether  the  school  left  its  mark  on 
the  pupil's  mind  or  not,  each  pupil  felt  bound  to  leave  his 
mark  on  the  house. 

The  town  has  taken  laudable  pride,  of  late  years,  in  build- 
ing proper  schoolhouses.  The  following  table  records  the 
facts  :  — 


When 
Built. 

Location. 

BUILDING-COMMITTEE. 

Master-workmen. 

Cost. 

1835. 

Primary, 
Union  Street. 

HOrati°anAd  Sfii  Ws  JameS'     CaldweU  &  W^ 

$1040.00. 

1837. 

Primary, 
Park  Street. 

Galen  James,  James  W.  Brooks, 
James  0.  Curtis,  &  Saml.  Joyce. 

Oakman  Joyce  and 
John  Sables. 

3454.64. 

1840. 

High  &  Grammar, 
High  Street. 

Oakman  Joyce,  D.  Lawrence, 
and  James  0.  Curtis. 

Charles  Caldwell  & 
Wm.  B.  Thomas. 

7568.77. 

1851. 

Brooks, 
Brooks  Street. 

'     JJ^eBsMaUsheTd              George  A.  CaldweU. 

2542.98. 

1851. 

Primary, 
Salem  Street. 

Geo.  T.  Goodwin,  Henry  Taylor, 
and  M.  E.  Knox. 

J.  J.  Beaty  and 
I.  H.  Bradlee. 

3375.41. 

1852. 

Everett, 
Salem  Street. 

Robert  L.  Ells,   Samuel  Joyce, 
and  Henry  Taylor. 

James  Pierce. 

7166.57. 

The  town  proceeded  immediately  to  the  building  of  a  new 
schoolhouse,  on  the  spot  where  the  Park-street  house  was 
burned.  April  2,  1855,  Messrs.  Franklin  Patch,  Judah 
Loring,  and  Charles  S.  Jacobs  were  chosen  a  committee  to 
produce  a  plan,  publish  proposals,  and  carry  forward  the 
work,  —  consulting  with  the  school-committee. 

The  report  of  this  committee  was  accepted  and  adopted : 
the  consequence  will  be,  a  plain,  substantial  schoolhouse,  two 
stories  high,  and  furnished  with  all  the  modern  conve- 
niences. 


•4 

346  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


Brooks  Srhoolhouse,  1851. 


TOWN-HALL. 


The  question  concerning  the  right  of  the  town  to  use  the 
meeting-house  of  the  first  parish  for  town-meetings  having 
been  settled,  the  inhabitants  began  to  devise  measures  for 
building  a  town-house  ;  and  the  subject  came  up  for  conside- 
ration, Dec.  6, 1827 ;  but  no  definite  action  was  had.  It  en- 
gaged attention  at  subsequent  meetings  ;  but  nothing  final 
occurred  till  March  4, 1833,  when  a  committee  recommended 
the  building  of  a  town-house,  whose  dimensions  should  be 
"  sixty-five  feet  long,  forty  wide,  and  eighteen-feet  posts." 
This  report  was  accepted ;  and  the  land  on  which  the  build- 
ing now  stands,  on  the  north-east  corner  of  Main  and  High 
Streets,  was  purchased  of  the  heirs  of  Mr.  Samuel  Buel  for 
$3,000.  The  plan  of  the  building  was  drawn  by  Mr.  Benjamin, 
of  Boston.  The  length  was  extended  to  seventy  feet.  The 
cost  of  land  and  building  was  $10,062.25.  The  engraving 
will  give  an  exact  idea  of  its  present  appearance.  It  was 
found  commodious,  and  was  used  for  all  public  gatherings. 


PUBLIC    BUILDINGS.  347 

It  was  let  for  two  dollars  per  evening,  and  to  a  religious  so- 
ciety for  two  dollars  per  Sunday.  The  building-committee 
were  Messrs.  John  P.  Clisby,  John  Sparrell,  and  Thomas  R. 
Peck. 

The  first  story  is  occupied  by  stores  on  Main  Street,  and 
by  the  selectmen's  room  on  the  west.  The  hall  includes  the 
second  story. 

Oct.  27,  1839 :  Saturday  night  it  was  partly  destroyed  by 
fire.  Nov.  25,  the  town  voted  to  rebuild  on  the  original 
model.  The  insurance  of  $5,000  was  used  to  pay  for  the 
repairs,  and  nearly  covered  the  whole  amount,  which  was 
$5,389.89.  The  south  end  was  built  of  brick,  and  the  house 
made  thirteen  feet  longer  than  at  first.  It  was  again  in- 
sured, at  the  same  office,  for  $5,000.  The  building-com- 
mittee were  Messrs.  Darius  Waite,  Milton  James,  and  John 
P.  Clisby. 

Oct.  18,  1850  :  Saturday  night  it  was  again  burned  in  part. 
The  town  voted  to  rebuild ;  and,  having  received  from  the 
insurance-office  $4,580,  this  money  was  used  for  payment. 
The  building-committee  were  Messrs.  Daniel  Lawrence, 
George  T.  Goodwin,  and  Charles  S.  Jacobs ;  the  master- 
builder,  Mr.  Charles  Caldwell.  The  cost  of  rebuilding  was 
$5,941.26.  Its  dimensions  now  are  ninety -two  feet  ridge, 
eighty  -three  feet  body,  and  forty  feet  width. 


ALMS-HOUSES. 

Our  intelligent  and  thrifty  Puritan  ancestors  had  no  need  of 
alms-houses.  They  who  came  here  were  the  robust  and 
young ;  and  they  insisted  on  obedience  to  the  text,  "  He  that 
will  not  work,  neither  shall  he  eat."  Idleness  was  whipped 
out  of  the  men  by  the  magistrates,  as  out  of  the  boys  by  their 
parents.  The  first  mention  in  our  Medford  records  of  any 
alms-house  is  May  16,  1737,  —  more  than  a  century  after  the 
incorporation  of  the  town  ;  and  then  it  is  proposed  to  invite 
neighboring  towns  to  unite  in  building  a  common  workhouse. 
The  inhabitants  chose  a  committee  to  confer  with  the  adjacent 
towns,  and  to  induce  them  to  join  in  "  building  a  house  for 
employing  poor,  indigent,  and  slothful  persons."  This  pro- 
position was  not  accepted ;  and  Medford  did  nothing  more 
about  the  matter  till  May  23,  1774,  when  a  committee  was 
chosen  to  provide  a  poorhouse  on  account  of  the  town  exclu- 


348  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOKD. 

sively.  .This  was  the  definite  movement  that  led  to  practical 
results,  and  it  was  the  first  in  this  particular  direction.  It 
shows  that  the  number  of  paupers  were  small  till  this  time. 

In  1790,  the  town  purchased  a  large  house  at  the  West 
End,  near  where  the  Lowell  Railroad  Station  now  is,  together 
with  a  small  lot  of  land,  sufficient  only  for  a  vegetable  garden. 
Here  the  poor  and  helpless  were  gathered  and  made  com- 
fortable ;  but  after  twenty  years  it  was  found  insufficient ;  and 
the  constant  perplexities  to  which  the  overseers  of  the  poor 
were  subjected,  induced  the  town  to  think  of  building  a  new 
and  ample  house  of  brick.  On  the  4th  of  March,  1811,  the 
whole  matter  was  committed  to  the  five  following  gentlemen  : 
Timothy  Bigelow,  John  Brooks,  Jonathan  Brooks,  Isaac 
Brooks,  and  Abner  Bartlett.  After  several  meetings  and 
much  investigation,  they  report,  that  it  is  expedient  for  the 
town  to  build  a  large  and  commodious  house,  of  brick,  on 
the  spot  occupied  by  the  old  one.  This  report  was  accepted ; 
and  the  same  gentlemen  were  appointed  the  building-commit- 
tee, to  proceed  immediately  in  the  work.  Discontents  arose  to 
fetter  the  proceeding ;  and,  after  much  vacillating  legislation, 
the  final  result  was  the  ample  brick  square  house,  whose 
strong  walls  only  are  yet  standing  to  support  a  new,  expensive, 
and  commodious  country-seat.  It  is  only  justice  to  say,  that 
this  act  of  the  town  was  suggested,  and  the  work  carried  for- 
ward, through  the  wisdom  and  energy  of  Isaac  Brooks,  Esq., 
who  was  indefatigable,  as  an  overseer  of  the  poor,  in  procur- 
ing every  convenience  and  comfort  for  the  inmates  of  the 
house  that  he  consistently  could. 

This  house  answered  its  purpose  well  for  forty  years.     In 

1827,  the  town  voted  to  purchase  eight  acres  of  land  adjoin- 
ing the  alms-house  lot,  at  one  hundred  dollars  per  acre.     In 

1828,  the  project  of  purchasing  a  farm,  as  some  towns  had 
done,  on  which  to  employ  the  poor  as  laborers,  came  up  for 
discussion  ;  and  so  favorably  did  the  inhabitants  view  it,  that 
they  voted  to  purchase  as  soon  as  a  proper  one  could  be 
found.  No  purchase  was  made  ;  and  in  1832  a  committee  is 
directed  to  sell  the  poorhouse,  if  they  think  it  advisable.  It 
is  not  done ;  and  in  1837  the  town  again  called  up  the  sub- 
ject, and  appointed  a  committee  to  examine  lands  and  close  the 
bargain.     But  no  farm  was  purchased. 

In  1849,  the  town  bought  a  large  lot  of  ten  and  a  half 
acres  in  West  Medford,  on  Purchase  Street,  for  a  cemetery. 
After  the  purchase,  it  was   thought  that  the  situation  was 


349 


better  for  an  alms-house  than  a  cemetery ;  and  accordingly, 
March  10,  1851,  they  voted  to  change  the  appropriation. 

April  8,  1852 :  A  committee  was  appointed  to  sell  the  old 
alms-house,  and  devise  a  plan  for  a  new  one.  This  commit- 
tee consisted  of  the  following  gentlemen :  Samuel  Joyce, 
Elisha  Stetson,  Caleb  Mills,  John  A.  Page,  and  Franklin 
Patch.  The  committee  performed  their  duty  acceptably,  and 
were  directed  to  build  according  to  the  model ;  and  the  con- 
sequence was  the  spacious  and  comfortable  house  now  occu- 
pied by  the  public  poor  of  the  town. 

June  28,  1852 :  The  town  appropriated  $5,500  for  the 
building  of  the  house.     It  cost  $6,450. 


ENGINE-HOUSES. 


Number. 

When  built. 

Builders. 

Place. 

Cost. 

No.  1     ...     . 
No.  2     ...     . 
No.  3     ...     . 

1848 
1851 
1849 

James  Pierce 
James  Pierce 
James  Pierce 

Union  Street 
High  Street 
Park  Street 

$575.00 

2,375.13 

663.00 

CHAPTER     X. 


TRADE. 


Medford  having  for  its  friend  the  richest  merchant  belonging 
to  the  "  Company  "  of  the  Massachusetts  Plantation,  its  trade 
was  great  at  first. 

Oct.  16, 1B29  :  The  General  Court  ordered  "  that  the  com- 
pany's joint  stock  shall  have  the  trade  of  beaver  and  all  other 
furs  in  those  parts,  solely,  for  the  term  of  seven  years  from 
this  day." 

May  18,  1631 :  "  It  is  ordered  that  every  plantation  within 
the  limits  of  this  patent  shall,  before  the  last  day  of  June 
next,  provide  common  weights  and  measures,  which  shall  be 
made  by  some  which  the  governor  hath  already  sealed,  and 


350  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOKD. 

by  which  also  all  others  that  will  have  weights  and  measures 
of  their  own  are  to  be  made." 

1635  :  Voted  that  beaver-skins  shall  pass  for  ten  shillings 
per  pound. 

Sept.  6,  1638  :  Mr.  Cradock's  accounts  were  audited  in 
Boston. 

Mr.  Cradock's  large  outlay  here,  for  all  the  accommodations 
requisite  in  building  schooners  and  carrying  on  an  extensive 
fishing  business,  made  this  region  a  trading  centre.  This 
first  state  of  things  continued  till  the  withdrawal  of  Mr.  Cra- 
dock's property,  a  few  years  after  his  death.  The  fishing 
business  had  been  unsuccessful,  and  no  one  would  continue 
it.  The  second  period  of  trade  in  Medford  reached  (to 
speak  in  round  numbers)  from  1650  to  1750,  during  which 
time  the  manufacture  of  bricks  was  the  most  important  and 
lucrative  business  pursued  in  the  town.  Other  branches  gra- 
dually increased. 

1650  to  1700,  there  were  no  newspapers,  no  scientific 
lectures,  no  bank,  no  insurance-companies,  no  post-office,  no 
stage-coaches,  no  good  roads.  Must  not  trade  have  been 
small  ? 

The  third  period  extended  from  1750  to  1805.  It  began 
to  be  understood  that  Medford  could  furnish  the  staple  arti- 
cles of  iron,  steel,  lead,  salt,  molasses,  sugar,  tea,  codfish, 
chocolate,  guns,  powder,  rum,  &c,  to  country  traders  at  a 
less  price  than  they  could  get  them  at  Boston.  The  distil- 
ling business  and  the  manufacture  of  bricks  required  many 
lighters  to  go  loaded  to  Boston :  returning,  they  could 
bring  back  iron,  steel,  &c,  at  small  cost.  Medford,  there- 
fore, by  its  river,  became  a  centre  of  supply  to  country  tra- 
ders from  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont.  Supply  begets 
market,  as  market  begets  supply.  Traders  here  could  pur- 
chase ivory-handled  knives,  spring-locks,  brass-ware,  tin,  and 
pewter ;  of  groceries,  every  thing  but  good  tea  and  coffee ; 
of  dry  goods,  Kent  linen,  cotton,  Irish  stockings,  Turkey 
mohair,  red  serge,  broadcloth,  muffs,  ribbons,"  lace,  silks, 
combs,  napkins,  yellow  taffety,  thread-lace,  gloves,  &c.  Bar- 
ter was  the  most  common  form  of  trade  ;  and  the  exchanges 
were  made  with  about  half  the  care  and  selfishness  so  active 
at  this  day. 

Pitch,  tar,  and  turpentine  were  brought  from  the  interior 
at  an  early  date ;  but,  in  1755,  it  became  an  active  business. 
Casks  for  them  were  made  in  Medford ;  and  the  vote  of  the 


351 


town  required  that  each  cask  should  he  examined  by  a  com- . 
mittee,  and,  if  well  made,  then  marked  with  a  double  M. 
Coopering  now  became  an  extensive  and  profitable  branch  of 
business.  It  was  begun,  before  the  Revolution,  by  the 
agency  of  Mr.  Benjamin  Hall.  Charles  Henley,  of  Boston, 
was  his  foreman,  and  superintended  it  till  1802.  Andrew 
Blanchard,  Joseph  Pierce,  and  James  Kidder  were  appren- 
tices in  Mr.  Hall's  establishment. 

Mr.  Benjamin  Hall  was  among  the  first  and  the  most  active 
of.  the  Medford  merchants.  He  not  only  carried  on  the  dis- 
tilling business,  but  had  a  large  store  for  wholesale  barter. 
It  was  not  uncommon  for  him  to  receive  a  hundred  barrels 
of  pearl-ashes  per  day,  and  five  hundred  tierces  of  flax-seed 
per  year.  He  also  carried  on  the  "  beef  business,"  having 
seven  hundred  head  of  cattle  slaughtered  each  year.  Mr. 
Ebenezer  Hall  had  an  equal  number  slaughtered ;  and  they 
made  all  their  tallow  into  candles.  The  drovers  were  glad 
to  take  their  pay  in  sugar,  molasses,  iron,  tea,  rum,  &c. 

How  different  this  from  the  course  of  trade  in  England, 
where  a  man  was  forbidden  by  law  to  carry  on  two  mechanic 
trades  or  different  pursuits !  A  tanner  could  not  be  a  shoe- 
maker. These  monopolies  and  legal  restrictions  had  no 
place  in  New  England  ;  and  their  absence  was  a  prime  cause 
of  our  great  prosperity.  It  made  every  free  man  a  free 
trader.  The  British  Parliament  tried  to  put  on  the  handcuffs 
of  restriction  ;  but  the  colonists  would  not  wear  them.  Gal- 
latin says,  "  No  cause  has  contributed  more  to  the  prospe- 
rity of  this  country  than  the  absence  of  those  systems  of 
internal  restriction  and  monopoly  which  continue  to  disfigure 
other  countries." 

Mr.  Jonathan  Porter  opened  a  store  of  English  goods  pre- 
vious to  the  Revolution,  and  gradually  enlarged  his  business 
till  he  sold  all  the  heavier  articles  of  inland  commerce. 
There  are  those  now  living  who  remember  when  from  twenty 
to  thirty  "  country  pungs  "  were  gathered  about  the  doors  of 
these  Medford  traders,  discharging  and  taking  in  their  loads. 
These  pungs  were  drawn  by  two  horses  each,  and  started  as 
far  north  as  Montpelier,  Vt,  and  Lancaster,  N.H.  With 
three  large  distilleries  in  full  action,  and  many  sloops  and 
schooners  navigating  the  river,  Medford  became  one  of  the 
most  active  and  thriving  towns  in  the  Commonwealth.  Dis- 
tillation was  then  esteemed  by  most  persons  not  only  lawful 
and  right,  but  a  highly  respectable  business.     With  rapid 


352  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

strides,  Medford  rose  in  wealth,  and  increased  in  numbers ; 
and,  in  -305,  there  were  many  stores  opened,  where  the 
necessaries  and  conveniences,  and  even  the  ornaments  and 
luxuries,  of  life  could  be  obtained  at  as  cheap  a  rate  as  in 
Boston. 

The  fourth  period  of  trade  in  Medford  extends  from  1805 
to  the  present  time.  The  ship-building,  the  introduction  of 
steam,  the  Middlesex  Canal,  the  immigration  of  Bostonians 
to  this  place,  —  these  all  helped  to  open  new  avenues  to 
wealth,  and  increase  the  facilities  of  supply.  Within  this 
period,  more  than  half  the  present  number  of  houses  have 
been  built ;  and  there  are  now  five  public  highways  where 
there  was  one  fifty  years  ago.  The  whole  course  of  trade  has 
changed  from  barter  to  cash  payments  or  credits  ;  and  one 
trader  now  can  do  as  much  in  a  year  as  three  could  at  the 
beginning  of  this  century.  The  number  of  gentlemen  who 
reside  here,  and  do  business  in  Boston,  is  very  large,  and 
they  are  multiplying  every  month.  The  cars  on  both  rail- 
roads are  filled  every  morning,  —  the  earliest  with  laborers, 
the  next  with  merchants,  and  the  last  with  ladies. 

During  the  embargo,  in  1808,  an  old  black  schooner  came 
up  Mystic  River  with  a  deck-load  of  wood  and  bark.  A 
custom-house  officer  from  Boston  took  possession  of  her  as 
a  suspected  smuggler.  The  captain  invited  the  officer  to 
take  supper  with,  him  in  the  cabin.  They  sat  and  ate 
together ;  and  the  captain  asked  to  be  excused  a  moment 
while  he  gave  an  order  to  his  men.  No  sooner  had  he 
arrived  on  deck  than  he  turned  and  fastened  the  cabin  door. 
Extempore  Indians  were  ready  to  unload  the  hold  of  the 
schooner,  which  was  full  of  English  goods,  wire,  &c,  from 
Halifax.  During  half  the  night,  horse-wagons  were  passing 
to  Boston  from  the  old  wharf,  owned  by  Francis  Shed,  below 
the  ship-yard.  Some  teams  went  to  Maiden,  and  some  to 
West  Cambridge.  The  amounts  were  very  large,  and  the 
goods  of  the  costliest  kinds.  The  planting  of  that  night 
produced  a  rich  harvest.  The  goods  were  never  discovered  ; 
but  the  vessel  was  condemned  and  confiscated.  How 
soundly  the  officer  slept  is  not  known. 

MANUFACTURES. 

Of  these  Medford  has  never  had  many,  in  the  modern  ac- 
ceptation of  the  term.     Among  the  first  settlers,  every  house 


MANUFACTURES.  353 

•was,  in  one  sense,  a  factory ;  for  almost  every  one  had  a 
spinning'-wheel  and  loom.  For  the  early  ship-building,  there 
must  have  been  extensive  iron-works ;  and  much  weaving  of 
cotton  and  wool  must  have  been  necessary  to  supply  the 
large  numbers  of  fishermen  and  brick-makers.  Much  wool 
was  cleaned,  carded,  and  rolled  at  the  mill  of  Mr.  John  Al- 
bree,  who  was  a  manufacturer  of  starch  and  pomatum.  Leav- 
ing out  brick-making,  ship-building,  and  distilling,  we  have 
little  to  record.  Wooden  heels  were  made  by  Mr.  Samuel 
Reeves,  1750 ;  and  specimens  of  his  work  are  yet  among  his 
great-grandchildren  in  Medford.  Candles  and  hogsheads 
were  extensively  made,  about  the  same  time,  by  Messrs. 
Benjamin  and  Ebenezer  Hall.  Saltpetre  was  made  in  con- 
siderable quantities  by  Mr.  Isaac  Brooks.  "Wheelwrights 
carried  on  their  business  to  a  large  extent.  Mr.  James  Tufts 
and  Son  carried  on  for  many  years  the  pottery  business. 
Tanning  was  vigorously  pursued,  with  a  great  outlay  of  capi- 
tal, by  Mr.  Ebenezer  Hall,  on  land  a  few  rods  south-west  of 
the  Episcopal  church ;  and  by  Mr.  Jonathan  Brooks,  on  land 
near  Marble  Brook,  now  owned  by  Mr.  Noah  Johnson.  The 
first  tan-yard  in  Medford  was  on  the  corner  lot  south- 
east of  Whitmore's  Bridge.  It  was  bounded  on  the  east  by 
the  brook,  on  the  west  by  Lowell  Street,  and  on  the  north  by 
High  Street.  It  was  last  owned  by  Mr.  Nathan  Tufts  and 
Mr.  Jonathan  Brooks,  in  company.  "When  they  sold  it,  Mr. 
Tufts  moved  to  Charlestown,  and  became  the  most  extensive 
manufacturer  of  leather  in  the  State. 

At.Baconville,  now  in  Winchester,  Medford  had  a  factory, 
first  owned  by  Mr.  Josiah  Symmes.  About  forty  years  ago, 
a  company  of  Boston  gentlemen  purchased  the  water-power 
of  Mr.  Symmes,  for  the  purpose  of  setting  in  motion  a  new 
machine  for  spinning  yarn  for  the  manufacture  of  broadcloth. 
This  project,  introduced  by  a  Frenchman,  failed;  and  the 
mill-power  was  then  applied  to  the  manufacture  of  wood 
screws,  by  a  machine  entirely  new.  This  would  have  suc- 
ceeded; but,  the  war  of  1812  with  Great  Britain  having 
ended,  wood  screws  were  imported  from  England  so  cheap 
as  to  render  competition  ruinous.  John  L.  Sullivan,  Esq., 
the  chief  agent,  afterwards  sold  the  establishment  to  Mr. 
Stowell  for  $4,000,  through  whom  it  came  into  possession  of 
its  present  owner,  Robert  Bacon,  Esq.  He  has  built  three 
factories  and  two  dwelling-houses,  which  have  been  burned ; 
three  in  1840,  the  last  in  1843. 

45 


354  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Since  writing  the  above,  we  are  called  to  record  another 
destructive  fire  at  Baconville  of  the  factories  there.  They 
were  burned  Sunday  evening,  April  8,  1855. 

Mr.  Bacon  brought  his  machinery  from  Boston  to  Medford 
in  1824,  and  manufactured  hat-bodies,  feltings,  &c,  employ- 
ing eighteen  or  twenty  men.  Once  only  he  counted  ;  and  in 
that  year  he  formed  8o,000  hat-bodies.  This  work  was  done 
by  the  use  of  Silas  Mason's  patent,  and  T.  F.  Mayhew's  im- 
proved machine.  He  also  planked  many  thousands  yearly  ; 
which  operation  was  by  the  use  of  Macomber's  patent,  and 
his  own  improvement.  He  also  blowed  the  hair  from  fur, 
by  the  use  of  Arnold  Buffom's  patent  blowing-machine. 
This  process  was  truly  ingenious.  It  was  accomplished  by 
placing  the  fur  on  the  apron,  which  was  drawn  upon  a  cylin- 
drical picker,  revolving  at  the  rate  of  five  thousand  times  a 
minute ;  thence  it  was  thrown  to  a  fan  revolving  at  nearly 
the  same  speed  ;  this  sent  it  through  a  trunk  sixty  feet  long 
into  a  closet.  The  bottom  of  the  trunk  was  lined  with  coarse 
cloth ;  the  hair,  being  heaviest,  fell  and  stuck  to  the  cloth : 
the  consequence  was  that  the  fur  was  almost  entirely  cleared 
of  the  hair,  and  thus  the  hats  were  finer.  This  business  he 
continued  till  1848,  when  he  resigned  it  to  his  son,  who  has 
changed  the  business  to  the  manufacture  of  all  kinds  of  felt- 
ings and  lambs'-wool  wadding.  Among  the  feltings  he  has 
invented  a  new  kind,  called  sheathing  felt,  used  for  cover- 
ing the  bottoms  of  ships  :  it  can  also  be  placed  under  the 
copper,  and  is  much  used  in  covering  steam-boilers  and  pipes. 

The  making  of  linseed  oil  was  carried  on  by  Mr.  George 
L.  Stearns,  on  land  about  fifty  rods  south  of  Mystic  Bridge. 
He  imported  his  seed  from  Calcutta.  A  convention  of  manu- 
facturers of  this  oil  was  held  at  New  York  in  1841 ;  and  they 
agreed  to  send  a  committee  to  Washington,  to  induce  Con- 
gress to  shape  the  tariff  of  1842  so  as  to  protect  them.  The 
committee  succeeded;  and  Mr.  Stearns  was  one  of  them. 
The  effect  was  the  opposite  of  what  they  expected :  it  induced 
so  many  new  men  to  begin  the  business  that  it  ruined 
it.  From  1835,  the  manufactory  in  Medford  continued 
in  operation  to  1845,  when  it  suspended  activity.  It 
resumed  work  for  a  year,  when  the  building  was  burned  in 
1847. 

The  factory  of  Messrs.  Waterman  and  Litchfield,  for  the 
making  of  doors,  blinds,  window-sashes,  &c,  is  a  large  and 
flourishing  establishment,  near  the  entrance  of  Medford  Turn- 


BRICK-MAKING.  355 

pike.     It  is  operated  by  steam-power,  and  is  extensively  pa- 
tronized by  house-carpenters  for  planing  boards. 

The  mechanics  and  artisans  of  Medford,  in  their  various 
departments,  have  excellent  reputation,  and  much  property. 


BRICK-MAKING. 

The  large  deposits  of  valuable  clay  within  the  town  of 
Medford  early  directed  the  attention  of  the  enterprising  in- 
habitants to  the  manufacture  of  bricks  ;  and  those  made  in 
1630  for  Mr.  Cradock's  house  were  the  first.  Bricks  were 
made  on  Colonel  Royal's  estate.  Clay  deposits  were  found 
between  his  mansion-house  and  the  river.  A  most  extensive 
and  profitable  business  was  carried  on  in  these  yards  for 
many  years.  At  a  later  date,  say  1750,  bricks  were  made  on 
land  directly  north  of  Dr.  Tufts's  house.  The  steep  bank 
now  in  front  of  Mr.  George  W.  Porter's  house  marks  the 
place.  This  land,  called  Brick-yard  Pasture,  was  owned  by 
Rev.  Matthew  Byles,  of  Boston,  and  sold  by  him  to  Dr.  Si- 
mon Tufts,  March  26,  1761. 

Nov.  14,  1774,  the  town  passed  the  following  vote: 
"  That  this  town  does  disapprove  of  any  bricks  being  carried 
to  Boston  till  the  committees  of  the  neighboring  towns  shall 
consent  to  it." 

In  1785,  Stephen  Hall  willed  "  the  brick-yards  now  in  the 
occupation  of  Thomas '  Bradshaw,  and  Samuel  Tufts,  jun." 
About  this  time,  Captain  Caleb  Blanchard  and  his  brother 
Simon  made  bricks  in  a  yard  near  Mr.  Cradoct's  house,  in 
the  eastern  part  of  the  town ;  and  afterwards  in  a  yard  on  land 
opposite  the  Maiden  Alms-house,  just  on  the  borders  of  East 
Medford. 

The  bricks  used  for  the  construction  oi  the  six  tombs  first 
built  in  the  old  burying-ground  were  made  in  a  yard  owned 
by  Thomas  Brooks,  Esq.  That  yara  was  near  Mystic  River, 
about  half-way  between  Rock  Hi]-1  and  the  Lowell  Railroad 
Bridge.  In  that  yard,  Samuel  Francis  made  bricks  as  early 
as  1750,  and  sold  them  at  ten  shillings  per  thousand  (law- 
ful money).  Mr.  Brooks  carried  on  the  manufacture  in 
1760,  and  sold  them  at  fifteen  shillings.  Mr.  Stephen  Hall 
was  the  next  occupant  of  that  yard,  which  has  been  discon- 
tinued since  1800.     In  1795,  the  price  was  four  dollars. 

Captain  Caleb  Brooks  made  bricks  on  the  land  occupied 


356  HISTOTtY    OF    MEDFOKD. 

by  the  second  meeting-house.     The  banks  remain  visible  at 
this  time. 

A  bed  of  clay  was  opened,  in  1805,  about  forty  rods  east 
of  the  Wear  Bridge,  on  land  belonging  to  Spencer  Bucknam, 
lying  on  the  north  side  of  the  road.  Only  one  kiln  was 
burned  there. 

Fountain-yards.  —  These  yards,  which  were  near  the 
"  Fountain  House,"  about  eighty  rods  east  of  "  Gravelly 
Bridge,"  were  early  in  order  of  age.  Messrs.  William  Tufts, 
Thomas  Bradshaw,  Hutchinson  Tufts,  Benjamin  Tufts,  and 
Sylvanus  Blanchard  were  the  manufacturers  in  that  locality. 
These  yards  have  been  discontinued  within  our  day. 

Yards  near  the  "Cradock  House"  were  opened  in  1630. 
Mr.  Francis  Shedd  occupied  them  in  1700. 

''Sodom-yards."  —  As  the  familiar  and  improper  sobri- 
quet of  Sodom  was  early  given  to  that  part  of  Medford  which 
lies  south  of  the  river,  the  brick -yards,  opened  by  the  brothers 
Isaac,  Jonathan,  and  Ebenezer  Tufts,  obtained  the  local 
name.  After  these  gentlemen  came  Seth  Tufts,  who,  with 
his  son  Seth,  carried  on  the  business  till  recently.  These 
yards  were  situated  near  Middlesex  Canal  and  the  river,  about 
south-south-east  from  Rock  Hill. 

The  next  in  order  of  age  were  the  yards  opened  in  1810  by 
Nathan  Adams,  Esq.  They  were  situated  each  side  of  the 
old  county  road,  leading  from  Medford  over  Winter  Hill,  and 
were  about  half  *a  mile  south  of  the  "  Great  Bridge,"  in  the 
small  valley  on  the  borders  of  Winter  Brook.  From  the  first 
kiln,  Captain  Adams  built  the  house  now  standing  on  the 
right  side  of  the  road,  twenty  rods  north  of  the  kiln,  as  an 
advertisement  >  and  the  bricks  show  the  goodness  of  the  clay 
and  the  skill  of  \he  workmen.  These  yards  were  next  occu- 
pied by  Mr.  Babbitt,  but  have  been  discontinued  for  ten  or 
fifteen  years. 

We  presume  that  bricks  have  been  made  in  many  places 
now  unknown  to  us  ;  for  nearly  the  whole  of  Medford  seems 
to  have  a  deep  stratum  of  pure  clay  under  it. 

The  facility  of  procuring  pi^e,  chestnut,  and  hemlock-wood 
by  the  Middlesex  Canal  made  this  branch  of  business  pro- 
fitable ;  but  when  steam  navigation  could  bring  bricks  from 
Maine,  where  wood  was  half  the  price  it  bore  here,  the  Med- 
ford trade  was  fatally  curtailed.  The  bricks  were  carted  to 
Boston  at  great  cost,  which  gave  the  yards  in  Charlestown 
an  advantage  over  ours.     If  they  were  taken  in  "  lighters," 


ship-building.  357 

by  the  river,  this  did  not  much  lessen  the  expenses  of  trans- 
portation, but  increased  the  risks  of  fracture.  The  high 
price  of  labor,  of  wood,  and  of  cartage,  rendered  competition 
unwise ;  and  the  manufacture  of  bricks  has  ceased. 


SHIP-BUILDING. 

Governor  "VVinthrop  sailed  from  Cowes,  in  England,  on 
Thursday,  April  8,  1630.  On  Saturday,  June  12,  he  reached 
Boston  Bay  ;  and,  on  the  17th  of  that  month,  he  makes  the 
following  record :  "  Went  up  Mistick  River  about  six  miles." 

To  this  heroic  and  Christian  adventurer  belongs  the  honor 
of  building  the  first  vessel  whose  keel  was  laid  in  this  part  of 
the  Western  World ;  and  that  vessel  was  built  on  the  bank 
of  Mystic  River,  and  probably  not  far  from  the  governor's 
house  at  "  Ten  Hills."  There  is  a  tradition  that  it  was  built 
on  the  north  shore  of  the  river,  and  therefore  within  the  limits 
of  Medford.  The  record  concerning  it  is  as  follows  :  "  July 
4,  1631.  The  governor  built  a  bark  at  Mistick,  which  was 
launched  this  day,  and  called  '  The  Blessing  of  the  Bay.'  " 

"Aug.  9,  the  same  year,  the  governor's  bark,  being  of 
thirty  tons,  went  to  sea." 

It  cost  one  hundred  and  forty-five  pounds.  The  owner 
said  of  it,  May  16,  1636,  "  I  will  sell  her  for  one  hundred 
and  sixty  pounds." 

There  was  something  singularly  prophetic  in  the  fact  that 
the  first  vessel  built  "at  Mistick"  should  have  so  increased 
in  price  after  five  years  of  service.  Our  day  has  seen  the 
prophecy  fulfilled  ;  as  it  is  no  marvel  now  for  a  Medford  ship 
to  command  a  higher  price  after  having  had  a  fair  trial  at  sea. 

The  second  year  (1632)  witnessed  another  vessel  built 
by  Mr.  Cradock  on  the  bank  of  the  Mystic,  whose  register  was 
a  hundred  tons.  In  1633,  a  ship  of  two  hundred  tons  was 
built;  and  another,  named  "Rebecca,"  tonnage  unknown: 
both  built  by  Mr.  Cradock.  Mr.  William  Wood,  in  1633, 
writes  :  "  Mr.  Cradock  is  here  at  charges  of  building  ships. 
The  last  year,  one  was  upon  the  stocks  of  a  hundred  tons  : 
that  being  finished,  they  are  to  build  twice  her  burden." 
There  is  reason  to  believe  that  Mr.  Cradock's  ship-yard  was 
that  now  occupied  by  Mr.  J.  T.  Foster. 

That  large  vessels  could  float  in  the  river  had  been  proved 
by  the  governor,  who  may  be  called  the  first  navigator  of  our 


358  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

narrow  and  winding  stream.  The  long  passages  made  by 
these  schooners  prove  to  us,  that  their  form  and  rig  were  not 
after  the  model  and  fashion  of  our  day.  One  of  them  was 
"  six  weeks  going  to  Virginea."  The  build  and  rigging, 
now  so  peculiarly  American,  have  no  superiors  in  the  world ; 
and  Medford  has  long  stood  among  the  leaders  in  improved 
naval  architecture. 

There  is  a  tradition,  probably  founded  on  fact,  that  small 
sloops,  called  lighters,  fit  for  the  river  navigation,  were  built 
in  very  early  times  at  the  "  landing  "  near  "  Rock  Hill,"  in 
West  Medford.  At  a  later  day,  one  of  these  was  built  there 
by  Mr.  Rhodes,  of  Boston,  and  called  the  Mayflower,  in 
honor  of  that  vessel  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  tons  which 
came  across  the  Atlantic  freighted  to  the  full  with  religion 
and  liberty,  and  which  landed  our  Pilgrim  Fathers  on  the  Rock 
of  Plymouth.  The  registers  of  this  small  craft  are  lost,  if 
they  ever  existed ;  as  no  trace  of  them  can  be  found  in  the 
records  of  the  Custom  House  at  Boston,  or  in  those  of  the 
Secretary  of  the  Navy  at  Washington.  This  business  of  ship- 
building, beginning  in  1631,  and  increasing  annually  for 
several  years,  required  many  men,  who  required  houses  and 
food  within  the  town. 

The  origin  of  the  name  of  schooners  is  thus  given  in  the 
Massachusetts  Historical  Collection.  Mr.  Andrew  Robinson, 
of  Gloucester,  Mass.,  built  and  rigged  a  small  vessel  having 
two  masts.  At  the  moment  of  launching,  a  bystander  cried 
out,  "  Oh,  how  she  scoons  ! "  Robinson  instantly  replied, 
"  A  schooner  let  her  be."  And  thus  they  named  her.  The 
first  bark  built  in  Plymouth  colony  was  built  by  private 
subscription ;  and  the  paper  bears  date  of  January  24,  1641. 
It  was  about  fifty  tons,  and  cost  two  hundred  pounds. 

That  modelling  is  the  difficult  point  in  ship-building,  is 
proved  by  the  fact  that  science  has  so  slowly  approached  that 
form  which  will  safely  carry  the  largest  burden  in  the  shortest 
time.  From  Noah's  ark,  which  was  not  built  for  sailing,  to 
the  last  improved  dipper  of  our  day,  the  science  of  modelling 
has  produced  strange  results.  How  far  the  ark  was  a  life- 
preserver  of  the  arts  of  the  antediluvians,  we  know  not; 
but  we  cannot  suppose  it  has  done  much  more  for  ship-build- 
ing than  the  shell  of  the  nautilus  or  the  sternum  of  the  duck. 
That  some  arts  are  lost,  there  can  be  no  doubt.  We  cannot 
embalm  as  did  the  ancient  Egyptians,  nor  lift  as  they  did  the 
stones  of  their  pyramids  ;  we  have  not  the  petrifying  cement 


SHIP-BUILDING.  359 

with  which  Appius  Claudius  built  the  aqueducts  of  Rome, 
Sesostris  those  of  Egypt,  Semiramis  those  of  Babylon,  and 
Hezekiah  those  of  Jerusalem  ;  but  we  think  that  no  good  art  in 
ship-architecture  has  ever  been  lost ;  and  we  believe  that  the 
Medford  model  of  this  year  has  never  been  surpassed.  The 
speed  and  safety  of  our  ships  are  proofs  of  our  remark. 

The  "  Arbella,"  of  four  hundred  tons,  which  brought  Go- 
vernor Winthrop,  was  sixty-five  days  on  its  passage,  —  a 
period  in  which  a  Medford  sailing  ship  now  can  cross  the 
Atlantic  four  times. 

"Oct.  7,  1641:  General  Court.  —  Whereas  the  country  is  now 
in  hand  with  the  building  of  ships,  which  is  a  business  of  great  im- 
portance for  the  common  good,  and  therefore  suitable  care  is  to  be 
taken  that  it  be  well  performed ;  it  is  therefore  ordered,  that,  when 
any  ship  is  to  be  built  within  this  jurisdiction,  it  shall  be  lawful  for 
the  owners  to  appoint  and  put  in  some  able  man  to  survey  the  work 
and  workmen  from  time  to  time,  to  see  that  it  be  performed  and 
carried  on  according  to  the  rules  of  their  art." 

Who  were  delegated  for  this  singular  supervisory  duty  in 
Medford,  or  how  much  our  ship-carpenters  relished  it,  we 
are  not  told.  May  29,  1644,  the  General  Court  proposed  the 
formation  of  a  company  of  ship-builders,  "  with  power  to  regu- 
late the  building  of  ships,  and  to  make  such  orders  and  laws 
amongst  themselves  as  may  conduce  to  the  public  good." 

Mystic  River,  having  no  fatal  shoals  or  rocks  within  it,  per- 
mits the  passage  of  an  empty  ship  of  twenty-five  hundred 
tons  at  the  highest  tides.  If  we  can  suppose  a  sea-serpent 
to  have  started  from  Charlestown  for  a  visit  to  the  country, 
and  a  small  stream  of  tide-water  to  have  followed  him  in  his 
explorations,  we  can  imagine  him  thus  marking  out  by  his 
many  and  sudden  windings  the  course  of  our  river  from  Bos- 
ton Bay  to  the  Pond,  —  rendering  it  thus  serpentine  in  order 
to  present  the  best  accommodations  to  the  greatest  number  of 
ship-builders.  Where  can  a  little  river  be  found  that  will 
afford  convenient  sites  for  ten  large  ship-yards  within  one 
mile's  distance  ?  When,  in  one  of  these  yards,  we  have  seen 
from  one  to  three  vessels  on  the  stocks  at  the  same  time,  and 
have  listened  to  that  well-known,  busy  hum  that  comes  from 
the  boring  of  augers,  the  cutting  of  saws,  and  the  driving  of 
bolts,  we  have  felt  that  a  more  glorious  exhibition  of  human 
industry  could  nowhere  be  witnessed.  To  the  gentlemen 
who  have  been  at  the  head  of  this  great  enterprise,  Medford 
is  deeply  indebted.     Since  the  first  of  them  came,  real  estate 


360  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOIU). 

» 

has  more  than  dpubled  in  the  town  ;  and  land  which  was 
sold  for  thirty  or  fifty  dollars  an  acre  has  since  been  sold 
for  two  or  five  hundred  per  acre.  The  names  of  Magoun, 
Turner,  Lapham,  Sprague,  James,  Fuller,  Rogers,  Stetson, 
Waterman,  Ewell,  Curtis,  Foster,  Taylor,  and  others,  will  be 
held  in  grateful  remembrance  for  many  generations. 

Mr.  Calvin  Turner  was  esteemed  as  one  of  the  most  skilful 
and  accurate  draughtsmen,  as  well  as  one  of  the  most  faithful 
builders,  in  New  England.  His  yard  was  opposite  Cross 
Street.  He  came  to  Medford  in  1804,  and  rapidly  acquired 
reputation  by  his  genius  and  fidelity. 

Mr.  George  Bryant  Lapham  was  among  the  earliest  comers 
connected  with  ship-building  here.  By  patient  industry, 
sound  judgment,  and  unobtrusive  merit,  he  won  confidence, 
and  commanded  respect.  Of  others  we  should  be  glad  to 
speak,  did  our  limits  allow. 

Of  the  pioneer  in  this  eventful  movement  of  ship-building, 
we  may  take  the  liberty  of  stating  a  few  facts,  as  they  belong 
to  the  history  of  the  town. 

Thatcher  Magoun,  Esq.,  was  born  in  Pembroke,  Mass., 
June  17,  1775,  —  that  red-letter  day  in  Freedom's  calendar. 
He  early  chose  the  trade  of  a  ship-carpenter,  and  served  his 
time  with  Mr.  Enos  Briggs,  at  Salem,  where  he  worked  five 
years.  He  was  fond  of  being  in  the  "  mould-room,"  and 
soon  showed  good  reasons  for  his  predilection.  From  Salem, 
he  went  to  Mr.  Barker's  yard,  in  Charlestown  (the  present 
Navy  Yard),  where  he  worked  and  studied  two  years,  and 
assisted  in  modelling.  There  he  made  the  model  of  the  first 
vessel  he  built,  which  was  the  "  Mount  JEtna,"  of  Medford. 
In  1802,  he  began  to  look  about  him  for  a  place  in  which  he 
might  safely  begin,  on  his  own  account,  the  business  which 
was  the  darling  choice  of  his  life.  An  accident,  so  called  in 
the  world's  language,  led  him,  one  pleasant  day,  on  a  stroll 
upon  "Winter  Hill ;  and,  standing  on  one  of  those  mounds  of 
earth  thrown  up  by  our  patriot  soldiers,  probably  on  the  day 
he  was  born,  for  a  rampart,  he  took  a  calm  survey  of  Mystic 
River  as  the  tide  gave  its  full  outline.  At  this  moment  came 
into  mind  the  thought  that  here  was  a  good  place  to  build 
ships.  But  many  things  were  to  be  ascertained  about  it. 
How  deep  is  the  water  at  high  tide  ?  Are  there  any  rocks 
or  shoals  in  the  bed  of  the  stream  ?  Can  timber  be  readily 
got  in  the  neighborhood  ?  and  can  land  be  bought  at  a  fair 
price  ?    These  were  inquiries  which  rushed  through  his  young 


SHIP-BUILDING.  361 

soul,  and  he  felt  that  they  must  be  answered.  As  his  eye 
was  searching  river  and  woods,  he  saw  the  two  masts  of  a 
schooner,  which  was  lying  at  one  of  the  distil-house  wharves, 
in  Medford.  He  immediately  started  for  her.  This  was  his 
first  visit  to  Medford.  He  reached  the  schooner ;  and  his 
eager  question  to  the  captain  was,  "  How  much  water  do  you 
draw?"  Answer,  "Ten  feet."  "What's  your  tonnage?" 
Answer,  "  One  hundred  and  twenty  tons."  "Do  you  go 
up  and  down  the  river  often  ?  "  "  Yes,  I  bring  wood  for 
this  distillery."  "Are  there  any  large  rocks  or  bad  shoals  in 
the  bed  of  the  river  ?  "  "  No,  it's  all  clear."  "  How  deep  is 
the  water  generally  at  high  tide  ?  "  "I  guess  from  fifteen 
to  twenty  feet."  "  Do  you  think  an  empty  ship  of  three 
hundred  tons  could  float  down  the  river  ?  "  "  Oh,  yes." 
After  this  conversation,  he  silently  concluded  to  make  the 
trial.  He  found  intelligent  and  afnue»t  citizens  in  Medford 
who  were  ready  to  aid  him  ;  but  he  told  them  "  he  could  not 
afford  to  be  helped."  A  young  man  thus  afraid  of  debts 
would  be  likely  to  succeed  without  foreign  aid.  Young 
Magoun  thus  illustrated  the  common  remark,  that,  where 
fathers  do  every  thing  for  their  sons,  the  sDns  do  nothing  for 
themselves ;  and,  where  fathers  can  do  nothing  for  their 
sons,  the  sons  do  every  thing  for  themselves  ;  making  the 
difference  between  the  giant  and  the  dwarf.  Some  advised 
his  beginning  to  build  above  the  bridge.  He  accordingly 
examined  the  bed  of  the  river,  and  the  depth  of  the  water  at 
low  tide,  by  fording  and  wading  ;  and  thus  decided  not  to 
fix  himself  there.  He  then  weighed  the  reasons  for  prefer- 
ring other  places,  till  he  finally  concluded  in  favor  of  the 
spot  where  he  first  settled,  and  where  all  his  ships  have  been 
built.  His  convictions  being  firm,  that  the  river  could  float 
any  vessel  he  might  build,  that  the  neighborhood  could  fur- 
nish an  ample  supply  of  oak  timber,  and  that  the  site  he  had 
chosen  could  be  purchased  at  a  moderate  price,  he  made  an 
offer,  which  was  accepted.  Thus  1802  saw  laid  the  'first 
keel  of  that  fleet  of  ocean  merchant  ships  whose  sails  have 
shaded  every  sea  and  bay  on  the  navigable  globe.  Honor  to 
him  to  whom  honor  is  due !  Mr.  Magoun  lives  to  see  his 
favorite  science  and  art  carried  to  new  triumphs ;  and,  rest- 
ing in  the  affluence  that  follows  his  labor,  may  he  long  enjoy 
that  respect  and  gratitude  which  society  loves  to  give  to  its 
real  benefactors ! 

Timber  was  procured  from  Medford,  Maiden,  Woburn, 


3b%  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Burlington,  Lexington,  Stoneham,  Andover,  and  their  adjoin- 
ing towns.  Mr'.  Magoun's  first  purchase  of  it  was  trees 
standing  in  what  is  now  Winchester.  He  gave  six  dollars 
per  ton :  the  seller  was  to  cut  and  deliver  it.  It  was  more 
difficult  to  get  the  white-oak  plank.  When  the  Middlesex 
Canal  was  opened,  a  supply  came  through  that  channel ;  and 
large  rafts  were  floated  into  the  river  through  a  side  lock, 
which  was  near  the  entrance  of  Medford  Turnpike.  With 
our  first  builders,  their  price  per  ton  for  building  was  twenty- 
five  dollars  ;  but  they  furnished  only  the  wood  and  labor, 
—  every  thing  else  was  furnished  by  the  owner.  The  best 
oak  plank  can  yet  be  procured,  though  at  an  advanced  price. 
The  "  southern  hard  pine  "  is  more  used  than  ever  as  a  sub- 
stitute, because  it  is  so  cut  into  long  plank  as  to  make  less 
work  to  the  builder.  The  materials  for  building  at  Med- 
ford may  all  be  procured  at  a  rate  which  will  allow  as  favor- 
able terms  as  at  any  other  place,  especially  when  the  compa- 
rative rent  of  yards  is  included.  If  the  water  in  the  river 
had  been  deep  enough  for  the  large  ships  of  the  present  day, 
the  yards  above  the  bridge  would  never  have  been  aban- 
doned. 

The  increase  of  size  in  our  Medford  ships  has  been  gra- 
dual. T\*j  «  Columbiana,"  built  in  1837,  was  the  first  of 
six  hundred  tons  ;  and  the  "  Ocean  Express,"  the  first  of  two 
thousand  tons.  The  ship  "Shooting  Star"  was  the  first 
clipper  built  here  ;  and  the  "  George  Peabody,"  the  first  ves- 
sel that  passed  the  bridges  on  Mystic  River,  after  the  draws 
had  been  widened  according  to  the  direction  of  the  Legis- 
lature. 

The  Rev.  A.  R.  Baker  preached  a  sermon  on  ship-building, 
in  1846,  to  which  is  appended  a  "register  of  vessels  built  in 
Medford."  He  says,  "  I  have  enrolled  them  so  as  to  present 
the  year  of  their  construction,  their  description  and  name, 
the  yard  in  which  they  were  built,  the  name  of  their  respec- 
tive builders  and  first  owners,  the  residence  of  the  latter,  the 
tonnage  of  each  vessel,  the  amount  of  tonnage,  and  the  value 
of  the  vessels  built  here,  estimating  the  hull,  spars,  and  blocks 
of  each  at  forty-five  dollars  per  ton."  The  register  has  been 
brought  down,  for  this  history,  from  1846  to  1855. 

From  this  register,  it  appears  that  five  hundred  and  thir- 
teen vessels  have  been  built  in  Medford  between  the  begin- 
ning of  the  present  century  and  the  year  1855,  with  an 
aggregate  of  two  hundred  and  thirty-two  thousand  two  hun- 


SHIP-BUILDING.  363 

dred  and  six  tons ;  and  at  a  cost,  according  to  the  above  esti- 
mate, of  ten  millions  four  hundred  and  forty-nine  thousand 
two  hundred  and  seventy  dollars.  The  greatest  number 
constructed  in  any  one  yard  is  one  hundred  and  eighty -five ; 
and,  in  any  single  year,  thirty.     That  year  was  1845. 

"  The  tonnage  of  the  vessels  built  here  in  that  year,"  says  Mr. 
Baker,  "  was  nine  thousand  seven  hundred  and  twelve  tons ;  and 
their  aggregate,  as  they  left  our  yards,  about  half  a  million  of  dol- 
lars. The  shortest  space  in  which  a  vessel  was  ever  built  in  the 
town  was  twenty-six  days.  Her  name  was  '  The  Avon,'  a  ship  of 
four  hundred  tons,  which,  with  two  others  built  here  about  the  same 
period,  served  as  privateers  in  the  last  war  with  the  mother  coun- 
try. In  the  five  years  preceding  April  1,  1837,  sixty  vessels  were' 
built  in  this  town,  which  employed  two  hundred  thirty-nine  work- 
men, and  of  which  the  measurement  was  twenty-four  thousand  one 
hundred  and  ninety-five  tons,  and  the  value  one  million  one  hun- 
dred and  twelve  thousand  nine  hundred  and  seventy  dollars.  All 
those  constructed  in  the  county,  except  eleven,  were  built  here. 
The  value  of  these  sixty  was  about  one-sixth  of  all  the  shipping 
built  in  the  Commonwealth  during  the  same  period.  In  the  year 
preceding  April  1,  1845,  twenty-four  ships  were  launched  here, 
which  employed  two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  whose  tonnage  was 
nine  thousand  six  hundred  and  sixty,  and  whose  value  was  half  a 
million  of  dollars.  In  that  year,  one-quarter  of  the  ship-builders  in 
the  Commonwealth  were  employed  in  this  town,  and  built  nearly 
one-quarter  of  the  ships  constructed  in  the  State,  one-third  of  the 
tonnage,  and  one-half  the  value  of  the  whole.  From  this  result,  so 
creditable  to  our  town,  it  appears  that  a  given  number  of  workmen 
here  build  larger  and  more  valuable  vessels  than  those  which  are 
commonly  constructed  in  other  parts  of  the  Commonwealth. 

"  Of  these  vessels,  two  merit  a  special  notice.  The  first  was 
framed  and  put  together  in  the  oldest  yard  in  the  town ;  then  taken 
down,  transported  to  Boston,  and  put  on  board  the  « Thaddeus,' 
commanded  by  a  gentleman  of  this  village,  who  carried  out  with  it 
the  first  missionaries  to  the  Sandwich  Islands,  where  it  laid  the 
foundation  for  this  useful  art.  The  other  is  the  'Falcon,'  by 
the  same  builder,  in  1817,  —  the  most  remarkable  vessel  that  ever 
floated  in  our  river,  famed  not  for  any  wonderful  beauty  or  perfect- 
ness  of  cons/ruction.  Others  may  have  sailed  swifter,  and  been 
finer  models ;  but,  in  one  important  respect,  this  vessel  surpassed 
all  before  it,  —  and  we  trust  that  no  others  will  ever  have  an  oppor- 
tunity to  rival  it,  —  it  was  the  first  vessel  built  in  this  town  without 
rum.  Previously,  the  keel  was  laid,  and  each  part  of  the  work 
accomplished,  by  the  stimulus  of  ardent  spirit.  Each  vessel  was 
profanely  christened  with  rum.  He  who  first  took  this  noble  stand 
in  the  cause  of  temperance,  in  that  day  when  all  was  drunkenness 
around,  deserves  our  thanks,  and  ought  to  be  encouraged  in  every 


364  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

good  work  by  the  result  of  that  effort.  The  resolution  was  formed 
on  a  bright  autumnal  morning,  as  the  only  means  of  preserving  the 
virtue  of  several  apprentices,  and  at  first  called  forth  ridicule  and 
reproach.  No  rum  !  no  rum  ! !  was  written  by  these  young  devo- 
tees of  Bacchus  on  every  clapboard  of  the  workshop,  on  each  tim- 
ber and  chip  in  the  yard.  Some  refused  to  work ;  others  cursed 
and  swore.  But  firmness  gave  opportunity  for  reflection,  which,  in 
a  few,  approved  the  decision,  whose  number  increased,  till,  in  two 
years,  they  became  the  majority,  and,  in  five,  drove  the  monster 
from  every  yard,  —  a  result  in  which  we  heartily  rejoice." 

The  sermon  gives  a  religious  aspect  to  ship-building.  It 
may  symbolize  human  life.  The  wood  and  metals  of  which 
a  hull  is  composed  come  from  the  earth;  and  in  that  ship's 
body  are  represented  the  mind  of  the  moulder,  the  skill  of  the 
architect,  the  hand  of  the  carpenter,  the  smith,  and  the  calker : 
and  these  most  important  parts  are  so  blended  as  to  attract 
least  notice  ;  while  the  labors  of  the  sailmaker  and  the  rigger, 
the  taste  of  the  carver,  and  the  coloring  of  the  painter,  catch 
the  eye  and  charm  the  mind.  The  hour  of  launching  is  the 
hour  of  its  birth.  The  anxiety  of  the  builder  then  has  its 
parallel  elsewhere.  It  goes  an  infant  to  its  new  life  to  begin 
its  world-journey.  How  important  that  it  should  be  well 
found!  How  important  that  its  compass,  like  a  good  con- 
science, should  be  ever  in  order  ;  that  its  pilots  and  mariners 
should  be  ever  quick  for  duty  ;  and,  above  all,  that  its  lading 
should  be  such,  that,  like  virtue,  it  will  secure  wealth  to  its 
owner  in  the  distant  market !  So,  in  this  voyage  of  human 
life,  if  we  put  good  works  on  board  and  wait  the  wind,  if 
we  take  for  our  chart  the  word  of  God  and  are  faithful  to 
its  heavenly  bearings,  we  shall  safely  pass  the  dangers  of 
the  sea,  as  we  sail  towards  that  port  of  death  to  which  all 
gales  drive  us  ;  and,  having  cast  that  anchor  which  can  never 
be  weighed,  we  shall  find  a  safe  moorage  in  the  haven  of 
eternal  peace. 

The  ships  of  our  day  and  of  our  town  have  Wne  the  mis- 
sionaries of  the  cross,  with  their  printing-presses  and  Bibles, 
to  the  heathen  of  benighted  lands  ;  and  the  ancient  prediction 
seems  here  in  one  sense  fulfilled.  Historic  truth,  without 
any  violation  of  language,  may  now  say  of  Medford  what 
the  prophet  Ezekiel  says  of  Tyrus  :  "  The  ships  of  Tarsshish 
did  sing  of  thee  in  thy  market ;  and  thou  wast  replenished 
and  made  very  glorious  in  the  midst  of  the  seas." 

When  we  consider  how  much  ship-building  has  done  for 


SHIP-BUILDING.  365 

our  beautiful  village ;  how  many  comfortable  dwellings  it 
has  reared,  how  many  thousands  of  human  beings  it  has 
fed,  how  many  children  it  has  taught,  how  many  homes  it  has 
blessed,  and  how  much  suffering  it  has  soothed ;  when  we 
also  consider  that  the  ships  which  have  gone  from  us  are 
busy  in  honorable  trade,  bringing  comforts  and  wealth  to 
their  various  owners,  extending  the  knowledge  and  securities 
of  commerce,  defending  us  in  war,  and  promoting  Christian 
brotherhood  in  peace  ;  when  we  sum  up  these  domestic 
benefactions  and  these  foreign  bounties,  we  are  moved  to  a 
devout  acknowledgment  of  the  wisdom  and  care  of  God. 


366 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


NNMHT(iQ(K05073N(JOOCOCTINaNlON<DNNHO«'*         W  CO  «  00 
HNC-lHMM«lMrtraHNMNINW*T)((NnrfHC<TOn«rtHHHIN«l 

I!!!!!!!!!.!!!.!.!!.!!!.  !r«  !!!.!  ! 

8 

asflcssaaflfieasflaflssrtsscrts  el*  a  .  e  e  e  a 
ooooooooooooooooooooooooo.o   oooo 

-y     /.    /.    f/j   «   «   a)   «    rj   a:   aj    ai    7]   a:    tc    tfi    m   oi   to    ui    ic    »    a:    ic    «    f    k         </}    cc    cfi    tf? 

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo^o  .oooo 

s  1  ^^il4|i  Bill  1*8  ^sls  If  i*  :|3j* 
Jcigillf  «««-sl-sp;f|p;l««§f  «n-st  ■li-li 


•  W  .  .  .w  .  .w 

;f4  ;;  ;h  ;;«;;;;:;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;  : 

eeeeee   *  a  e  •  e  e  e  *  •  •  c  a  a  *  *  "  a  e  e  *  *  *  * 
asaaeseessaaSaaasasaeeSssegasgss 

o!scooS©©a'ii°o£oooGc2c>oc>ce'S000s3cce 
MC   60  so  be  C   be  bo  E   C   be  bo  C   be  be  bo  2   E   E   be  bo  be  C   £   2   bo  be  be  2   2   £   G 

*3c4eicjecia1e3o3i:SPc3c3ci333c3cScoee3c3=*oS333e 

g  H  g  g  g  H  S  S  H  H^  S  H  S  S  S  H  H  H  S  S  S  H  H  H  S  S  S  H  H  H  H 
HOEHHEHdEHHC3dHHdE^EHEHdc5UHEHEHdddHEHEHOddd 

tntoMtntosn^MwaiWcncocoMaicoGOcoGetoteoicnojcoaotDcoaicea) 

g V§  §  g  I  g  §  a  a  g  §  "a  §  g  g  g  g  a  g  g  g  a  a  a  g  *g  g  a  "a  a  a 
g>f  g> « «"!  g)  gp-a-a  «>  g>|,  bx,  b0  ya-a-a  g>  g>  ^-af  f  g>  «>  srf  f  f  f. 

EHcoEHHEH02EHEHW02EHEHaJEHEHEHcQCQCQEHEHEHcocQcoHEHH^ 


si 


r3 


of)  -2 


CO 

ffl    rt    .,    3 


tfi 


h    '  ^  e  ^  _2    "  .c 

. gB.pl! g u l|4g ^  J i0^! g^ 


Isow 


_  sj  »■<  e 

"S  §.§1 

£?  Soo^  S  ,E?-H  "J  g  £  -9  0 


iOlOHM»T(llOtDMIOOOHN 


REGISTER    OF    VESSELS    BUILT    IN    MEDFOKD. 


367 


CO  lO  »<S  <N 


O  CM  00  «S 


i-  a  r!  c  'O  o  h  co  ■*  n  01  n  «  co  ?i  ■ 


OOOHOWHCOKHOO  <M 

;  ■*  CO  ■*  r-H  U3  ifi  O  CN  CO  ■*  »0 

.N^iofflH^tOffl'fOlCOt-^ 

iHHnHraraiNcioMHiNH 


s 

pq    .pqpqpqpqpqpq; 


:s  : : : 

a  a  a  a  a 
00000 


.=3 


oooo-Oooooooooooo 


.0000 


'  o  o  o  o  o 
l  pq  pq  pq  cq  pqpq  ( 


£1 


15  Ph 


!H;a 


V     h     H     H     V     3"     0! 

-*?  r-r.  ™  .1  ^^  ^  t>  T1 


i-5  <  *  '5  O  cm  h5 


,3  :£«s. 


a  _^   .  tcO 

O  rO    _  OS    „ 

tD  a  S  •  y  ■« 

.   Oft    |HJ 

Sa  S.2      3  f^      tfk;  gt;   . 
pqpw-tjfq^pqp^,-;^!?^^^ 


g«P5 

"C    " 

—  '5" 


a  a  a 
a  a  a 

~  o  o  a  a 


■-CO 


O    O    0) 


a  a 


a  a  a  a  a 
looaaaaaScucjajfljcj 

_'Plj&jOOOOOr-<C*rHr5r«C2 

CO  &C  tiD  C    "    C    C    C 


a  a  a  d  a  ■ 

oooooSo- 

>u  ojj  cjj  oij  i_,    l,    $_.    tj    j_;    l,    j_.    bo  bD  bo  bfl  be  i_,    cj    bo  b£) 


CO    to    CO    CO 


a  a  a 

000 

cr  --(  ;n 


a  a  a  s  a  ^ 


CO    CO    DO    CO    tc    CQ    CO 

a  a  a  s  a  a  a 


a  a  a  *?  a  a 

a  a  g  <#  a  a 

s^ppsp^oooooycuOO 
S,  &  5.°  SP  5?  SP  LD  ft  ft"ftftft  ft  a,  SP  SP  a°  SP  SPo.  ^  *P  L° 

51    tl ft-- 


•a^ 


!*.& 


ea| 


cs  a  d  s  ?  S  ^  S  ^  a 
Pm  o  «  p<5  <<  ft  Ph  pu  PL,  o 


:  IN  M  SHU*  Mils 


CO  CO  CO  CO  ■ 


^iiSONI 


"El 
■S3 


1  -i 

5      Sa 


5.3  a  t->; 


'3  aM=  Sw  . 

_  *J   3  -u  ti   e3 

tills.? 

^  K  cm  0.E-1    . 

*  si*-!-0 
.0  3   «  te 


368 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


■*flNOUJlOOteOU3 


NMM<DINnOOil5!flOSO!Oi 
M(3!On!0!OOlOCQO)tOOlMOfOH(Ono«5tO( 


.  n3     .T3     . 
a)    .  a> 

:a  :s  : 


SflflSSflg 

2  5  2  2  2  2  2 


ooooooooooooooooooooo 


Si' 


■s  ft 


#  S  ti  9  <»  s 


■§rtl  J 


§^  ?d^ 


8  sT° "gl 


;fcO> 


:    O    3     4    O      .    O    O 


:a| 


bp      >  «  J  g  >,t3 
■sbmo^S   —^  ^  J=  s3  £  s  2  > 


a  a 


a  a  •  •  a 


a  a 


0)    01 

'  a  a  *  §  I 


is  a  s3 

S3    S3    S3 


S3    S3 


5    3    O    60  bO  be  be  aj  2}  3  bO  bO 
bO  bo  W>,2  =*  «  =j  W)  so  60,2  J2 

£gs£sgso2g^§ 

0,0,0    .    .    .    .  a>  ft  ft   .    . 


2^S 


a>oOO"<uoo 
3  3  bO  bo  a)  fj  bo  bo 
be  bo.2  k2  LD  ^m  ,2  i 
£    g^l^    O    g^rt 

ftft  •  •  ¥  &  •  • 
cc  02  H  H  O  02  H  Eh 


o    O    O^  ^" 
ttf)  bfi  bfl 


S2S 


£f>  be  bO«3  J2 


1-8  >->  "A  "f3  "fl  *E3  "fi  "3  •"»  ^  *S3  "« 
d>!  =2  £   S3    S3   3    3  £  #  #    S3    S3 

3  s  <u  be  bo  bo  bo  oj  ^  ss  bc  M 

ft  ft  ^    .    .    .    ,  »  q,2,   ,     . 
02  02  O  HHHhO  02  co  H  H 


05   ««    eo 


a  a 


ft    •     • 

coHH 


S3    S3  £n  <*S    S3    S3 

maiooooo 

=3    S3    M  60  £ L  S3    JO  W 
be  btJS  J*  £?  60,2  J2 

a,  ft  .   .  2  ft  •   • 
^02HHO«2HEh 


§§§JJ§ 

bO  bO  bfi*5  *5    n^ 


a)    m    O    O    h 
«>    ft  ft    .      . 

HHH020200202HH02 


3    •  «  h  fa  o 


j  boo/ftbOftbebObObobobOo/bobOrt  ft  60  3  60ft6O6O6eftft6O6O6eftftftft60 
•o  'C  .2  3  "G  S  "C  "B  "C  -n  "C  "C  Oh'SBS'Sfi'^'C'E'ESa'E'S'CSSSJS 
o2mo202PQo2mmmfqmFqo2pqpqo20Dpqo2mo2mw  pqoQ(flpqpqmcgcQ03GQpq 


OlOiHNOJ^lOtON! 


N»'*>OCONOO«Oi 


^l«»N 


REGISTER    ()!■'    VESSELS    Hl'lLT    IN    MEDFOliD. 


369 


eo«»H 

-H  (N 

nHM«coHH«Hrqn 

M    P3   M   rH    -1   iH    IN 

'--0 

(N  CO  CO  C^ 

<N  CM  CO 

a  a  a  a  a 

a  a 

m 

m 

)ii 

)ii 

m 

)ii 

)ii 

)ii 

)n 

)n 

)n  &  Mcdford 

.-Cd 

CJ    o 

•  •«§ 

a   .  ° 
?    .  § 
B   .# 

S  a  a 

ooccooooooooocsoooooooooooooooo-^co 
ocoocooooooooooooooooooooooooo^goo 


I'd 
"  fe»£  S 

8 .5^ &o£  ~ 

^ll^lll^lSFiieiisi^ 


~1  •£  da  pq , 


gO  73 
"So 


CD  bD1^  ^  3j  3 

o  c  ^  o  a  S 
tf  #  *  *  Ph  Ph 


•  a  g  rt  a  a  .*»j3  •  •  •oo^cjciri 

is* 


2  a 


«# 


=2  #<2  # 
o   o  cj   <u ' 


-3  S 


PuPm 


c   c 


§,8,8  8"** 

02  73C50HHH 


o  so  to  so 

CD  bD  bD  CD  £f  gfjS    «  ij 

£  £  S  £  8  o^rt< 
&,  £,  ft  ft  ^  •"  .  .  . 
02020202  C;OHEHrH 


o  o  o  o 


bo  bo  bo  Ed  gpj  £  cp  SP  SPiS 

wvimmO H H 02*02  O H 


s  a ""  "n 


,m   m 

a  a  a 


a  a 


a  a 


a  a 


§*<*?^*?6£  a 


a  fl1^^  s  d  a  a 
5s=>;^££3a^ 

«,"§.  s    g    »    »    bObObD'        . 

rt   bo  bo  60  g\2  ,,2  ^    cf  5"  bD  SO  bo  bO  6C  6C^ 


o  o 

O    0)    bD  bo  bD 


2  2  jj  o  <u  <u ' 


£  s  a=3=a£  a 
"  o  o  a?  ®  "  g 

bO  bO  «  ei ««  J*  g"  £c  bD  bD  bD  M>  B  *  bD  bo  60  « 


a  a- ; 


rt   JT  bo  bo 

02 02 02*  02*6 6 H H  H cc as o^of^cwO 5  H  H H  rJ  ce  t»  gq  aTaTcS H  H coco  OH 


fr-S-S^ 


ft  ft  J 


.2  2 


li 


N:^ 


'So  m 


la  1-3 


=  •=  ? 


5  Tc'£ 


a  31  -jz       a 


S  ^  6  rJ  <J  O  S  <1  H  W  8  Ph  m  02  H  O  O  ffl^W  H 


^  j  .S'.Sp.SP rj  .bf.S<.b/>.&'.t,D.£*.a0iD 

CC02^WWO2no2Wo2CT 


ft  bo  iO  cO  be  bD  ft  bo  ft  bo  bo  bo  bp_ft_ft  bpft^o-^bo  ^ftbpft 

■a  "c  n  '2  '2  -c  'a  -n  'a  ~c  "E  'S  'C  ^  .e  ^  ^3  ^2  s-  ^  ^  ^3 
^^,pqgqWPQo2Mo2W  MB  W  02  02W  o2Q2Mo2pq  02 


cJ-a.g  o 

PS 

2   s 


47 


370 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


?S. 


Momoooooi 

C5  o  >o  o  «o  o  t~-  « 

CO  M   M  ?1  «  H  CO  ' 


)-eioio^Nioco«'MLoiooi»ooi<ocmoo) 

leiOOOOO^OOOOONOOCOOWIiNO 
INC-1COCOMCOCOCOCO  IM   N  C*  CO  CO  M  CO  CO 


01    0>      . 

%%  : 

da  <£  . 


:m 


kj    ...  o 

.    »J    C<   -^   fl    rj     -P 


"  «2 ' 


:s  :  . 

.  <SJ  <4j  <4S 

S  5  So  SSS5S_SS  S  2  S  5  5  o-5££^;ooi!o3oc3:    ".§'£.§ 


£    -HH 


IS 


-fj 


°,^'c°  S  e  c  _-u^PV3^££  o.S3«5  ,'^i«  ?H.o  SB  fe 


o 


.  a>  ftp, 


a  a  a  a 

cS    C3    cS    cS 


a  a 


3  3<a<a<a<3£  3  3  B£**«  3 

cC  ST  d  3  s  a  o>  se  se  so  «  d  d  d  M 
k5  k5   -o  so  be  en  ms  a  a  be  ir.  i(  -:r  _^ 

^^  2£g£  ?<<^S  o  2  2  2^ 

.    .   ft  ft,  ft,  &,  *    .     .     .   a>   ft,  ft,  &,    . 

HHtccvscoccObiHE-iCSajajajtH 


(<  K=j    o    o 
.    .  o>  o> 


y* 

ft,  o 


3  2^ 


S£ 


o  o> 


0)    be  I 


2?  ft  3 

J3  cs  sd  be  .:,J,f:  J5  J3  is 

g^  2  2  oS^Sh 

a,  ft  <*>   .   .   .   . 


IP 


cS    SD  be 

.  ft,  ft 


•      .    J)    jj    0)    O    »1      <      •.      .    5)    o    o 

*d  *«  ►■»  »-»  ►■»  •-»  9  «  a  a  -pji-s  t-s  i-j  ■ 

sc  be  S  d  2  d  «  bc  bc  se-S  p  3  S 

.    .  ft,  ft  ft,  ft  ^    •    •    •    .  ft  ftl£L 
HH«2a3a2ccC5HHr-icoa5cc(^i 


a  a 


aa' 


O    0J    to       •       •       •       • 

a  s  "k 

S     5  J5J     «     CO     !0     09 

>-»  •-»  5  "d  *d  *d  "d 

3  5  ^  sc  se  teg 


^S^^  g  g^S^  2 


be  be  ?JJ^; 


8* 


CO 


Hcz.a.c»OHEHHa5c 


£  & 


> 


^  ^  oj  ►"  fq  h]  o  H  Ph  i-l  .J  S  O  Ph  M  W  p<  O  «  ^i  ^  yl  W  O  Ph  H  W  E-+n5  C5  S 


»  0  fl  o^  * 

P   2   o 


ft,  ft  I 


.&.&  SP.&'.S"  &  &1  rj  j5  A  ^scboboftftftftseftbcftftft 

'■ ,r!  "c  a  3  s  s  '.5  s  ■.?  s  ^1  ^ 


co  co  -nn  •*  - 


REGISTER    OF    VESSELS    1UJILT    IN    3UEDFOKD. 


371 


:s 

.08 

OOOOpOOOOOOOOO 

S  B  v.  SO  a.  QQ  do  *  x  r.  x  '/-  X  7J 

00000000000  osc 


J  : :  :* 


0|2  5  0  3  or^S^S2i§2  °  2  °  2  •§  2  3 
0  ,^j  b  6  6  0  , 


o  —   o   o   o  .0 
rt  -      n   cj   to  =o 


• eg 

>6a § 

S£»  J  j  to^s^o  "cc  2  2-S5  &"&« 


O     g    O    O 


MS  ^O-So  : 


'W 


S  =3  iJ08 


=a 


.  >,  o  £  ft  § 


2  * 


o)  a>  <d  o  oj 

a  s  a  s  a 

r.    -.    OS    3    d 


s  a  a 


a  a  a  M  •  •  • 

ci    c«    85    8      •      •      • 

- ^00  c  _ 

o  £    be  *p  p. 


a  a  a 


^  K>  H» 

§  S  <a  «a  <a 


r*  o 

4j    £, 


3  o  to  to  to  to  3  3  a  3  3  «  «  sr-  so  so  bD'&'S  a  a  3-  3  «  *S  SBfaa  c„  3,  P I  &■£ 
«  £.3  J:  ft- J;  to  to  to  to  to so  icj:  js  j=  Jj  ~  ~  so  to  to  to  sot  ,5ft  *  =  Mepsogp* 

xcj  cr    c?    c:    rr    a    fn    m  >;    3    k    «    o  ,     .     .     .    aQiCLr     . 


O     O    CJ    CJ    O    CO    «3 

2  a  a  s  a  --  g 

u2  i2  — ;  ft  ft  —  ft  ■ 

3    3 


W     M     K     M     W 


5    O    5)    ff    « 

aim 


9g 

~  ft  ft 


<*  £  a  a  a  s^^^^^iSfa 

oOOOOoQJiJOO  - 

3  o  to  to  to  to  3  3  3  3  3  u  o  to  to  to  tc .  .  L 
to  so ij  £JiJ-  so  to  to  to  to  so  ?r.^  ^  _^  jj  =-  r 
g  c^^^<=i  g  g  2  i:  2  o  o^^^^h^m 
.    .ftaaaa08 


9    ~.6i^i^^^ 


to   w 


Ills 


_   o  o 
3  o  j£  so  to-; 

sr  :r-  -  J4  J5  ?  ?  so  to  tr.  ?'  - 
2    :  -A  ^  ^  t-)  "-5  g  g  g  S  cc  . 


ja,  0^ 


■-»  •-»  I-5-3 

Si.  <2 


OQ  C5  H  H  H  H  co  £'£'£' cnO  O  H  H  H  H  cfl  co  : 


I  ifHilltf  IllllfHllTl 111 IftSjjj 

ft.n.  ft  p.aaaaa^  so.a>.te.o.  ft  a.c-  ft  ft  ft  ft  ft  ft  .ft^  .^£\£-.&'.£/.£'.£\5<.2<.2H 

S  m  1 « I  il  3 1  ^m  «  ^  §  S 1  ^  ^  S  ^  ffl^w^  a  «  m  ££&&&&&& 


372 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


» 


i  fi  «3  ra  «3  «3  ■*  'Ji  h  «;  m  'O  «3  >0  f  i  n  n  «j  h  «j 


lO   ?J  to  O  TfO  o 


■X   .-*■% 


o  o  o  o  q  c 


g««ffNg-g< 

pq  - 

d  ^ 


.    .  o 

■1' 


.    .    .    .  O  .     .    .    .  *  °a 

^      ad  j    •  p  p  ^  — 

8.3  -  §  005^0^  s 


?  .3  S  .2  .2    •    •  5  to  k  ^  c  i  .2    .       wbr?„sgfe^ 


IS  a  «  3 


Jl 


-   z 
o 


iHH 


<P   n  o 

'  £  is  > 

'WWW 


=  j, 


O    O    Q)    qj  "  "    o 

H  H  co  cc  O  0 1-; 


: :  • :  :1§1«J;J 

fig"?  |^*^i£dd 

+S  +2        5P-5  3  -3  3  <u    •  ._• 

^hOhtc  ofx'co'O  ^ ri 


da  • 


2  2  2s  e:«<8r£  a 

5  ►?  >5  2  .2  fee  so  tc  o 
?  £  £  co  co  g  £  Sm 

.        .       .  ft  ft  ° 

^  P4  P2-1 1-^  i-i  co  co  O  >-i 


|§o5 

KM*!? 


g  <«  dg  «a 

2  2  2 

5oo 


►-J  Ph  ft,  Ci,  f^ 


2  2  g> 


tj   u  01 

2  B\ 


*s  "a  ^  •"*  13  3  -m 

0  5  =*!#££  B 

O    O    0)    Qj"  "    c 

totos  so  g>  iS 
«  «  tc  bc*c  tc  oj 

.    .  aft?  S    . 
H  H  CO  co  O  O  ►-, 


g  g  1  §  l*5<g««iS"g  s 

«   «   tc  tD-5   §  g 

£  S  kS  m    ef  gi  60  &  M  « 

co  co  -^  ^  1— 5  2  £  g  o  ^  ? 

.    .    •    •    .  ft  ft  EL  o>    . 


_   o  o  o  o  o  0 

tD  tO  tD  tD  tC  £   £    3 

'  "*  kS  <s  «  *  S  tD 


HHcHhi-;  co"co  O  ^  i-i  >-i  H  H  H  H 


»  ■  fl  "a  *c  *c 

S  (3  3  2  3  3 
000000 
ii:(  tc  tc  to 
■£  S   e   k  c;   a 

CO  CO  "  §  ™  ^ 


£  2  ^ 


,_!  ^  g  p5  W  ^5  h  Ci)  ^  ^ 


illsil'S'SlilH' 


CO  CO  «2  CO  CO  CO  I 


o  -5  s  -s 


ftftftD.p.ftMftftftftft  tc  to-*   P,  C  &  P-,  Ph^J    ft  C-  ft  &,  &, 

13  13  1c  ^a  !S  !S  'u  "S  'S  13  "_S  \P-  'C  'C  «  '3  'S  'S  'S  'S  a  'J 


«!WcocococococoWcococococoWPmcococococoMcccocoa2co 


OHNCOTjliotONCOOOHi 
OOOOOOOOOOr-t!--, 
NMcqiNMINIMININCTNNl 


^"OfflNOOfllOHNMitllOtOS 
HiHrtHM^MOMINlMlNMNi.      . 
NINNIMNINNNN«IN(NM(NMN«lMNIN 


REGISTER    OF    VESSELS    BUILT    IN    MEDFORD. 


373 


003N-«NOHil 


O  t~-  ir?  US  <N  i-i  -H  if  O  C5  O  — l  O  to  O  O 

(s-MnMioonct<0';';o  «s  «a  o  us  -m  —.  c  -m  to  -t< 


n  o  «5  oo  h  oo  o 

CO  CO  »C  N  »(J  N  'O 

-l<  ■*  CO  «3  «!  «5  o 


'd'O    .    .    . 

.c  .o     •     •     • 

•si  •  •  ■ 

°8  ^i  n  S   o 
C  C  g  o!* 
g«go^oooooQQooooopocoo-i;dK    o  o  o  >i  o  o  c 

oooooooii'Scoo^oooo 

pt,^ipqpppqgpqpqnpci«pqpq 


g  g  c>h  c  a 

o  «Ss  o  ..    oooo 


o  o 


ifcBBI 


.  o  eg 

.  a  - 


•hJ-H>  s^  s 

■<d  -°    •  ■£  „ '~  "  2  "2 -°  oi 


•  -a  "3 

_  "o  "o  . 


^a 


°l^^^3a^1^ 


^^S3      ^  ^  X  ■-     ~  ■—     rf     C    3 


J:  --a 


'«« 


a  a  b  a  p: «  o 


>H  B  o  .g  g,  o  5  ^  ^  g  £  ^-fi  g  "J  "  ~  O  „ 


^?DOmH 


P'h'-tSB 


coo 

£  >  > 

BBW 

Irtbiw 

CCS, 
ei   <3    rt  ' 

a  c  c 


~    ri    n 

6.B.& 

X  DQ  QO 


g  g<8#ij  a  h 

v  g   .   .  Jj  Jj  <**  2  ^ 

S£*<8££s  2  gx 

<u         .    .    .    .  o  p<  ° 
Oi-^BPliBBPmxO^ 


O     4)     O     CD    10     O 


;HPqwWBW 
•  K SKKS  E  g 


v    O    Hi,    u 


0-  ^  f  a  s  a  a  a  a 

'&  ?   &   o   o   o   o   o   ai   v  z.  ai  <%  %'■£ 


5  ~  t  -1  z  "S 

-    •-  >"    £P  hn  hn  "    T    O    ^j 


S,ShP-06 


.s  is  ■"  r  ~i 

H   _|  O     O 

oo  x  x  fn  B  t-s  Ph 


351 

6d£ 


<o   a>   oJ   o  o 

a  a  a  a  a 

rt  ,es    rt   s   bJ 


O   O    O    o    o    o 
:r.  so  so  ^   c   c 

—  —'  -5  r/-'  if  rJ 

^*  ^  ^    b    js    ir 
H  ch  H  X  CQ  CO 


"OOOOCoo0 

qj  «■  tc  ic  so  so  3  S  cd  iS 

1  ^  ^  45  vS  —  »h  bD  bc  £.c  « 
S  0Q  S  S  S  S  £  £  p  CO 

Oi-s'E-<E-iE-iHGOcoC3>-i 


ce  +3    C    C 


p«   b   p    3    3   3    3    S^^Jjdic?    g-;j 

o-^Cooooooooocdo9'-m 
to  t-  O  to  so  to  sr.  so  sosccCCw* 
kS  s  •  .2  k£  k2  k2  J5  J5  -^  -r- in  brj  trj  3  " 
<iOO'^'^^i<«^<''  £  £  £  £  £■/ 

&,E,&c^c< 

c-iB^EHE-iiHHfHHaJCQ&ocGcG^B 


oco^ 


.s  "  » 
T3    2  -3 

ggo„ 


C3     .^^33-r!?         GgCD 


cSOoSPb!5BPcoBOMcoB>-WMbSOodBBOC)Odq 


ft  g,  P,  P«  Pj  Oh  p,  p,  p<  ft,  p<  p,  {jo  p,  p,  CS4  g<  P<  P<  P<  Ph  P,-g    J-Ch&^Ch!^0<P<^&iP,P< 

icsisicss^iassss'^icS^ssiaiss^assiassia^asia'^sia 

OQCQCQCOCQCOCQCQ  r/;  gq  X  X  ^  K  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  -^  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X 


l«5CSSOOCOHCMKH<U3CDNCOOOHCN)M-*U5CONCOaOHMM'*WCONOO 
ICOMCOTOCO^-*Tj<-*<rf<Tj<TtiTj('+^cHiO>OlOlO>0'C'C'0>0'0«OCO«0<r>OCOCOcr!CO 
ICqNCNCqeN<N<NCNCNI(NCNCNCq^C^CNC>)ClClC-lC>1C>l(NC^CNC>IC<l01C^ 


374 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


M   CONUJi 


OU5«>HtOOO'*N 
Tt<i-<-*<r-iO©©t^CO 

H-*MtO!ONNiOO 


II 

c  ^ 

p:  X 


o  3 

o  o 


§  s 
—  3 


•  t3 


S23S- 


:s 


oooooooo 


c  s  rt  p  a  p 
2  2  2  2  3  3 


oPQ 

CO     . 


n 


;--  '-'■ 


i:  o 
o    •    -IS 

a  •  ■  «&, 


o 


gW  |c^  gPnQpqn  g  H  o  fP  |  ~ 


3   bl^  o^  S 
s  £  co  H  ri  <l  W 


H3T3 


o  o 


3  o  3  S  SpqMOW."S 
o  P   rf  <"  "  .    •  S 


WW 


i   a   o  o   p 


O    o    CD    o 

'  *  £  is  £ 


aw 


S  S  a  i. 
|  g  |l 


#  <%  <%  & 


2  £  2l?Wco 
pH  b.  sx  a    .    . 

CO  COCO  WCO  Hs 


I  |ooo 
x^dddi 

•-»  Ph  l-»  •-»  i-a  I 


saga 

3   o   o   o 


"    4>    £_,    •. 

&  a  o  o 

eg  •"»   *   08  i 

a^HH 

3  <u  =3=3' 


'  ■"   -<  Z  3  ^3 

•  i>    S»     J    =   CO 

.    .  SL,  o  o  <" 
iPhco  WFhO 


•  WW  WW    •        •    •    • 

1     •  cgcg  cgcg     •   o     •     •     • 

s  a  a  a  a  an  s  ^ 

oiiii-a*il«5 

o         .    . 

H^CiHpi-ipHCOWl-sP-i'-s 


a  a  a  a 

<Zi<Xii<2  S  *P 

blj  be  br,  be  rt  O 
2  2  2  Sm  CO 
CO  CO  CO  CO  CO  1-9 


w  J0   to  \C  CQ  B   p 

StJOOU  b£ 

h»  Ph  hJ  i-i  >-a  £h 


P    P    P    P 
o  c   c  o 

bC  be  be  W 


.     00     CO     CO       .       . 

•  ai   di  cu   co     • 

»iiis  • 

V|  Hj  t-S  l-J  Pj    CO 

P  =8  c8  <«  g  la 

§>  p  §  p  a)  Js 

3    :i.  br,  bf  ?'    - 
^    2    2    2    =  X 


JB       *       *       '       *  B       •       -     M 

•|  "1 1 1  s  "a  5 "« -M'  '1 

PooooSoO-aP 
O   be  be  be  bp:5   h   »  tl  i) 

.^2.3  45^  rt  bc3  p  . 
O^^^hl  2co^O 
H»cHHHcHcQcoi-ieui-J 


o .«~  t,  3  ■ 


i  »  6    .    .    •  -5  i3  o  «  S  P    •  c3  3-  • 


1  'i'p'3 


Pi-3  ^  P 


a  x, 


>-    ce^  — «    on ;«    b  ca.jH    -'^    ^  "s   ^    5  t1    °    5    °  «    o    P  -2   P    2    -    -r,12    u         x    ?-^  .i 


-^  cattCia  P<-^ 

.„j=oC^^^.3i   rs3;33  3   sx3^3   cs^n^!^;"3^rt/3^i^rr:rr;^;c3 

co  co  co  co  co  co  co  co  co  co  p;  co  X-  co  coPPcoxcoP5copq  OQ  CO  CO  X  PS  CO  CO  CO  CO  GQ  GQ  W 


IDMIOOO. 


CM  CO  ^  'O  SI  I 


CM  CM  CM  CM  CM  i 


CM  CM  CM  CM  CM  CM  CM  CM  i 


OlOHOM-Jl'OONCOClO^cM 
OSOCIOJOOOIOOOOOOO 
CM  CM  CM  i 


OJ  CM  CM  CM  CM  CM  i 


REGISTER    OF    VESSELS    BUILT    IN    MEDFOKI). 


375 


O  CO   O  <M  CM 


>OrOt~-COCOt^OOOCO'-c(MOOO 

CMOMMmiOOHNO-tOCOO 


s  a    • 

?  &  . 

■2  2   • 

o   o 
o  o     • 

•  a   • 

■sjl 

2  «5  2 

a     .     . 

.  8 

&   • 

2   • 

a 

I 

1  :i : : 
8  -J  . . 

J)      £   JO      £      O      r- 


£223  5'?'?32'5'?'S2523 


aO 


o  o  o  o  o 


g   o    3    3 


o  o  >  o  •£   o  o  -p  Q  •£  o  ,p 


O0£ 

•  080808 


=8  08 


1*3  g 

— °  'He's 


8-g 

^4 


s^3 
W<11* 


.  o  0  cs 


.  .0 

^1o 


?.< 


C3   =3     ^JrS^lS-d     g 


ifi^<j^i 


0000 
?  ?  ?  ? 


o    o   o   a>   O   o 
ss  fs  i*  is  ?  st 


WW 


00000 


=3=3  =3  eg  =8  eg 


WW 

08  eg 


gas 
II 

03    Si 

>>>> 


3  aHHBHH 
**  ^  «8  «8  «8  «8  08 


©  ©  p^  Pli  Ph  p^  Pm-J 


11*9  S 

000  2 

000^ 


o  00  00 
a  so  ^>!?!B"*'E'  E? 

*  a  beg  3  3  3  3 

P*  P*  o  to   *  "S  «  OJ 
a>ooooo 


a  §  a  a  a  a 

3  3  3  3  o  3 
03    ci    03    c3   oj   e3 


08  08  08  08 

3  3  3  o> 


«»^^ 


3  3    3    3 

p  o  o  o 

to  tn  bo  si 

cd  -    S3    - 


_    o  o>  <o     • 

s  1 1 1 1 1  • 

O    O    O    " 


003 


3  3  3 


to  ;rj  bc  tD  fcfl 
SoggSggE 
»  *  p,p,p,p,p<  . 

©  ©  go  go  co  go  go  >-, 


3   3    3   3    3    3 

^    s    ^    ^    ^    3 

c  o  o  o  o  o 
;r,  in  sc  cd  to  be 

H  H  H  H  H  H 


.     .  to   0   o   <D  ai   o 

.  .  -s  a  a  a  a  a 

3  3  £  =2  #  =2  =2  # 
O  O  *"" '(1)000)0 
c3    rt    tOb|)  [jd  sc  so  sc 

Si?  3  g  g  g  g  2 

.      .    «    E,  &,  G,  P<  Ph 

HHOcococococoi 


a  a  a  a 

rt    rt    rt    ci 


^i i5 t3.... 

Iti  ''Mi  lii  ipl  &i4  iil&ii&i  &i  n  1 

11  i  l|t  Ha  S>|  cfgdJ-sa-al  |||  g  ST3  I  ^  3.H  a  a^  5  ^g-S 

.&,^rS^'^  d  a  2""^  S-,bc^i^  2^  S^"^  "^  .S-.S'.S-'.S-.S''^  .2^  .2,.£H'^  .S*"^  ^a"  ^  .a  .SP.^'  .SP 
co  K  »  p;  p;  go  go  go  w  go.W  pq^GOGO^WGOGOGOcOGoMooWcQcoWcofflcaWcQWcncQ 


»-*icnONooc!OrHci»-*'oaN»oOHrin-*«3(ONXOo-i'Mn-)no!DN»ffi 

OOOOOCOH«rtr<HHHHHrf'Mf]CKI'M(M-KKl:incocOKiranccnMM 


376 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


H  s 


OiOOOMOeOOOOOSM'tHKMOCOOnCJOOMlOHS 
OMSOIJOONfOOtlOtOTjcOlinwcOOQOO 


CM  CI  lO  >0  CO 


woorara- 


o  o  o  o  o  • 


-  --a  s 

a  a  s  a  „ 
oo_.'-oco^co 

"!20    " 


•o   • 

'OG     • 


od.iiSbcoododoj'i 
pqpq£pL,pqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqS^ 


55 


o o OvOOO o«* 

oooSSo  co2,a 
pq  pq  pq  £  pq  pq  pq  pq  p.,  O 


P-O  q;^  ?~, 

.     g>     M  rj     »     Oj 


2  a£ 

.5    O    O 

-J -SO  g 


o  S£ 


HnO"-8gSgt8^Sfl^BCJ5h|Oggg* 
^HSpqccN^Cs^^^^pq^PHW 


|2SH  S-aO 
^IpH^'lJp 


0     0)00 


eg  eg 

a  a 
fell 


Hjj  "  "  'j-'^'f^p  p  a  a  a  a  a  a  "a 

^Il'I'rlollo^lllll^l^lillll'iooooS 


5  5  S 


« *»  « "i»  K  "  "  * 
vd  \s  -a  -3  'a  "a  "a  a 

aaaaoooo 

UOOO  to  tc  to  to 


di  "a  "a  -m  v]  ~ai  w  s  b  b  H  a  a  a  a 

tooojaaa"   .   .   .  a  J2  £  i3  J3 ,_,  > 

cK^HiPMP^p^O^h^^ccHHEH^HHHHEHOJ^piH'p^PH'pMHi^^*^ 


^  S  Ph 

!  !  pa  '.  '.  cj  ".  !  !  !  s  '.  !  !  "3  !  ! M  !  !  '  m  "  '.  '.  '  '.  '.  '.  '.  '.  '. 

ii  nil  Nail  mis  i  liiiri  ttat If l|t  h 

cs  IS  13  "la  «o  8  "C  IS  ^3  *§  *  13  8  8 13  IS  S'EISIH  «s  S  IS  IS  S  IS  IS  ■  rt  £  o  "C 

pqajt»pq^pq^pqpqcc^ccpq^pqpqccccpqpqK;r/jpqpq^copqoo«2PqPP3t»pq 


«  CO  ■*  115  (O  N  OO  O!  O 

co  co  co  co  co  co 


lOONCOfflO^OM 

CDIOtOtOCOl 

co  co  eo  co  1 


co  co  co  co 


REGISTER    OF    VESSELS    HU1LT    IN    MEDFORD. 


377 


.  ©  ©  CO  ©  ©  ©  ' 

wkoccooi 

Tt"  «5  <3  •*  00  CN  ( 


©  O  <M  ■*  <M  t-  ,-h 
t-  05  -h   O  O  t--  M 


IM  ©  lO  ©  < 


O      •    6 


oooo.oooo^ooooo 


OOOOO^OOCO^OOOOO.^^OrturOOrtOOOOrtOOO^/iOO 

pq«pqpq«!2;?qfq«pqoKWpqpqB^;ancoS»n^wpqpqpq^pqwp;oSpqW 


.  .-g  ..."  .■g  ...  0TS  .  . 

o  o  g  o  o  g  o  3  2  2  S^s  2  2 


Coo 


lllilljg^lll^j^:  ■ ;c3  jl 
I,8*««**a|^wHl«ig  .Sal's 

jfe  s  s  -S  "S  g  .  .  §  .s  a  .  s>iS  a  •  a  2?  fe  .  "s  • 


Ot3    ».     .     •     • 


^il^pqEH^ 


«Jg' 


Ho^<lH 


o  o 

P   P 


o   o  r» 

WW  s 


000PPPPP:cvC-.n.^r*'7uoo00,aj,~r-'-.e\C-3;33P00000 

HHPHFHWOOOOO|||353||||||g  S  "5  £  g  O  O  O  Ph  fe  fe  -p^ 


P   g<8 

0    C ■    o 

tctc- 


HHco 


S  8  S  8  g    .    . 

I  §  1 1  § » - 

►-3  h|  ^5  ^  Hj  -2  .25 

o  o  o  o  o  .3  ^  p  p  p  •-  •-  •-  o 
3  pOOOOO  b  b  b 


a  s  s  a  a 


C  o  p  o  o  o 


to  to  CD  bD  so  to 


3   P   oi   «   a>    b   b   %&&<%> 

O    O  ■ «  "rt  ■ rt    P    3    3    o    o    o 

»   <S    60  00  bO  h  S^OOO    PC 


53^ 


:0 ppb^^^rtooo^rtrtp-pp-  .     .    bo  bO  oil  00  M 

fdddddoooESgsScSdQSSSooooooggggg 


.   C 


"X  l  S  2 


is 

go 


a  *j  ^ 


"**  S  -I  ~  f  p  S "I 


!  a  a  »  8."^  ■ 


3.^.:r. 


i  .B,.§>3  .8*.a  .g'.&.&'E'  J  ^ ' 


1 3 13 1 


■*  «S  O  t~-  00  Oi   O  i 


OOHNM' 
i  00  00  00  00  CO  ©  I 
CSMMKir 


n-*iooi 


43 


378 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


0005C<3^t^.>0>OOOOOOOOt^'-'(MOOOCOC1COOOO"*' 

U5M0ie0'0Oa)NNOH«3OI-.«5O«5«5O»O«l'(ii0«5'iii0i 
nOO>N<DOM'»ONMO«)         lONNMN<O00tt>Nl»(»O>MI 


oooSoooSoSSSSgSoSSoSSSSoS.^oooooBoo 
00000060  ooooon'^o  6  rooso  000  00  0000, 5  00 


0000 
'   ►    !S    £    ff 

1  r^J   r^  c^  1-3 


•  •  *  'gg'-e 

S  S  8  S  8  S  £ 

co    03   co   co     .     .     • 

HHhhHHO 


popo 

TS  ^  T3  T3 

.3   3   3   3 
OOOO 


H»  t-s  t-»  t-a  H»  l-s  Hj 


OOOO 

I 

ST  _a>   oooelj 
-}  CO  CO  CO  CO  m"  M* 


111.a.a.a****  I  i  g  g  g  g  i  I*****.! 

OOOS^SSSS  "ftp,"  5  -S  -S  HH  sssSil 


•S-B-S 


•  /?  £.  &  ^  13  ^  ^    5"  ^ii  -2  S  £    «    <*  13  T3T3    w, 
000°°°   5>^^^l-iH-lcOCOGOCO^I-5    £•;?£»  £>° 


^000 

P^  l-S  "-3  t-» 


4)     <D     Qj     O     O     flJ       • 

I  a  a  a  f  a « 

M  ^  ^  1-9  »-»  H>  . i£ 

c«  eg  c8  <*5  <#  <45  H 

O    <D    Q>    <U'  0>    01  J? 

3  3  3  3  3  3  o 

fcD  SD  bO  M6C6U    . 
co    co   co    co   co    co  q 

p<  &,  p,  Bh  p<  a*  . 

CO  CO  CO  CO  CO  CO  M 


"3  "co  "co 
a  •£}  a   co 


^  ^  53.3.3.3  g  g  g  g  j  j  g  g  g  g  J  J  g  g  g  g.2 
ddd^^^^^^S^^coco^^^^^S^^o 


co  +3  -43  +3 
rt  3  3  P 
hOOO 


^000 


11 
fig 


•  o    • 

"c0,d'60 

Ma  ^S 

125*3 


ag. 


11awg||K8 


ill, 


WCOCOMCOCOaP5cOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOC072CCy2a2COCOCO^P5WWMCOCOCOCQ 


^  .S^i-*  .S'.S*"^ ' 


a,  o,  ft  &.  Oh  , 

a  a  a  a  a  ^ 


tDNCOOOHNM-^USONCOO) 
NNNCNMCOCCMKinnnWK) 


>*  -*  -*  ■*  ■* 

•^   ^   Tj<    ■*   ■* 


REGISTER    OF    VESSELS    BUILT    IN    MEDFORD. 


379 


nOOONffiNOMON 


t~-0-H05^0(MOC<I0500 
-    OOOOOOONNffilO 
OOIM 


O  CO  CO  t--  < 


2o8ogoc|ooS3  8SS3'?ooSSoSfiSoS§ooooo8ooo 

C^r"^"^     *J   "cr    r«    BjSBtBffllBSlD^     ^    V    "^    V    "^    "^    ^~'     P    *->    -^    -*-1     ;-'-*-j-4-»-*-j-m+->-«-,-*-*+-»-4-» 

rtdocr3dd^3dddco6odrtbdd6ooS6cos!ooooooooo 


3  s 


g-e  gH  a  2  a 
.5  M  c  S  M  " 

g    •  .3  g  JS 


'  O 


I  _s  b  b  fe  7s 


SP*  a  lc 


I^MW^lS^HQ^ 


.   C"   S   S   »     .   «>  ^ 


,pq 


.so 


nS^S^HjHipuM^pi^^d^^^^W^Hi^w^w^^^^S^pg^^ 


o  ° 

c 


a)  o   g  "^3  ^  ' 


HHHHHEhHHHOOO 


'ooooSooo  " 

•££;;££■££«:  • 

•  Ti  T3  T3  T3  n3  t3  t3  T3  ■ 

goooooooo  . 


ll-sl-st-jt-jl-sl-jl-sl-s 


PmPh  mai\ 


CO     CO     00     CO 

XI  -3  -3  '-3 

_  3  3  3  Z  5  o^PHb00^^ 

t!'C'BT3'3'3'a'SS«l3     .     .     .     . 


OP 


<%  &  <%  <%  <%  <#  a  e»  «a  b 

cvcoocueuocjocujr 
3332;333330 
60  60  CD  60  60  SO  60  bC  60    . 

22  2  22  22220 

OQaQaQGGCQCGCQOQCOfa 


CO     CO     CO     CO 


=  '3 

oo 

do 


S  .2.2  «s  eS  g 

.  s  3  ^  =/ s 
0,00^02 
hi  Ph  Ph  co  cc  H,* 


sssa 

3   0    3    13 

o  o  o  o 


3€fl 


.     3  3  3  3  3  „ 
o  o  o  o  o  o  o 


■5 


60  60  60  60  60  60  60  60  60  60  K  -X^u  OOOO 

csc3cscscscScscScscSc5£r'p 


►.:§ :  ■ 
g  :g    : 

i  .p  . : 

J 'S  £  *s  -3 


H  oj  am  3 


iiii 


cs  "a 


11  &°6  £d  g  d 

_  "  t*'  ^<  o  S  3  <5<3 


fc«S£w^sz;df£o^M<js6<lrtocSo«wwoh§oc5^oog«aol^<S 


.*•*  aa& 


j  -g  .g-.grS  .S^  d  .S4.S'.£H.2<.S<.&,.pH.ft  3* 

;    8  "fl  "3    CS  '3    ri  T1  "rl  '3  '3  '3  *3  *3  '3  '3    H 


i-l  CM 


380 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


OdOlOCOOOOOOr-HOOOOOOOOOOOt^COOOOOOiOOO 

<o-*<ooTf<oooooo<nr-- 

O  O  O  CI  ' 


t^OCI-*llOOOO<M 


o  >o  o  >o  >o  >o  o  >o  ' 


a  a  a  a  ci'o  a  a  a  a  a 

-  pop  ogooooo 


3  a  O  a  a  a  a 

ooo.ooooooopooo, 

co    <»    *    K    ■«    to    <n    to    «    x>    to    to    to    x    x    x    x    x    x    -h    x    x    to    to    to 

ooo^ooooooooooooooorfooooo 


8.S  S 
wow 


o 

<*d 

£o8 


c*i# 


*  *■ 


ss-i^as- 


,HH 


2  ..  „  am  c-h 


^oj^fiaaygaj 
be--  O  O  3  £  w  s  ^  ( 


"BS^go 

O  <2rqW-l  £     •fc-fca. 

r^-E^la^l 


ID'S 


^^-g^a^^a^^^^a^a 

ooooooSoooo 

£*&££>:;:■£:;?:£ 

•     .     ■     •     •     •     •     •     •     *     •pprCrprT3rOrd'^3't^'T3rCn3     •     •     *     •     •     • 

ncnntH^tflmto  OOOOOOOOOOO        §  «  to  to  w 

££££££006  •§,.§  gggg'gggggggSfioooo 

cj£'0'C'a'0'O'eT3'i3'3T3'd3, ra 


S2£ 
8  S  8 
PhPhPm 


CO     CO 


'"  8  8  8  8  ?  S  3 


"a  "a  "a ' 

a  a  3 

o  o  o  o 


a  a  a  a  a  .ai  -a  +3  \c  vs  «  a  S  5  8 
3  3  3  3  3  ^  E  U  ti  ti  t2  a  *>  -is  *j 

O0000033339_g88o 
^^S6^PHOOO|4|g)MM.W)MMMW)g)MW)|OaOOb'aS^(SH 


~*  fulfil3 


ei  ^  ;>  T5    =2    O 


•  &  g  a  «  •  •  • 
a  *  &*  &  a  .  . 

o§aHHH^|^a 

o   >•   «  fl   C  *C ■   •£   2  t* 


&,  P<  P^    p<p<p<PiP,pHP,piP<alP-.P<P<P<  P^    P<  P--g     i     P<  P<  d    p<  p,  p,  p<  P, 

a2cca2Wa2a}c»t/2a3coc»coaja2ajc/2c»a5tZ2W^a2WWcoc/2a!ajoooccC(» 


^  CO  00  00  ( 

"         I       Tjl    TH    Tjt    ■ 


""    ""iC0C000OO0)©0)0!0>01 


OHtMeo^iotoNcoaoHcNin 

OOOOOOOOOO^-lr-i-^i-t 


FISHERIES.  381 


FISHERIES. 

To  Medford  belongs  the  honor  of  establishing  the  first 
fisheries  in  "London's  Plantation  of  Massachusetts  Bay." 
Careful  and  costly  preparations  for  this  business  were  made 
in  England,  in  1629,  by  Mr.  Cradock,  who  believed  it  the 
most  promising  investment  then  offered  from  the  New 
World.  In  the  company's  "  first  general  letter,"  under  date 
of  April  17,  1629,  is  indicated  a  course  of  trade  which  was  to 
be  pursued  by  the  Medford  fishermen.     It  is  thus  :  — 

"  We  have  sent  five  weigh  of  salt  in  the  '  Whelpe,'  and  ten  weigh 
in  the  '  Talbot.'  If  there  be  shallops  to  be  had  to  fish  withal,  and 
the  season  of  the  year  fit,  pray  let  the  fishermen  (of  which  we  send 
six  from  Dorchester),  together  with  some  of  the  ship's  company, 
endeavor  to  take  fish ;  and  let  it  be  well  saved  with  the  said  salt,  and 
packed  up  in  hogsheads ;  and  send  it  home  by  the  '  Talbot '  or 
'  Lion's  Whelpe.' " 

At  the  same  time  they  send  "  a  seine,  being  a  net  to  fish 
with."     May  28,  1629,  they  say,  — 

"  We  send  salt,  lines,  hooks,  knives,  boots,  &c,  for  the  fishermen, 
desiring  our  men  may  be  employed  in  harbor,  or  upon  the  Bank. 
If  you  send  ships  to  fish  on  the  Bank,  and  expect  them  not  to  return 
again  to  the  plantation,  &c." 

By  this  it  appears  that  those  vessels  which  had  caught  a 
cargo  of  fish  "  on  the  Bank  "  were  expected  to  take  them 
thence  to  London.  Sept.  3,  1635,  the  General  Court  chose 
a  committee  of  six  "  for  setting  forward  and  managing  a  fish- 
ing trade."  That  fishing  was  profitable,  we  have  the  follow- 
ing early  record:  "Thirty -five  ships  sailed  this  year  (1622) 
from  the  west  of  England,  and  two  from  London,. to  fish  on 
the  New  England  coasts ;  and  made  profitable  voyages." 
Through  the  instrumentality  of  our  fishing  interest,  the  Gene- 
ral Court  passed  the  following  order.  May  22,  1639 :  "  For 
further  encouragement  of  men  to  set  upon  fishing,  it  is  or- 
dered, that  such  ships  and  vessels  and  other  stock  as  shall  be 
properly  employed  and  adventured  in  taking,  making,  and 
transporting  of  fish  according  to  the  course  of  fishing  voy- 
ages, and  the  fish  itself,  shall  be  exempt,  for  seven  years 
from  henceforth,  from  all  country  charges."  To  show  how 
minute  was  the  fostering  care  of  our  fathers  on  this  point,  we 
have  the  following  order  of  June  2,  1641:  "It  is  ordered 


30 %  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

that  fishermen  shall  have  their  fish  for  bait  at  the  same  rate 
that  others  have  at  the  wears,  and  be  first  served."  "  The 
property  of  Governor  Cradock,  invested  at  Medford  for  fish- 
ing and  other  purposes,"  was  large.  Mr.  Savage  says,  "  He 
maintained  a  small  plantation  for  fishing  at  Mistick,  in  the 
present  bounds  of  Maiden,  opposite  to  Winthrop's  farm,  at 
Ten  Hills."  Complaint  was  made  by  our  fishermen  of  a  law, 
passed  by  Plymouth  Colony,  which  laid  a  tax  of  five  shillings 
on  "  every  share  of  fish  "  caught  by  strangers  "  at  the  Cape." 
From  all  that  we  can  gather,  we  conclude  that  Mr.  Cradock 
had  invested  as  much  as  fifteen  thousand  dollars,  which  in 
various  trade  here  must  have  made  Medford  a  thriving  and 
populous  plantation  for  an  infant  settlement.  The  fishing 
business  continued  for  fifteen  or  twenty  years,  but  with  less 
and  less  profit  to  Mr.  Cradock.  It  was  finally  abandoned  as 
a  failure ;  and  afterwards  the  river-fishing  alone  claimed 
attention. 

May,  1639 :  The  price  of  alewives  in  Medford,  at  this  time, 
was  five  shillings  per  thousand.  This  made  food  incredibly 
cheap. 

That  Mystic  River,  as  a  resort  for  fish,  was  early  known 
and  greatly  valued,  appears  from  many  testimonies.  In 
Josselyn's  account  of  his  two  voyages  to  New  England  (1638) 
we  have  the  following  record :  "  The  river  Mistick  runs 
through  the  right  side  of  the  town  (Charlestown),  and,  by  its 
near  approach  to  Charles  River  in  one  place,  makes  a  very 
narrow  neck,  where  stands  most  part  of  the  town.  The  mar- 
ket-place, not  far  from  the  water-side,  is  surrounded  with 
houses."  In  Mystic  River  were  "bass,  shad,  alewives, 
frost-fish,  and  smelts."  Josselyn  says,  "We  will  return  to 
Charlestown  again,  where  the  river  Mistick  runs  on  the  north 
side  of  the  town  (that  is,  the  right  side,  as  before  said),  where, 
on  the  north-west  side,  is  the  town  of  Mistick,  three  miles 
from  Charlestown,  a  league  and  a  half  by  water,  —  a  scattered 
village.  At  the  head  of  this  river  are  great  and  spacious 
ponds,  full  of  alewives  in  the  spring-time ;  the  notedest  place 
for  this  sort  of  fish."  This  quotation  from  Josselyn,  while  it 
goes  to  prove  that  bass,  shad,  and  alewives  were  no  strangers 
in  our  rivers,  shows  likewise  that  the  population  of  our  town 
was  then  settled  chiefly  between  the  two  brick  houses  now 
standing,  and  that  the  place  was  called  Mistick.  The 
"  Wear  "  or  Fishing  Dam  in  Medford  was  at  the  outlet  of  the 
Pond  ;  and,  as  our  river  was  "  the  notedest  place  "  for  fish  in 


FISHERIES.  383 

the  early  days  of  our  plantation,  we  presume  that  the  "  seine, 
being  a  net  sent  to  fish  with,"  was  the  first  seine  ever  drawn 
in  its  waters,  and  'the  first  drawn  on  this  continent.  This 
was  probably  in  1631 ;  and  the  first  draught  was  doubtless  an 
event  of  liveliest  interest,  of  raw  wonder,  and  exceeding  joy. 
If  any  web  or  filament  of  that  pioneer  "  seine "  had  come 
down  to  us,  it  would  be  fitting  for  the  town,  in  the  year 
1881,  to  parade  it  as  the  banner,  and  under  it  to  unite  in 
celebrating  the  fifth  fishermen's  jubilee  on  the  river.  June 
6,  1639  :  "  It  is  ordered  that  all  wears  shall  be  set  open  from 
the  last  day  of  the  week,  at  noon,  till  the  second  day  in  the 
morning." 

Johnson,  in  his  ""Wonder-working  Providence,"  says, 
"  The  Lord  is  pleased  to  provide  for  them  great  store  of  fish 
in  the  spring-time,  and  especially  alewives,  about  the  bigness 
of  a  herring.  Many  thousands  of  these  they  use  to  put 
under  their  Indian  corn." 

Had  Mr.  Cradock's  letters  to  his  agents  in  Medford  been 
preserved,  we  should  certainly  have  in  them  a  complete  his- 
tory of  the  fishing  establishment  he  maintained  here,  and 
probably  a  comparative  estimate  of  sea  and  river  fishing. 
The  introduction  of  the  drag-net,  in  1631,  when  Mystic 
River  was  full  of  fish,  was  an  example  that  would  be  followed 
more  and  more,  as  proper  seines  could  be  knit  and  easy  mar- 
kets secured.  The  narrowness  of  the  river,  the  steepness  of  its 
banks,  its  freedom  from  rocks,  and  its  many  convenient  land- 
ing-places, rendered  net-fishing  easy  and  cheap.  It  settled 
down  into  a  regular  business,  and  any  one  had  a  right  to 
pursue  it.  We  have  no  account  of  the  intermittent  run  of 
certain  fish,  as  witnesssd  in  our  time ;  but  presume  it  may 
not  have  been  so  remarkable  then,  when  dams  and  water- 
wheels  had  not  impeded  or  frightened  the  finny  adventurers, 
or  when  filth  and  poisons  had  not  made  their  highways  dan- 
gerous. We  think  it  will  be  found  that  several  species  of 
fish  will  have  periodic  returns  to  places  which  they  have  left 
for  many  years. 

Acts  of  legislation  have  not  been  wanting  by  our  town  or 
State ;  but  the  fish  care  nothing  about  votes.  The  first  men- 
tion of  specific  action  by  the  town,  as  such,  is  dated  Jan. 
18,  1768,  when  it  was  voted  "  to  petition  the  General  Court 
concerning  the  fishery  in  this  town." 

March  3,  1768  :  Mr.  Benjamin  Hall  and  others  petition 
the  General  Court  "for  liberty  to  draw  with  seines,  at  two 


384  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

different  places  in  Mistick  River,  three  days  in  a  week."    This 
petition  was  not  acted  upon  for  some  years. 

The  next  act  of  the  General  Court,  touching  this  prolific 
trade  in  Medford,  was  in  Feb.  16,  1789,  and  was  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

"  An  act  to  prevent  the  destruction  of  fish  called  shad  and  ale- 
wives  in  Mystic  River,  so  called,  within  the  towns  of  Cambridge, 
Chai-lestown,  and  Medford,  and  for  repealing  all  laws  heretofore 
made  for  that  purpose. 

"  Whereas  the  fishery  in  Mystic  River,  in  the  county  of  Middle- 
sex, if  properly  regulated,  will  be  of  great  public  utility,  as  it  serves 
to  promote  the  cod-fishery,  and  is  also  of  advantage  to  the  particu- 
lar towns  through  which  the  river  runs,  affording,  in  some  measure, 
subsistence  and  support  to  the  inhabitants  thereof,  and  is  therefore 
necessary  to  be  preserved,"  &c. 

The  act  provides  that  each  of  the  three  towns  is  empowered 
to  choose  a  committee  for  the  preservation  of  fish,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  keep  out  of  the  river  all  obstructions  to  the 
free  ingress  of  the  fish.  The  act  grants  to  Cambridge  the 
right  to  fish,  within  the  limits  of  that  town,  on  Monday, 
Tuesday,  and  Friday ;  and  to  Charlestown  and  Medford  the 
right  of  fishing,  within  the  limits  of  those  towns,  on  Monday, 
Wednesday,  and  Friday,  —  from  the  first  of  March  to  the 
last  day  of  June.  Penalty  for  each  violation  of  the  law, 
three  pounds.  In  this  act,  the  right  of  each  inhabitant  to 
fish  is  recognized  and  secured.  If  persons  from  other  towns 
should  either  stop  or  catch  fish  in  this  river,  they  shall  each  be 
fined  three  pounds  for  every  such  offence  ;  and  the  committee 
shall  have  power  to  arrest  them,  and  sell  their  seines,  drag- 
nets, marsh-nets,  baskets,  or  any  other  implements  used  by 
them.     "  This  act  to  be  in  use  five  years,  and  no  longer." 

Immediately  on  the  passage  of  this  act,  the  town  pro- 
ceeded, April  2,  1798,  to  a  new  step,  indicated  in  the  follow- 
ing vote :  "  Voted  that  the  town  will  let  out  their  fishing- 
grounds  to  the  highest  bidder  the  present  year."  "While  this 
vote  was  based  upon  the  original  right  of  the  town  to 
the  fisheries  within  its  borders,  some  minor  questions  arose, 
which  led  the  inhabitants,  at  the  same  meeting,  to  choose  a 
committee  to  inquire  into  the  rights  of  the  town  to  the  fish- 
ing-grounds. The  result  was,  that,  Jan.  21,  1803,  the  town 
"  voted  that  a  petition  be  presented  to  the  General  Court,  at 
their  present  session,  to  enable  the  town  to  let  out  the  right 
of  taking  fish  in  Mystic  River,  within  the  limits  of  the  town." 


FISHERIES.  385 

The  Legislature  granted  the  petition;  and  Medford  then 
divided  the  fishing  districts  thus  :  "  First,  from  Charlestown 
and  Maiden  line  to  Medford  Bridge ;  second,  from  the 
bridge  to  the  beach  opposite  James  Tufts's  barn;  third, 
from  the  above-named  beach  to  the  Charlestown  line  west- 
erly." 

Among  the  earliest  fishermen  were  John  Cutter,  Jonathan 
Tufts,  and  Benjamin  Teel.  In  1803,  Cutter  paid  sixty-five 
dollars,  Tufts  thirteen  dollars,  and  Teel  thirteen  dollars,  for 
the  right  of  fishing. 

John  Cutter  fished  near  the  "  Dike,"  or  "  Labor  in  Vain  ;  " 
Isaac  Tufts  fished  from  the  Bridge  to  Rock  Hill ;  and  Captain 
Samuel  Teel  and  his  nephew,  from  Rock  Hill  to  the  Pond. 
The  names  of  the  fishermen  are  seldom  given  in  the  records. 
Charles,  Simon,  and  Seth  Tufts  are  there.  In  1812,  the 
fishermen  paid  one  hundred  dollars  for  the  right.  The  ave- 
rage, for  twenty  years,  has  been  two  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars. 

In  accordance  with  the  decision  of  the  Legislature,  the 
town  voted,  March  14,  1803,  to  sell  their  right  of  fishing  in 
Mystic  River.  It  was  sold  for  ninety-one  dollars,  at  public 
auction.  The  next  year  it  was  sold,  in  the  same  manner,  for 
one  hundred  and  six  dollars  :  and  this  equitable  mode  of 
disposing  of  it  became  established ;  and  the  premium  offered 
continued  for  several  years  to  increase. 

The  vote  of  the  town  was  generally  thus,  as  in  March  1, 
1824  :  "  Voted  that  the  selectmen  be  appointed  a  committee 
to  dispose  of  the  privilege  of  taking  shad  and  alewives  within 
the  limits  of  said  town  the  ensuing  season."  In  1855, 
Joseph  L.  Wheeler  bought  the  "  upper  reach,"  from  Marble 
Brook  to  the  Pond,  for  $27.50  per  annum ;  and  James 
Rogers  bought  the  "  lower  reach,"  from  Marble  Brook  to  the 
eastern  border  of  the  town,  for  $122.50  per  annum.  The 
annual  sales  have  lately  been  less  than  $200. 

The  shad  and  alewives  were  abundant  till  1815  or  1820, 
when  they  began  gradually  to  withhold  their  visits.  A 
writer  says,  that,  about  the  year  1800,  it  was  common  to 
take  fifteen  hundred  shad  annually  at  "  Little  River  "  (near 
Fresh  Pond);  but  that,  in  1852,  there  was  not  one  taken; 
and  that,  proportionally,  a  similar  statement  might  be  made 
concerning  alewives. 

Nothing  can  frighten  alewives ;  but  the  shad  is  an  exceed- 
ingly shy  and  timid  fish.     Its  disappearance  from  our  river 
49 


386  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

is  therefore  attributed  to  the  terrific  noises  made  by  railroad 
cars,  as  they  cross  the  Mystic  at  Charlestown.  The  largest 
number  of  alewives  taken  by  one  draught  from  Mystic  River 
was  in  1844 ;  and  they  counted  some  few  more  than  fifty- 
eight  thousand !  We  once  saw  taken,  by  one  draught  from 
this  river,  shad  sufficient  to  fill  six  horse-carts.  In  Mystic 
River  the  bass  have  wholly  disappeared ;  though  there  are 
those  living  who  remember  to  have  seen  them  plenty,  and 
some  of  them  weighing  more  than  thirty  pounds. 

In  1776,  a  negro,  named  Prince,  was  at  work  on  the  bank 
of  the  river,  opposite  the  shallow  where  the  ford  was,  a  few 
rods  above  the  bridge,  when  he  saw  an  enormous  bass  swim- 
ming very  slowly  up  the  river.  The  tide  was  inconveniently 
low  for  the  bass,  but  conveniently  low  for  the  negro.  Plunge 
went  Prince  for  the  fish,  and  caught  him !  No  sooner  was 
he  out  of  water  than  a  desperate  spring,  such  as  fishes  can 
give,  released  him  from  his  captor  ;  and  back  he  falls  into  his 
native  element.  Quick  as  a  steel-trap,  Prince  springs  upon 
him  again,  and  again  clutches  him  and  lifts  him  up.  The 
fish  struggles  ;  and  Prince  and  fish  fall  together.  Again 
Prince  rises,  with  his  prize  in  his  arms,  and  then  brings  him 
ashore.  It  weighed  sixty-five  pounds.  Prince  thought  that 
such  a  wonderful  fish  should  be  presented  to  the  commander 
of  the  American  forces  then  stationed  on  "Winter  Hill.  His 
master  thought  so  too.  Accordingly,  Prince  dressed  himself 
in  his  best  clothes,  and,  taking  the  fish  in  a  cart,  presented 
it  to  the  commander,  and  told  the  history  of  its  capture ; 
and  the  commander  gave  him  six  cents ! 

The  shad,  of  late  years,  have  not  been  abundant ;  only 
forty  or  fifty  taken  during  a  season.  The  number  of  alewives 
has  also  greatly  diminished  ;  and  the  town  receives  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  by  selling  its  right  of  fishing  through 
the  year.  Smelts  continue  to  make  their  annual  spring  visit 
in  undiminished  numbers ;  and  when,  for  noblest  ends,  they 
stealthily  enter  our  creeks  and  little  streams,  they  are  watched 
by  the  hungry  boys,  who,  for  sport  or  profit,  drive  them  into 
their  scoop-nets  by  dozens.  In  this  town,  they  do  not  let 
enough  escape  to  keep  the  race  alive ;  and  if,  in  all  other 
towns,  they  were  so  destroyed,  this  beautiful  and  delicious 
fish  would  become  extinct  among  us.  The  greatest  draught 
—  by  a  certain  nameless  boy,  fifty  years  ago  —  numbered 
sixty-three.  They  were  taken  from  Marble,  or  Meeting- 
house, Brook. 


FISHERIES.  387 

In  Mystic  Pond,  there  are  few  fish  at  present.  The  fresh- 
water perch,  which  appear  in  the  sun  like  a  fragment  of  a 
rainbow  shooting  through  the  water,  are  the  most  numerous. 
The  bream  are  not  uncommon  ;  but  their  size  is  very  small. 
The  tomcod  come  to  winter  there,  and  are  easily  taken  thus : 
Some  ten  or  twelve  of  them  gather  about  a  small  stone,  very 
near  the  shore,  and  each  makes  its  nose  to  touch  the  stone. 
The  fisherman  sees  this  unfrightened  family  circle  quietly 
reposing ;  and  he  suddenly  and  strongly  strikes  the  ice  with 
an  axe,  directly  over  the  unsuspecting  group.  The  blow  stuns 
the  fish ;  and  he  quickly  cuts  a  hole,  and  takes  them  all  out ! 
Of  minnows  there  are  scarcely  any,  owing  to  the  presence  of 
that  fresh-water  shark,  the  pickerel.  Eels  are  taken  in  win- 
ter by  means  of  forked  irons,  thrust  into  the  mud  through 
holes  in  the  ice ;  and  smelts  are  taken  at  the  same  time,  in 
the  river  near  Charlestown,  by  means  of  the  common  hook. 

Oyster-fishing  is  another  branch  of  trade  carried  on  from 
Mystic  River.  In  the  early  settlement  of  our  town,  oysters 
were  extensively  used  as  food,  and  they  were  easily  taken. 
They  so  far  abounded  in  that  part  of  the  river  which  is  now 
between  our  turnpike  river-wall  and  Maiden  Bridge  that 
they  obstructed  navigation.  Mr.  Wood,  speaking,  in  1633, 
of  these  hinderances,  has  these  words :  "  Ships,  without  either 
ballast  or  lading,  may  float  down  this  (Mystic)  river;  other- 
wise, the  oyster-bank  would  hinder  them,  which  crosseth  the 
channel."  This  oyster-bank  is  one  of  tfiose  unfortunate 
institutions  whose  fate  it  has  been  to  be  often  "  run  upon," 
and  on  which  the  "  draughts  "  have  been  so  much  greater  than 
the.  "  deposits  "  that  it  long  ago  became  bankrupt ;  yet,  like 
an  honest  tradesman,  it  has  never  despaired ;  and,  within  our 
memory,  has  made  some  good  tat  dividends.  In  1770,  the 
sludge  from  the  distilleries  ^as  supposed  to  have  poisoned 
these  shell-fish. 

Lobsters  have  not  frequented  our  river  in  great  numbers  ; 
but,  in  1854,  they  came  up  in  large  companies  as  far  as 
Chelsea  Bridge ;  and.  in  the  warm  month  of  October,  more  than 
two  thousand,  of  prime  quality,  were  taken  from  that  bridge  ! 

The  names  of  all  the  fishermen  in  Medford  cannot  be 
recovered ;  but,  among  them,  there  have  been  men  of  that 
great  energy  which  secures  success. 

The  fish  found  their  market  chiefly  in  Boston ;  and  were 
sometimes  cured,  and  sent  in  barrels  to  the  Southern  States, 
as  food  for  slaves,  or  to  the  West  Indies  for  common  con- 


388  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

sumption.  Many  were  smoked,  after  the  manner  of  herring, 
and  eaten  in  New  England ;  many  more  were  used  as  bait 
for  cod-fishing  on  the  Banks.  Alewives,  in  early  times, 
were  sometimes  used  as  manure ;  and  shad  were  salted  in 
tubs,  and  eaten  in  the  winter. 

The  income  from  these  fisheries  may  not  have  been  very 
large,  unless  we  count  the  support  which  fish  furnished  as 
food ;  and,  in  such  case,  we  apprehend  the  income  was 
great  indeed.  They  gave  a  needed  and  most  welcome  variety 
in  that  brief  list  of  eatables  with  which  our  fathers  were  wont 
to  be  contented. 

In  1829,  by  the  enterprise  of  Mr.  John  Bishop,  the  busi- 
ness of  mackerel-fishing  was  attempted.  Some  of  the  finest 
schooners  from  the  fleets  of  Hingham  were  purchased,  and 
fitted  out  in  amplest  order.  Three  schooners  were  built  in 
Medford  for  this  service.  But,  before  two  years  had  elapsed, 
it  was  found  impossible  to  compete  with  Plymouth,  Hing- 
ham, Gloucester,  and  Boston.  In  these  places,  barrels  and 
salt  were  cheaper  than  at  Medford,  and  the  common  market 
more  accessible,  especially  in  winter. 


MEDFORD    CRACKERS. 

He  who  introduces  a  better  kind  of  bread  than  was  ever 
known  before  is  entitled  to  honor  for  his  ingenuity,  and  to 
gratitude  for  his  beneficence.  The  individual  richly  deserv- 
ing both  these  is  Coders  Francis,  Esq.,  the  first  manufac- 
turer of  the  Medford  crackers.  Mr.  Francis  served  .his 
apprenticeship  to  the  baking  business  with  Captain  Ebenezer 
Hall,  in  Medford.  After  acting  as  his  foreman  for  some 
years,  he  set  up  for  himself  in  West  Cambridge  (then  called 
Menotomy),  where  he  remained  two  years,  when  Captain 
Hall  came  to  him,  and  proposed  to  Mm  to  return  to  Medford, 
and  take  his  bakehouse  and  business,  and  carry  it  on  for  him- 
self. This  he  agreed  to  do.  Thus  Mr.  Francis,  in  1797, 
found  himself  in  Medford,  doing  a  good  business  in  the  place 
of  his  master.  In  that  business  he  continued  till  1818,  with- 
out intermission,  and  accumulated  a  comfortable  property. 
He  early  gave  the  energies  of  an  active  mind  to  the  invention 
of  a  new  kind  of  cracker.  He  well  knew  that  the  quality  of 
the  flour  demanded  his  first  scrutiny  ;  and  so  skilful  had  he 
become  in   the   examination   of  that  article,   that  he   cared 


MEDFORD    CRACKERS.  389 

nothing  about  its  marks  or  popularity.  He  would  tell  the 
true  price  in  a  few  moments,  and  was  never  known  to  select 
a  bad  barrel.  In  the  manufacture  of  his  bread,  every  com- 
ponent part  was  personally  examined,  and  every  rule  most 
scrupulously  complied  Avith.  There  was  a  severe  exactness 
in  each  particular,  that  helped  greatly  in  securing  the  final 
success.  Mr.  Francis  produced  a  cracker  which  was  consi- 
dered as  more  tasteful  and  healthy  than  any  heretofore 
invented.  Every  year  increased  his  reputation,  and  widened 
his  business  j  and,  as  early  as  1805,  Medford  crackers  were 
known  through  the  country,  and  frequently  sent  to  foreign 
lands.  The  writer  of  this  was  walking  in  a  street  of  London 
in  1834,  and  saw,  at  a  shop- window,  the  following  sign : 
"Medford  crackers."  This  bread  deserved  all  the  fame  it 
acquired ;  for  never  had  there  been  any  so  good,  and  we 
think  there  is  now  none  better.  It  required  great  labor  ;  and 
all  the  work  was  done  by  hand.  Each  cracker  was  nearly 
double  the  size  of  those  now  made ;  and  the  dough  was 
kneaded,  rolled,  weighed,  pricked,  marked,  and  tossed  into 
the  oven,  by  hand.  Now  all  these  are  done  by  machinery. 
The  labor  of  making  a  barrel  of  flour  into  crackers  cost  then 
nine  dollars,  and  now  about  three  dollars.  This  bread  was 
called  crackers,  because  one  of  them  would  crack  into  two 
equal  parts.  One  piece  of  dough  was  rolled  out  just  thick 
enough  to  enable  it  to  swell  up  with  the  internal  steam  gene- 
rated by  baking  on  the  hot  brick-floor  of  the  oven ;  and  holes 
enough  were  pricked  into  the  dough  to  allow  a  part  of  the 
steam  to  escape,  and  so  leave  the  mass  split  into  two  equal 
parts,  adhering  mostly  by  the  edges. 

The  deleterious  mixtures  called  bread,  which  we  now  often 
use,  are  the  cause,  we  apprehend,  of  some  of  our  chronic 
diseases.  If  the  General  Court  would  legislate  properly  on 
the  great  and  vital  subject  of  bread,  a  good  inconceivably 
great  and  durable  would  result  to  society.  If  some  bakers, 
without  designing  it,  are  administering  mineral  or  vegetable 
poisons  by  their  bread,  cake,  and  pastry,  what  pleasing  reflec- 
tions must  now  belong  to  Mr.  Francis,  in  his  old  age,  as  he 
counts  up  the  years  in  which  he  fed  thousands  daily  with 
bread  wholly  nutritive,  and  always  palatable  ! 


390  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


DISTILLATION.  4 

This  was  a  branch  of  trade  held  in  high  repute  by  our 
ancestors,  and  some  of  the  most  intelligent  and  pious  of  our 
Medford  citizens  engaged  in  it ;  but  none  grew  rich  from  it. 
It  was  not  uncommon,  in  the  first  century  of  our  settlement, 
for  private  families  to  have  a  "  still,"  by  which  they  supplied 
themselves  with  alcoholic  liquors  ;  and  not  to  offer  a  visitor 
"  something  to  drink  "  was  a  flagrant  breach  of  hospitality. 
It  may  have  been  during  one  of  Rev.  Dr.  Byles's  many  visits 
in  Medford  that  the  following  dialogue  occurred.  The  lady 
at  whose  house  he  was  calling  asked  him  to  step  into  her 
kitchen,  and  see  her  new  still;  and,  having  assured  him  of 
its  extraordinary  powers,  the  doctor  replied,  "  Well,  madam, 
if  it  be  so  remarkable,  I  wish  you  would  do  a  job  for  me  with 
it."  "With  all  my  heart,  sir:  what  shall  I  do  for  you?" 
"  Why,  still  my  wife's  tongue." 

When  the  first  distillery  was  built  in  Medford,  cannot  be 
ascertained  with  precision ;  but  the  evidence  is  mostly  in  favor 
of  Andrew  Hall  ( 1735).  The  spot  he  selected  is  that  which 
Mr.  Lawrence  now  occupies ;  and  the  building  was  of  wood. 
This  spot  was  chosen  chiefly  for  the  reason  that  a  most 
copious  spring  of  peculiarly  good  water  issues  from  the  earth 
at  that  place.  The  great  reputation  obtained  by  the  Medford 
rum  is  owing  to  the  singular  properties  of  this  spring. 
Other  distillers,  therefore,  in  different  parts  of  New  England, 
put  the  name  of  Medford  on  their  barrels.  He  died  just  as 
his  eldest  son,  Benjamin,  had  reached  his  majority.  This 
son  stepped  into  his  father's  place,  and  carried  on  the  busi- 
ness. 

There  is  a  tradition  that  a  man  named  Blanchard,  who  had 
connections  in  Maiden,  was  the  first  who  set  up  a  distillery 
in  Medford.  It  was  upon  the  south  side  of  the  river,  on  the 
first  lot  east  of  the  bridge.  It  was  afterwards  used  by  Heze- 
kiah  Blanchard,  the  inn-holder,  who  distilled  anise-seed, 
snake-root,  clove-water,  &c.  These  drinks  were  afterwards 
produced  in  large  quantities  in  Medford.  In  1777,  Medford 
rum  sold  at  3s.  IQd.  a  gallon,  by  the  barrel ;  4s.  6d.  by  the 
single  gallon. 

After  the  Maiden  distiller  had  invested  his  little  all  in 
molasses,  and  occupied  every  vat,  and  was  beginning  to 
prosper,  there  rose  a  tide  so  high  as  to  overflow  all  his  vats 


DISTILLATION.  391 

with  salt  water.  This  catastrophe  ruined  him  as  entirely  as 
it  did  his  rum.  With  much  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  courage,  he 
kept  his  spirits  up,  and  looked  to  his  Maiden  friends 
to  aid  him.  They  consented  to  do  so ;  and  Captain  John 
Dexter,  Captain  Harnden,  and  Mr.  John  Bucknam,  joined  him 
in  building  the  second  distillery,  which,  in  our  day,  is  con- 
verted partly  into  a  store,  and  partly  into  a  shelter  for  the 
locomotive  of  the  Medford  Branch  Railroad.  After  this 
time,  Mr.  John  Bishop  built  a  distillery  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  road,  in  Ship  Street,  nearer  to  the  river ;  and  Mr. 
Benjamin  Hall,  in  1797,  took  down  the  one  which  his  father 
had  built  of  wood,  and  replaced  it  with  the  one  of  brick 
which  is  now  used.  This  enlargement  of  the  business, 
together  with  the  high  reputation  justly  acquired  by  the 
manufacturers  in  Medford,  gave  employment  to  many  men 
in  many  ways. 

The  business  has  been  carried  on  by  Messrs.  Andrew  Hall, 
Benjamin  Hall,  John  Bishop,  Nathaniel  Hall,  Fitch  Tufts, 
Joseph  Swan,  Hall  and  Manning,  and  Joseph  Hall.  It  is  now 
prosecuted  only  by  Mr.  Daniel  Lawrence.  It  was  never  a 
profitable  branch  of  trade ;  and,  till  1830,  it  ruined  many 
persons  who  entered  it.  Since  the  "  temperance  reforma- 
tion," it  has  yielded  great  profits  to  the  few  who  pursue  it. 

The  business  demanded  a  larger  investment  of  capital  than 
any  other  manufacturing  interest  within  the  town.  Agents 
were  employed  to  purchase  molasses  in  the  West  Indies ; 
and  schooners  of  the  largest  tonnage  were  often  seen  unlading 
at  wharves  on  the  borders  of  which  the  distilleries  stood. 

Soon  after  1830,  all  the  distilleries  but  one  were  discon- 
tinued, and  three  of  the  buildings  were  demolished.  In 
1849,  the  efforts  of  temperance  societies  had  so  far  influenced 
public  opinion  and  the  general  habits  as  to  diminish  the  use 
of  rum  to  an  extent  almost  fatal  to  the  manufacturers  of  it. 
But  about  that  time  commenced  an  active  demand  for  alcohol, 
as  a  component  part  of  the  "  burning  fluid  "  now  so  generally 
used ;  and  this  demand  rather  increases.  The  present  war 
in  Europe  has  greatly  augmented  the  consumption  of  rum ; 
and  so  brisk  is  the  demand,  that  now,  for  the  first  time  within 
thirty  years,  new  distilleries  are  being  established,  not  only 
in  the  United  States,  but  in  Cuba  and  other  West  India 
islands. 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


LIGHTERING. 


This  name  was  applied  to  a  freighting  business,  carried  on 
extensively  through  Mystic  River,  between  Medford  and 
Boston.  The  craft  generally  used  were  sloops  ranging  from 
fifty  to  one  hundred  tons'  burden.  They  were  introduced 
for  the  transportation  of  bricks,  and  afforded  the  only  mode 
of  transfer  before  Charlestown  Bridge  was  built.  Mystic 
River,  to  our  fathers,  was  bridge,  turnpike,  and  railroad. 
When  adventurers  settle  in  a  forest,  it  is  the  first  wisdom  to 
fix  themselves  near  a  river ;  because  a  river  is  an  easy  high- 
way, always  kept  in  good  repair,  and  free  from  all  taxation. 
The  business  of  lightering  employed  many  men ;  and  the  in- 
habitants at  first  used  these  sloops  as  passenger-packets  to 
Boston  and  Salem.  So  important  had  become  this  mode  of 
conveyance  for  bricks,  merchandise,  and  people,  that,  when  a 
petition  was  started  for  permission  to  build  Charlestown 
Bridge,  Medford  opposed  it  with  unanimity  and  zeal,  "  be- 
cause it  would  destroy  the  lightering  business."  The  result 
was  much  as  our  citizens  had  foretold  :  bricks  soon  began  to 
be  carried  by  oxen  in  carts  ;  thus  saving  both  the  loading  and 
unloading  in  the  sloop,  where  many  were  necessarily  broken. 

The  labor  of  lightering  was  very  hard;  for,  at  times,  it 
became  necessary  for  men  to  walk  on  the  banks,  and  thus  tow 
the  sloop  by  means  of  long  ropes.  This  toil  was  often  under- 
taken in  the  night,  and  during  stormy  weather.  "Wood  and 
bark  were  freighted  from  Maine,  and  rock  weed  from  Boston 
Harbor.  A  business  that  was  suspended  during  two  or  three 
months  of  each  year,  on  account  of  ice,  was  not  attractive 
to  those  who  wished  steady  employment,  and  was  not  likely 
therefore  to  secure  the  best  laborers. 


The  building  of  a  mill  required  more  iron  and  stone  work 
than  our  fathers  in  Medford  were  at  first  prepared  to  carry 
through  :  they  therefore  adopted  the  Indian's  mill ;  which 
was  a  rock  hollowed  out  in  the  shape  of  a  half-globe,  and  a 
stone  pestle.  The  mortar  held  half  a  bushel,  and  the  pestle 
weighed  forty  or  fifty  pounds.  A  small,  flexible  tree  was 
bent  down,  and  the  pestle  so  tied  to  its  top  as  to  keep  it  sus- 


MILLS.  393 

pended  immediately  over  the  mortar.  When  the  pestle  was 
set  in  motion,  the  elastic  spring  of  the  tree  would  continue 
its  blows  on  the  grain  for  a  minute  or  more. 

They  found  a  mill  driven  by  wind  cheaper  than  one  driven 
by  water :  nevertheless,  the  water-power  here  was  sufficient, 
and  so  convenient  that  it  soon  became  serviceable.  April  20, 
1659  :  Thomas  Broughton  sold  to  Edward  Collins,  for  six 
hundred  and  fifty  pounds,  "  his  two  water-mills,  which  he 
built  in  Mistick  River."  They  were  then  occupied  by 
Thomas  Eames. 

There  was  a  mill  a  short  distance  below  the  Wear  Bridge ; 
but  who  built  it,  and  how  long  it  stood,  we  have  not  been 
able  to  discover.  The  place  is  yet  occupied.  In  1660,  Ed- 
ward Collins  conveyed  a  "  gristmill  on  the  Menotomy  side  " 
to  Thomas  Danforth,  Thomas  Brooks,  and  Timothy  Wheeler. 
This  mill  was  previously  occupied  by  Richard  Cooke. 

There  was  a  mill  at  the  place  now  called  the  "  Bower," 
about  one  mile  north  of  the  meeting-house  of  the  first  parish, 
carried  by  the  water  of  Marble  Brook.  The  banks,  race,  canal, 
and  cellar  are  yet  traceable.  This  was  used  for  grinding  grain 
and  sawing  timber.  It  was  on  land  now  owned  by  Mr. 
Dudley  Hall. 

The  remains  of  another  water-mill  are  still  visible  on  land 
now  owned  by  Mr.  W.  A.  Russell,  near  the  north-west  border 
of  the  town.  It  was  carried  by  the  water  of  Whitmore  Brook. 
This  mill  must  have  been  among  the  earliest  in  Medford. 

The  first  action  of  the  town  respecting  mills  was  May  30, 
1698,  and  the  record  reads  thus  :  "  Put  to  vote,  whether  the 
inhabitants  of  Medford  will  petition  the  General  Court  for  li- 
berty to  build  a  gristmill  on  the  river,  near  and  above  Mistick 
Bridge.  Voted  in  the  affirmative."  This  was  not  successful; 
nor  was  the  following,  —  Nov.  26,  1700:  "Whether  the 
town  will  petition  the  General  Court  for  liberty  to  build  a 
corn-mill  in  their  town,  at  Gravelly  Bank,  near  Mistick 
Bridge.     This  was  voted  in  the  affirmative." 

When  the  circular  stone  windmill,  now  standing  on  Quarry 
Hill,  in  Somerville,  was  built,  the  inhabitants  of  Medford 
carried  their  grain  there.  Before  the  Revolution,  the  mill  was 
converted  into  a  powder-house,  and  has  been  used  as  such  to 
our  day. 

1730 :  Mr.  John  Albree  built  a  mill  upon  his  own  land, 
on  a  branch  of  Marble  Brook.  It  stood  about  six  rods  west 
of  Purchase  Street,  on  land  now  owned  by  Mr.  P.  C.  Hall, 
50 


394  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

where  it  joins  the  land  of  Mr.  B.  L.  Swan.  The  supply  of 
water  was  small,  as  the  present  banks  indicate.  There  he, 
and  his  only  son  Joseph,  wove  cloth  by  water,  prepared 
wool  for  spinning,  and  had  lathes  for  turning  wood.  His 
house,  of  two  stories,  which  he  built,  stood  about  six  rods 
north-east  from  his  mill.  The  mill  stood  more  than  forty 
years,  and  was  once  used  for  the  manufacture  of  pomatum 
and  starch. 

1746 :  This  year  the  tidemill,  near  Sandy  Bank,  was 
built ;  and  it  was  the  first  of  the  kind  in  that  part  of  the  town. 
As  it  is  now  standing,  it  may  be  worth  while  to  state  a  few 
facts  touching  its  origin.  Articles  of  agreement  were  con- 
cluded, Feb.  20,  1746,  between  Richard  Sprague,  cooper, 
Samuel  Page,  yeoman,  Simon  Tufts,  Esq.,  physician,  John 
"Willis,  yeoman,  Stephen  Hall,  trader,  Stephen  Bradshaw, 
yeoman,  Simon  Bradshaw,  leather-dresser,  and  Benjamin 
Parker,  blacksmith,  on  the  one  part,  all  of  Medford,  and 
owners  of  land ;  and,  on  the  other  part,  Stephen  Hall, 
Samuel  Page,  and  Stephen  Willis,  of  Medford,  husbandmen, 
and  Benjamin  Parker,  of  Charlestown,  housewright,  as  under- 
takers. They,  of  the  first  part,  give  the  portions  of  land 
they  own  lying  between  the  market  and  Cross  Street,  on  con- 
dition that  they,  of  the  second  part,  will  open  a  straight  road, 
two  rods  wide,  from  the  market  to  Cross  Street,  and  build  a 
stone  bridge  over  Gravelly  Creek.  This  was  introductory 
to  building  the  tidemill.  Benjamin  Parker  gave  the  land  on 
which  the  mill  was  built,  —  thirty-one  feet  long,  and  twenty- 
five  wide.  John  "Willis  and  Benjamin  Parker  gave  liberty 
to  the  undertakers  to  cut  a  ditch  from  Gravelly  Creek  to  the 
mill,  and  to  build  a  dam.  Dr.  Tufts,  John  Willis,  Samuel 
Page,  Thomas  Oakes,  and  Nathaniel  Hall,  bind  themselves 
never  to  obstruct  the  free  flow  of  water  to  the  mill.  The 
undertakers  tlien  bind  themselves  "  to  erect  a  good  gristmill  on 
the  spot  of  land  above  mentioned  ;  and  said  mill  shall  be  ready 
to  go  at  or  before  the  last  day  of  September  next."  As  gua- 
ranty for  each  party,  they  "  bind  themselves  in  the  penal  sum 
of  five  hundred  pounds." 

The  mill  was  completed,  and  answered  its  purpose.  It 
afterwards  came  into  the  possession  of  Timothy  Waite,  jun. 
He  sold  it  to  Seth  Blodget,  March  9,  1761.  Mr.  Blodget 
sold  it  to  Matthew  Bridge,  Oct.  18,  1780.  Mr.  Bridge  sold 
one  half  of  it  to  John  Bishop,  April  7, 1783 ;  and  sold  the  other 
half  to  John  Bishop,  jun.,  April  29,  1784.     John  Bishop  sold 


MIDDLESEX    CANAL.  395 

the  whole  to  Gershom  Cutter,  who  sold  to  Samuel  Cutter, 
who  sold  to  George  T.  Goodwin,  its  present  owner. 

This  mill  has  had  various  fortunes,  and,  by  turns,  has  done 
all  sorts  of  work.  Whether  it  has  been  most  successful  in 
grinding  grain  or  mustard-seeds  or  paints,  or  in  sawing  ma- 
hogany and  turning  wood,  we  know  not. 

May  10,  1766:  It  was  again  suggested  "to  build  a  grist- 
mill near  the  great  bridge."     But  it  was  not  done. 

May  12,  1791 :  The  town  voted  "not  to  allow  any  one  to 
build  a  mill  near  the  great  bridge." 

The  mills  of  Baconville  are  mentioned  under  the  head 
of  manufactures.  They  had  at  first  a  checkered  fortune, 
as  devoted  to  clothing  and  fulling,  as  saw  and  grist  mills,  as 
screw-factory,  founclery,  door  and  sash,  leather,  and  snuff  fac- 
tories. To  their  present  owners  they  would  have  been  very 
profitable,  if  frequent  fires  had  not  consumed  them. 

Mills  carried  by  steam-engines  are  now  becoming  com- 
mon ;  and  families  are  supplied  with  meal  by  the  regular 
traders. 

MIDDLESEX    CANAL. 

This  was  the  first  canal  in  New  England,  if  not  the  first 
in  the  New  World,  which  was  opened  under  a  charter  derived 
from  a  legislature,  with  tolls  regulated  by  law.  The  enter- 
prising citizens  of  Medford  were  among  the  first  movers  of 
the  project,  and  the  steadiest  helpers  of  the  work.  It  con- 
tributed so  much  to  the  wealth  of  our  town,  by  inducing 
ship-builders  to  settle  and  work  among  us,  that  a  notice  of  it 
belongs  to  our  records. 

I  find  the  following  statistics  in  an  "  Historical  Sketch  of 
the  Middlesex  Canal,"  gathered  by  their  faithful  agent,  Caleb 
Eddy,  Esq.,  and  dated  1843  :  — 

"  In  the  month  of  May,  1793,  a  number  of  gentlemen  associated 
'  for  opening  a  canal  from  the  waters  of  the  Merrimac,  by  Concord 
River,  or  income  other  way,  through  the  waters  of  Mystic  River,  to 
the  town  of  Boston.'  There  were  present  at  this  meeting  the 
Hon.  James  Sullivan,  Benjamin  Hall,  Willis  Hall,  Ebenezer  Hall, 
Jonathan  Porter,  Loammi  Baldwin,  Ebenezer  Hall,  jun.,  Andrew 
Hall,  and  Samuel  Swan,  Esq. 

"  After  organizing,  by  the  choice  of  Benjamin  Hall  as  chairman, 
and  Samuel°Swan  as  clerk,  '  the  Hon.  James  Sullivan,  Loammi 
Baldwin,  and  Captain  Ebenezer  Hall,  were  chosen  a  committee  to 
attend  the  General  Court,  in  order  to  obtain  an  act  of  incorpora- 


396  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

tion,  with  suitable  powers  relating  to  the  premises.'  In  conformity 
with  this  vote,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  General  Court,  and 
a  charter  obtained  ('incorporating  James  Sullivan,  Esq.,  and  others, 
by  the  name  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Middlesex  Canal'),  bearing 
date  June  22,  1793 ;  and  on  the  same  day  was  signed  by  his  excel- 
lency John  Hancock,  Governor  of  the  .Commonwealth. 

"  By  this  charter,  the  proprietors  were  authorized  to  lay  assess- 
ments, from  time  to  time,  as  might  be  required  for  the  construction 
of  said  canal.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  proprietors,  after  the 
choice  of  James  Sullivan  as  moderator,  and  Samuel  Swan  as  clerk, 
the  following  votes  were  passed;  viz.,  'That  the  Hon.  James  Sulli- 
van, Hon.  James  Winthrop,  and  Christopher  Gore,  Esq.,  be  a  com- 
mittee to  arrange  the  business  of  the  meeting,  which  they  reported 
in  the  following  order  :  — 

" '  Voted  that  the  business  of  the  corporation  be  transacted  by  a 
committee,  annually  elected,  consisting  of  thirteen  directors,  who 
shall  choose  their  president  and  vice-president  out  of  their  own 
number.  ^. 

'"Voted  that  iKwIon.  James  Sullivan,  Loammi  Baldwin,  Esq., 
the  Hon.  Thomas  Russell,  Hon.  James  Winthrop,  Christopher 
Gore,  Esq.,  Joseph  Barrell,  Esq.,  Andrew  Cragie,  Esq.,  Hon.  John 
Brooks,  Captain  Ebenezer  Hall,  Jonathan  Porter,  Esq.,  Ebenezer 
Storer,  Esq.,  Caleb  Swan,  and  Samuel  Jaques,  be  directors  for 
pursuing  the  business  of  the  canal  for  the  present  year.' 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  directors,  Oct.  11,  the  following  vote  was 
passed :  — 

" '  Voted  that  the  Hon.  James  Sullivan  be  president ;  Loammi 
Baldwin,  Esq.,  first  vice-president ;  and  Hon.  John  Brooks,  second 
vice-president.' 

"  The  board  of  directors  being  duly  organized,  the  next  duty 
was  to  commence  '  the  necessary  surveys  of  the  most  eligible  route 
between  Medford  River  and  Chelmsford,  by  the  Concord  River.' 
Here  the  committee  were  met  by  an  almost  insurmountable  diffi- 
culty :  the  science  of  civil-engineering  was  almost  unknown  to  any 
one  in  this  part  of  the  country.  They  were,  however,  determined 
to  persevere ;  and  appointed  Mr.  Samuel  Thompson,  of  Woburn, 
who  began  his  work,  and  proceeded  from  Medford  River,  at  a  place 
near  the  location  of  the  present  lock,  and  followed  up  the  river  to 
Mystic  Pond,  through  the  pond  and  Symmes's  River,  to  Horn  Pond 
in  Woburn,  and  through  said  pond  to  the  head  thereof.  Meeting, 
here  bars  they  could  neither  let  down  nor  remove,  they  went  back 
to  Richardson's  Mill,  on  Symmes's  River,  and  passed  up  the  valley, 
through  the  east  part  of  Woburn,  to  Wilmington,  and  found  an  easy 
and  very  regular  ascent  until  they  reached  Concord  River ;  a  dis- 
tance travelled,  as  the  surveyor  says,  '  from  Medford  Bridge  to  the 
Billerica  Bridge,  about  twenty  three  miles  ;  and  the  ascent  he  found 
to  be,  from  Medford  River  to  the  Concord,  sixty-eight  and  one-half 
feet.'     The  actual  elevation,  when  afterwards  surveyed  hy  a  prac- 


MIDDLESEX    CANAL.  •      397 

tieal  engineer,  was  found  to  be  one  hundred  and  four  feet.  By  the 
Original  survey  from  Billerica  to  Chelmsford,  the  surveyor  says, 
'  The  water  we  estimate  in  the  Merrimac  at  sixteen  and  one-half  feet 
above  that  at  Billerica  Bridge,  and  the  distance  six  miles;'  when,  in 
fact,  the  water  at  Billerica  Bridge  is  about  twenty-jive  feet  above  the 
Merrimac  at  Chelmsford.  This  report  shows  one  of  the  many  diffi- 
culties the  directors  had  to  contend  with  for  the  want  of  requisite 
scientific  knowledge. 

"  On  the  first  day  of  Mai-ch,  the  directors  passed  a  vote,  appoint- 
ing Loammi  Baldwin,  Esq.,  to  '  repair  to  Philadelphia,  and  en- 
deavor to  obtain  Mr.  Weston's  (an  English  engineer)  assistance 
in  conducting  the  canal.  If  he  cannot  come,  then  that  he  endeavor 
to  obtain  some  other  person  who  shall  be  recommended  by  Mr. 
Weston;  and  that  said  agent  be  authorized  to  write  to  Europe  for 
some  suitable  person  for  the  undertaking,  if  none  can  be  found  else- 
where.' Col.  Baldwin  made  a  lengthy  and  able  report  on  the  twelfth 
day  of  May,  171)4.  Among  other  things,  he  says  he  has  engaged 
Mr.  Weston  to  make  the  survey  of  the  route  in  the  month  of  June, 
and  closes  his  report  as  follows :  '  I  consider  the  prospects  before 
us,  in  this  undertaking,  much  more  flattering  in  respect  to  the  exe- 
cution of  the  work,  in  proportion  to  the  extent,  than  any  I  have 
seen  in  the  Southern  States,  the  Washington  Canal  excepted.' 
About  the  loth  of  July,  Mr.  Weston  arrived;  and  a  committee, 
consisting  of  Loammi  Baldwin  and  Samuel  Jaques,  was  appointed 
'to  attend  him  during  his  survey  and  observations  relating  to  the 
canal.'  The  survey  was  completed,  and  a  full  report  made  by  Mr. 
Weston,  on  the  second  day  of  August,  1794.  Agents  were  imme- 
diately appointed  to  carry  on  the  work,  to  commence  at  Billerida 
Mills,  on  Concord  River,  and  first  complete  the  level  to  the  Merri- 
mac, at  North  Chelmsford.  The  season  having  so  far  advanced, 
but  little  could  be  done  until  the  next  spring,  except  purchasing  ma- 
terials and  making  contracts  for  future  operations.  The  work  was 
prosecuted  with  great  caution,  from  the  commencement  to  the  year 
1803,  at  which  time  it  was  so  far  completed  as  to  be  navigable  from 
the  Merrimac  to  Charles  River  ;  but  delays  and  great  expense  were 
incurred  for  many  years,  owing  to  imperfections  in  the  banks  and 
other  parts  of  the  work  ;  and  about  the  whole  income  was  expended 
in  additions,  alterations,  and  repairs ;  and  no  dividend  could  be,  or 
was,  declared  until  Feb.  1,  1819  ! 

The  charter  allowed  assessments  to  be  laid,  from  time  to  time, 
until  the  works  should  be  completed,  and  all  the  debts  of  the  corpo- 
ration fully  and  justly  paid.  One  hundred  assessments  were  laid : 
the  first  on  the  first  day  of  January,  1794;  the  last  on  the  first  day 
of  September,  1817  ;  amounting,  with  interest  added  to  Feb.  1, 
1819  (the  date  of  first  dividend),  to  fourteen  hundred  and  jifty-jive 
dollars  and  twenty-jive  cents  on  each  share  ;  making  the  whole  cost  of 
the.  canal  eleven  hundred  and  sixty-four  thousand  two  hundred  dollars. 
There  have  been  paid  in  dividends,  from  the  year  1819  to  the  present 


398  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

year  (1843),  Jive  hundred  and  four  dollars  on  each  share  (averaging 
$20.16  per  annum)  ;  an  interest  on  the  cost  of  about  one  and  thirty- 
nine  one-hundredths  of  one  per  cent  per  annum.  From  the  year 
1819  to  the  time  the  Lowell  Railroad  went  into  operation,  the  re- 
ceipts regularly  increased,  so  that  the  dividends  arose  from  ten  to 
thirty  dollars  per  share;  and  no  doubt,  in  a  few  years,  without  com- 
petition, they  would  have  given  a  handsome  interest  on  the  original 
cost.  The  year  that  road  went  into  full  operation,  the  receipts  of 
the  canal  were  reduced  one-third;  when  the  Nashua  and  Lowell 
Road  went  into  operation,  they  were  reduced  another  third.  Those 
of  the  last  year  and  the  present  will  not  be  sufficient  to  cover  the 
expenditures  for  repairs  and  current  expenses.  The  future  has 
but  a  gloomy  prospect.  For  the  past  twenty  years,  and  during  the 
time  I  have  had  the  management  of  the  canal,  I  can  truly  say,  the 
directors  have  spared  no  pains  or  expense  in  keeping  it  in  perfect 
order  for  use ;  and  the  public  have  derived  great  advantage  from 
this  water  communication,  in  the  transportation  of  timber  (for  ship- 
building) and  other  heavy  lumber,  as  well  as  wood  and  merchan- 
dise generally.  The  inventions  and  ingenuity  of  man  are  ever 
onward ;  and  a  new,  cheap,  and  more  expeditious  mode  of  trans- 
portation by  steam-power  has  been  devised,  which  seems  destined 
to  destroy  that  which  was  once  considered  invulnerable.  What  is 
to  be  done?  Improvements  in  mechanics  and  the  arts  will  go  on, 
while  man  has  mind.  If  the  canal  cannot  put  out  the  fire  of  the 
locomotive,  it  may  be  made  to  stop  the  ravages  of  that  element  in 
the  city  of  Boston,  should  the  proprietors,  after  mature  considera- 
tion, deem  it  for  their  interest  so  to  devote  it.  The  canal  was 
brought  into  existence  by  the  aid  and  assistance  of  the  Legislature; 
and  by  their  power  it  has  received  a  hard  blow.  There  is  yet 
vitality  ;  and  the  same  power  that  created  and  has  nearly  destroyed 
it  can  resuscitate  and  give  to  it  *i  valuable  existence  for  the  future. 
I  trust,  upon  a  respectful  and  proper  representation  of  the  condi- 
tion of  your  interests  as  they  exist  at  the  present  time,  and  the  past 
great  exertions  of  the  proprietors  to  serve  the  public  faithfully, 
together  with  the  immense  sacrifices  that  have  been  made,  the  Legis- 
lature will  be  disposed  to  view  the  case  as  one  of  equity,  and  rea- 
der every  aid  in  their  power  to  preserve  and  make  it  more  valuable 
than  heretofore.  I  know  of  but  one  way  in  which  the  canal  can  be 
of  much  value  to  the  public,  and  those  who  now  hold  an  interest 
therein  ;  viz.,  by  changing  a  part  of  it  from  one  public  use  to  another. 
Discontinue  the  levels  from  the  Charles  River  to  Woburn  upper 
locks,  and  from  Billerica  Mills  to  the  Merrimac  River;  in  the  whole, 
a  distance  of  over  fourteen  miles.  The  remaining  part,  from  the 
Concord  River  to  Woburn  upper  locks,  may  then  be  used  as  an 
aqueduct,  similar  to  those  in  France  and  other  European  countries. 
From  Woburn,  the  water  may  be  conveyed  in  thirty-inch  iron  pipes, 
for  the  supply  of  the  city  of  Boston,  the  towns  of  Charlestown,  and 
East  Cambridge." 


i 


MIDDLESEX    CANAL. 


399 


In  another  part  of  the  "  Sketch,"  the  author  thus  touches 
on  that  vexed  subject, — indemnity  for  damages  arising  from 
the  construction  of  rival  public  accommodation  :  — 

"  The  construction  of  the  Middlesex  Canal  was  a  heavy  undertak- 
ing to  its  proprietors.  It  was  built  in  good  faith,  and  has  ever  been 
conducted  with  a  strict  regard  to  public  accommodation.  When  the 
Lowell  Railroad  charter  was  petitioned  for,  the  proprietors  of  the 
canal  respectfully  remonstrated  against  the  grant  thereof,  unless  it 
should  contain  a  provision  for  some  reasonable  indemnity  to  them 
for  the  injury  they  were  doomed  to  sustain.  I  would  a^k  if  the 
same  Legislature  did  not  require  that  individuals  who  might  sus- 
tain any  injury  whatever  in  their  property,  by  reason  of  the  acts 
and  doings  of  the  railroad  corporation,  should  be  indemnified  ? 
In  laying  a  road,  by  virtue  of  law,  on  or  over  a  person's  land,  the 
fee  of  the  land  is  not  taken  from  him ;  but  he  is  deprived  of  obtain- 
ing any  income  from  it  while  the  road  is  continued  over  the  same ; 
the  award  of  the  commissioners  being  generally  the  amount,  or 
nearly  so,  of  the  property.  On  discontinuing  the  road,  the  property 
reverts  to  him,  and  he  again  can  derive  an  income.  Now,  by 
granting  the  right  of  constructing  a  railroad  by  the  side  of  the 
canal,  the  proprietors  are  deprived  of  the  means  of  an  income. 
Why  should  they  not  have  some  reasonable  remuneration  ?  They 
expended  their  money  in  purchasing  lands,  honorably  paying  all 
damages,  and  building  the  canal.  Did  the  landholder  do  more  than 
pay  for  the  property  which  he,  by  the  act,  was  deprived  of  getting 
his  usual  income  from  ?  Why,  then,  should  there  not  have  been  a 
provision  in  the  act  for  a  reasonable  indemnity  by  the  railroad  or 
State  ?  There  were  certainly  as  strong  grounds  for  it  as  there  were 
for  the  State  to  pay  $25,000  as  an  indemnity  to  the  proprietors  of 
the  Charles  River  Bridge.  By  the  grant  of  another  charter,  to 
another  corporation,  to  build  a  new  bridge,  they  virtually  destroyed 
the  income  from  the  old  one.  The  only  reason  set  forth  for  so 
doing  was  that  of  public  convenience ;  exactly  the  same  which  was 
maintained  by  the  petitioners  for  the  Lowell  Railroad,  in  asking  for 
a  charter  for  their  road.  There  is  only  one  difference  in  the  two 
cases.  The  proprietors  of  Charles  River  Bridge  had  received  over 
and  over  again  the  cost  of  the  bridge,  and  interest  on  the  same ; 
whilst  the  proprietors  of  the  canal  have  received  but  one  and  thirty- 
nine  hundredths  of  one  per  cent  interest  on  the  cost,  —  their  whole 
expenditure,  by  the  unreasonable  act  of  the  Legislature,  being 
now  rendered  of  nominal  or  little  value." 

In  1851,  it  was  thought  best  by  the  proprietors  "to  sur- 
render the  charter,  wind  up  the  concern,  sell  the  property, 
and  divide  the  proceeds."  In  1852,  it  was  sold  at  auction, 
in  sections  ;  and  they  who  owned  land  upon  its  borders  were, 
in  most  cases,  the  purchasers.     The  process  of  filling  it  up 


400  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

commenced  so  soon,  and  has  been  prosecuted  so  diligently,  that 
all  traces  of  this  full  artery  have,  in  many  sections,  wholly 
disappeared ;  but  we  truly  hope  that  the  solid  stone  bridge, 
built  by  the  Hon.  Peter  C.  Brooks,  to  span  it,  and  which  has 
been  for  a  quarter  of  a  century  a  most  picturesque  object  in 
the  distance,  will  be  allowed  to  remain  in  memoriam,  —  a 
gravestone  to  mark  where  the  highway  of  waters  lies  buried. 

Two  "  single  locks  "  were  found  necessary  in  Medford,  — 
one  on  the  north  bank  of  Mystic  River,  almost  contiguous  to 
the  Lowell  Railroad  track,  in  West  Medford  ;  and  the  other 
near  the  entrance  of  Medford  Turnpike.  This  last  was  a 
"  side  lock,"  used  for  transferring  ship-timber  from  the  canal 
to  the  river. 

There  were  benefits  and  pleasures  incidental  to  the  cur- 
rent of  these  waters  through  Medford  which  after-genera- 
tions must  lose.  Dry  and  sandy  soils,  contiguous  to  the 
canal,  became  signally  fertile  by  its  irrigations  and  filterings  ; 
hedges  and  shrubbery  on  its  sides  became  doubly  beautiful. 
It  furnished  soft  water  to  hundreds  of  families;  it  tempted 
the  laborer  and  the  boys  to  enjoy  the  luxury  of  a  bath ;  it 
invited  the  young  of  both  sexes  to  sit  and  angle' for  perch 
and  bream  ;  and  it  presented  to  the  skater  the  smoothest  ice 


RETAIL    PRICES    CURRENT    IN    MEDFORD. 

(The  best  of  each  article  is  taken ;  and  the  average  price 
for  the  last  ten  years.) 

Tea  (green),  per  lb $0.60-0.70 

„    (black),        „  0.40-0.45 

Coffee  (Java),     „          0.16 

Sugar  (wbite),    „          0.09 

„       (brown),  „           ').08 

Molasses,  per  gal 0.37 

Butter,  per  lb 0.25 

Milk,  per  qt 0.05 

Vinegar,  per  gal 0.14 

Salt,  per  bushel 0.50 

Eggs,  per  dozen 0.15 

Flour,  per  barrel 8.00 

Corn  (northern),  per  bushel 0.85 

„     (southern),        „        0.80 

Rye  (northern),          „        1.00 


CURRENCY.  401 

Oats  (northern),  per  bushel $0.50 

Rice,  per  lb 0.05 

Potatoes,  per  bushel 0.40-0.50 

Turnips,          „           0.30 

Onions,            „           0.75 

Beets,             „          0.50 

Apples,  per  barrel 2.00 

Beef,  per  lb 0.10-0.20 

Pork,      „ 0.10 

Veal,      „ 0.10 

Mutton,  „ 0.10 

Turkeys,, 0.12 

Chickens,  per  lb 0.12 

Ducks             „ 0.15 

Soap  (soft),  per  barrel 4.00 

„     (bar),  per  lb 0.08 

Iron,  per  cwt 6.00 

Steel,     „        .     .     .- 10.00-12.00 

Sole-leather,  per  lb 0.25 

English  hay,  per  ton 20.00 

Wood  (oak),  per  cord 8.00 

„      (pine),      „          5.00 

Charcoal,  per  basket 0.33 

Anthracite  coal,  per  ton 7.00 


CHAPTER    XT.. 


CURRENCY. 


To  understand  the  currency  used  by  our  Medford  ancestors, 
is  to  understand  much  of  their  habits  and  customs ;  for  the 
mediums  of  exchange  and  barter,  whatever  they  be,  exert  a 
magical  influence  over  the  labors,  wishes,  and  attachments  of 
society.  "Whatever  has  been  prescribed  by  legislative  autho- 
rity, or  adopted  by  general  usage,  as  a  medium  of  exchange, 
may  be  denominated  currency.  The  substances  adopted  as  a 
standard  of  value  have  been  very  various  in  different  ages 
and  countries.  In  ancient  times,  in  Italy  and  Greece,  the 
standard  was  cattle,  sometimes  leather ;  in  Europe,  a  silver 
nail,  iron  bars,  tin  plates ;  in  India,  shells ;  in  Africa,  bricks 
51 


402  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOKD. 

and  beads ;  in  Mexico,  maize  and  cocoa  ;  in  the  West  Indies, 
sugar ;  in  Newfoundland,  dried  cod ;  in  Virginia,  tobacco  : 
and,  among  the  Indians,  wampum. 

In  this  last  article,  and  in  peltry,  our  ancestors  traded  much 
with  the  aboriginal  inhabitants.  Wampum  was  a  belt  formed 
of  shells,  black  and  white.  "  The  white,"  says  Roger  Wil- 
liams, "  were  made  of  the  stock,  or  stem,  of  the  periwinkle, 
when  all  the  shell  is  broken  off;  and,  of  this  sort,  six  of  their 
small  beads,  which  they  make  with  holes  to  string  their 
bracelets,  are  current  with  the  English  for  a  penny.  The 
second  is  black,  inclining  to  blue,  which  is  made  of  the  shell 
of  a  fish,  which  some  English  call  hens-poquahock ;  and,  of 
this  sort,  three  make  an  English  penny.  One  fathom  of  this, 
their  stringed  money,  is  worth  five  shillings." 

To  show  how  this  shell-currency  of  the  natives  was  pre- 
pared for  ready  exchange,  we  quote  the  law  of  Oct.  18, 
1648 :  — 

"  It  is  ordered,  for  trial  till  the  next  court,  that  all  passable  or  pay- 
able peage  henceforth  shall  be  entire,  without  breaches,  both  the 
white  and  black,  without  deforming  spots,  suitably  strung  in  eight 
known  parcels,  —  one  penny,  threepence,  twelvepence,  five  shil- 
lings, in  white  ;  twopence,  sixpence,  two  shillings  and  sixpence, 
and  ten  shillings,  in  black." 

Medford  paid  its  share  towards  the  support  of  Rev.  Messrs. 
Patricke  and  Underhill ;  and,  Sept.  7,  1630,  "  it  is  ordered 
that  Mr.  Patricke  and  Mr.  Underhill  shall  have  allowed  them, 
for  half  a  year's  provision,  two  hogsheads  of  meal,  four 
bushels  of  malt,  ten  pounds  of  powder,  and  lead  to  make 
shot ;  also  house-room  provided  for  them,  and  fifteen  pounds 
twelve  shillings  in  money  to  make  other  provision  from  the 
time  they  begin  to  keep  house."  These  records  show  how 
the  Pilgrims  managed  their  currency :  — 

"  Sir  Richard  Saltonstall  is  fined  four  bushels  of  malt,  for  his 
absence  from  court." 

"  Mr.  Robert  Saltonstall  is  fined  five  shillings,  for  presenting  his 
petition  on  so  small  and  bad  a  piece  of  paper." 

"  Chickataubott  is  fined  a  skin  of  a  beaver,  for  shooting  a  swine  of 
Sir  Richard  Saltonstall." 

Silver  was  exceedingly  scarce  at  the  time  Medford  was 
settled ;  hence  the  necessity  of  adopting  some  other  standards 
of  value.  All  accounts  were  kept  in  the  pounds,  shillings, 
pence,  and  farthings  of  the  mother  country.     For  more  than 


CURRENCY.  403 

half  a  century,  the  law  of  Oct.  18,  1631,  was  in  active  opera- 
tion here.     That  law  was  as  follows  :  — 

.  "  It  is  ordered  that  corn  shall  pass  for  payment  of  all  debts,  at 
the  usual  rate  it  is  sold  for,  except  money  or  beaver  be  expressly 
named." 

Oct.  3, 1633  :  "  It  is  agreed  that  the  best  sort  of  laborers  shall  not 
take  above  eighteen-pence  a  day,  if  they  diet  themselves ;  and  not 
above  eightpence  a  day,  if  they  have  diet  found  them.  Further, 
it  is  ordered  that  all  workmen  shall  work  the  whole  day,  allowing 
convenient  time  for  food  and  rest." 

Nov.  8,  1633  :  "  Ordered  that  no  persons  shall  sell  to  any  of  the 
inhabitants  within  this  jurisdiction  any  provision,  clothing,  tools,  or 
other  commodities,  above  the  rate  of  fourpence  in  a  shilling  more 
than  the  same  cost,  or  might  be  bought  for  ready  money,  in  Eng- 
land." 

Sept.  3,  1634 :  "  No  person  that  keeps  an  ordinary  shall  take 
above  sixpence  a  meal  for  a  person;  and  not  above  one  penny  for 
an  ale-quart  of  beer,  out  of  meal-time." 

March  4,  1635:  "Ordered  that  musket-bullets,  of  a  full  bore, 
shall  pass  currently  for  a  farthing  apiece,  provided  that  no  man  be 
compelled  to  take  above  twelvepence  at  a  time  of  them." 

The  legal  premium  allowed  for  the  loan  of  currency  was 
eight  per  cent,  and  so  continued  for  a  short  time  after  the 
second  charter.  These  facts  and  laws  reveal  to  us  the  every- 
day calculations,  and  many  of  the  social  habits,  of  our  Medford 
ancestors  ;  and,  in  the  absence  of  town-records,  serve  as 
authentic  data  from  which  we  can  write  the  history  of  their 
cares  and  labors,  their  sacrifices  and  prosperity.  They  found 
it  difficult  to  pay  the  wages  of  their  workmen  and  servants. 
Even  such  men  as  Governor  Winthrop  were  hard  pressed 
in  this  way.  He  illustrates  the  severities  of  the  common  l-»t 
in  these  words  :  — 

"  I  may  report  a  passage  between  one  Rowley  and  his  servant 
The  master,  being  forced  to  sell  a  pair  of  his  oxen  to  par  his  ser- 
vant his  wages,  told  his  servant  he  could  keep  him  no  linger,  not 
knowing  how  to  pay  him  next  year.  The  servant  ans^red  him, 
he  could  serve  him  for  more  of  his  cattle.  But  wha*  shall  I  do 
(saith  the  master)  when  all  my  cattle  are  gone?  The  servant 
replied,  '  You  shall  then  serve  me ;  and  so  you  may^ave  your  cattle 
again.' " 

It  was  natural  enough  that  such  extremities  as  these  should 
awaken  the  public  mind  to  some  modes  o-  permanent  relief; 
and.  they  did  suggest  the  establishment  A  a  mint  at  Boston. 
May  31,  1652 :  The  General  Court  ordered,  that,  "from  and 


404  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

after  the  1st  of  September  next,  and  no  longer,  the  money 
hereafter  appointed  and  expressed  shall  be  the  current  money 
of  this  Commonwealth,  and  no  other,  unless  English  (except 
the  receivers  consent  thereunto)."  Thus  1652  saw  our 
fathers  coining  money  without  the  consent  of  the  king,  to 
whom  alone  belonged  the  constitutional  right  of  so  doing. 

The  building  erected  for  the  mint  was  sixteen  feet  square 
and  ten  feet  high.  Such  an  edifice  surely  could  not  deserve 
the  sneer  of  that  adage,  "  Twelve  pence  laid  out  on  the  purse, 
and  only  six  in  it." 

One  effect  of  introducing  a  New-England  coinage  was  to 
change  the  custom  of  computing  in  Old-England  currency  ; 
for,  in  the  London  market,  the  American  coin  sank  at  a  rate 
of  one-quarter  below  theirs. 

The  device  on  the  die  was  as  follows  :  "  A  double  ring  on 
either  side,  with  this  inscription,  Massachusetts,  and  a  tree  in 
the  centre,  on  the  one  side ;  and  New  England,  and  the  year 
of  our  Lord,  on  the  other  side"  This  was  called  the  "pine- 
tree  currency  ;  "  and  it  was  in  use  for  more  than  a  hundred 
years.  The  pine-tree  was  a  favorite  emblem  with  our 
fathers.  It  expressed  to  them  something  un-English,  and 
something  durable.  When  independence  was  declared, 
Massachusetts  (April  11,  1776)  put  it  on  her  State  flag,  and 
fought  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  under  its  ancestral  encou- 
ragements.    It  gave  place  only  to  the  thirteen  stripes. 

"When  Thomas  Temple,  Esq.,  went  to  London,  in  May, 
1662,  and  was  introduced  to  the  king,  he  presented  his 
majesty  with  specimens  of  our  coins.  Seeing  a  tree  on  one 
of  them,  Charles  inquired,  "  What  sort  of  a  tree  is  that  ?  "  Mr. 
Temple  immediately  replied,  "  It  is  the  royal  oak,  which 
preserved  your  majesty's  life."  The  answer  conciliated  the 
unbotanical  king,  and  induced  him  to  grant  Mr.  Temple  what 
he  askei. 

The  nint  was  suppressed  by  James  II. ;  and  thereupon, 
in  1686.  our  Massachusetts  patriots  began  to  move  in  the 
establishment  of  a  bank;  and,  on  Sept.  18  of  that  year, 
President  T^dley  and  council  granted  liberty ,  to  certain 
directors  "  tc  ^ssue  bills,  on  security  of  real  and  personal 
estate."  These  continued  but  three  years.  Dec.  10,  1690, 
the  General  Coui\  established  a  provincial  bank,  and  issued 
paper-money  to  theam0unt  of  seven  thousand  pounds,  in  bills 
from  five  shillings  to  five  pounds.  This  paper-currency  con- 
tinued in  use  till  1750.     These  paper-bills,  soon  after  their 


CURRENCY.  405 

issue,  fell  in  value  at  least  one-third.  The  government  tried 
to  remedy  this  evil  by  allowing  five  per  cent  advance  on  the 
specie  and  par  value  of  the  bills  in  all  public  payments. 
This  restored  them  to  par  for  about  twenty  years.  They 
were  called  "  old  charter  bills."  June  8,  1693,  the  General 
Court  changed  the  rate  of  interest  from  eight  per  cent  to 
six. 

So  common  had  become  the  vicious  habit  of  clipping  gold 
and  silver  money,  that  the  government  issued  a  proclamation, 
March  3,  1705,  "  that  no  money  shall  pass  by  tale  but  what 
is  of  due  weight."  Almost  every  family  had  a  pair  of  scales 
to  weigh  the  gold  and  silver  they  took. 

The  two  crusades  against  Canada,  about  this  time,  forced 
the  colonies  to  issue  "  bills  of  credit,"  to  pay  the  soldiers. 
These  lost  credit,  and  somewhat  depreciated  ;  and  here  was 
another  embarrassment  suffered  by  our  fathers.  December, 
17~4,  Judge  Sewall  says,  "  The  diminution  of  the  value  of 
the  bills  of  public  credit  is  the  cause  of  much  oppression  in  the 
Province."  Golden  says  (1728),  "  Our  paper-currency  has 
gradually  lost  its  credit,  so  as  at  present  sixteen  shillings  is  but 
sufficient  to  purchase  an  ounce  of  silver."  Governor  Belcher 
says  (1733),  "  Sixteen  shillings  in  these  bills  will  not  pur- 
chase five  shillings  lawful  money." 

Lawful  money,  as  distinguished  from  old  tenor,  is  first 
mentioned  in  the  Medford  records,  May  17,  1750.  The 
town  voted,  May  21,  1751,  to  give  Mr.  Turell,  as  salary  for 
that  year,  £73.  6s.  8d.  (lawful  money),  which  was  equal  to 
,£550  (old  tenor).  In  1754,  voted  to  give  him  £80  (lawful 
money),  which  was  equal  to  £600  (old  tenor). 

In  1761,  £10  were  equal  to  £75  old  tenor,  £24  to  £180, 
and  £80  to  £600. 

It  is  not  easy,  in  our  day  of  plenty  and  power,  to  estimate 
those  perplexities  and  fears  of  our  fathers  which  came  from 
an  empty  treasury,  a  defenceless  country,  and  an  embarrassed 
trade.  To  show  how  very  slowly  they  must  have  gathered 
money,  we  give  a  table  of  prices  of  such  productions  as  were 
taken  for  rates  at  the  treasury.  Good  merchantable  beef, 
£3  a  barrel ;  do.  pork,  £5.  10s. ;  winter  wheat,  8s. ;  summer, 
7s. ;  barley,  6s. ;  rye,  6s. ;  Indian  corn,  4s. ;  oats,  2s.  6c?.  a 
bushel.  Flax,  Is.  4c?. ;  hemp,  9d. ;  beeswax,  2s.  6c?.  a  pound. 
Peas,  clear  of  bugs,  9s.  a  bushel.  Sweet  firkin  butter,  12c?. 
a  pound.  Merchantable  dry  codfish,  £1.  10s.  a  quintal. 
Mackerel,  £1.  10s. ;  oil,  £2.  10s.  a  barrel.      Whalebone,  six 


406  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

feet  long  and  upward,  3s.  6d. ;  bayberry-wax,  1*.  id.  a  pound. 
Turpentine,  full  bound,  13s.  ;  merchantable  bar-iron,  48s.  ; 
cast-iron  pots  and  kettles,  48s.  a  hundred.  Well-cured  to- 
bacco, id. ;  good  tried  tallow,  Sd.  a  pound. 

We  can  but  faintly  conceive  the  embarrassments  which 
our  ancestors  here  must  have  encountered  from  the  fluctuat- 
ing prices  of  their  products ;  especially  when,  as  in  1740, 
there  were  circulating  in  Massachusetts  public  bills  of  four 
provinces,  at  29s.  for  an  ounce  of  silver.  New  tenor  of 
Massachusetts  at  6s.  8d.,  but  current  at  9s.  8d.  oz.  of  silver. 
Connecticut  new  tenor  at  8s.,  and  Rhode  Island  new  tenor 
at  6s.  dd.  Our  fathers,  under  these  circumstances,  must  have 
been  good  mathematicians  to  have  understood  this  occult 
chemistry  of  trade. 

July  30,  1781 :  Medford  voted  "to  raise  £100  in  specie, 
in  lieu  of  the  £400  raised  on  the  29th  of  June  last."  This 
would  seem  to  imply  that  £100  specie  was  worth  £400  of 
New-England  money.  Aug.  20,  1781:  "  Voted  to  raise 
£450  hard  money,  instead  of  the  £1,300  paper  money,  voted 
in  May  last." 

It  is  not  necessary  to  trace  further  the  currency  of  the 
Province,  or  to  show  the  effects  of  the  issue  of  "  continental 
money,"  or  the  "  sword-in-hand  "  money,  of  1775,  or  the  influ- 
ence of  the  Stamp  Act,  and  the  subsequent  oppressions  of  the 
crown  upon  the  trade,  comfort,  or  hopes  of  our  fathers.  The 
currency  of  the  country,  from  its  settlement  to  the  present 
time,  pertains  as  much  to  the  town  of  Medford  as  to  any  other  , 
town.  It  makes  part  and  parcel  of  its  history.  It  influenced 
every  family's  labor,  and  shaped  the  town's  laws.  May  12, 
1791,  the  town  voted  to  sell  the  "old  continental  money" 
then  in  the  treasury  for  the  most  they  could  get  for  it.  We 
have  given  these  details,  that  our  readers  may  see  how  the 
fathers  and  mothers,  the  brothers  and  sisters,  of  the  olden 
time  were  obliged  to  think,  calculate,  and  act,  in  their  pecu- 
niary intercourse  with  their  neighbors  and  public  function- 
aries. Trading  and  shopping  then  were  very  different  ope- 
rations from  what  they  are  now.  The  word  pay  was  used  to 
denote  whatever  was  employed  as  currency  or  medium  of 
exchange.  Suppose  a  farmer  went  to  buy  a  pair  of  oxen,  how 
would  the  colloquy  proceed  ?  Somewhat  thus  :  —  Neighbor 
A. :  "I  want  to  buy  your  two-year-old  steers  :  what  do  you 
ask  for  them  ? "  "I  will  sell ;  but  what's  jour  pay  ?  "  An- 
swer: "Flux  at  Is.  id.,  butter  at   12d.,  winter  wheat  at  8s., 


CURRENCY.  407 

and  the  rest  in  paper  at  17s.  per  ounce  of  silver."  This  is 
satisfactory ;  and  so  they  trade.  A  dialogue  between  two 
merchants,  in  the  purchase  of  a  ship,  would  be  something 
like  this  :  —  Mr.  8.  :  "  What  will  you  take  for  your  bark  ■  Co- 
lumbus '  ? "  Mr.  T. :  "  You  know  that  depends  on  the  pay." 
Mr.  8.:  "My  pay  is,  double-johns  at  £A.  16s.,  moidores  at 
36s.,  pistoles  at  22s.,  the  rest  in  old-tenor  bills  at  the  rate 
of  45s.  for  6s.  of  specie,  and  middle  tenors  at  lis.  3d.  for  6s." 
Mr.  T. :  "  Well,  that's  all  right ;  and  you  may  have  her 
for  £237,  —  pay  down."  So  the  bargain  closes.  When  a 
boy  went  to  buy  a  penknife,  whose  cash  price  was  12d.,  the 
following  conversation  ensued :  —  Boy  :  "  I  want  a  good  pen- 
knife, sir."  Shopkeeper:  "Is  your  pay  ready?"  "Yes, 
sir."  "  What  is  it  ?  "  "  It's  pay."  "  Well,  then,  the  price 
is  24d."  The  boy  then  asks,  "  What  will  it  be  in  pay  as 
money?"  Answer:  "  \6d."  "What  will  it  be  in  hard 
money  ?  "  "  12c?."  If  a  young  lady  went  to  purchase  a  dress, 
and,  having  looked  and  chosen,  she  asked  the  price,  she  was 
answered  by  the  usual  question,  "  What's  your  pay  ?  "  She 
answers  :  "  Part  in  pillar-pieces  at  6s.  each,  part  in  '  pieces-of- 
eight '  at  4s.  6d.,  and  the  rest  in  cobb  money  at  6s.  8d.  ounce." 

These  were  every-day  occurrences.  What  would  the  farm- 
mers  and  merchants,  the  boys  and  girls,  of  our  day  think,  if 
they  could  not  make  a  purchase  without  all  this  bewildering 
mixture  of  prices  ? 

When  dollars  came  into  common  use,  all  calculations  were 
simplified.  The  sign  ($)  used  to  express  dollars  was  com- 
posed of  two  letters,  IT.  S.,  signifying  United  States.  The 
S  was  first  written ;  and  then  over  its  face  the  U  was  drawn, 
thus  $.  Our  present  currency  consists  of  paper-bills  of 
$1,000,  500,  100,  50,  20,  10,  5,  3,  2,  1.  Gold,  $40,  20,  10, 
5,  3,  2\,  1.     Silver,  $1,  50c,  25,  10,  5,  3.     Copper,  one  cent. 

We  take  leave  of  the  currency  of  our  ancestors  which 
prevailed  in  Medford,  and  which  has  taught  us  so  much 
about  them,  with  a  few  lines,  in  which  some  unknown  disciple 
of  Thalia  has  uttered  his  financial  joy  (1750) :  — 

"  And  now,  Old  Tenor,  fare  you  well ; 

No  more  such  tattered  rags  we'll  tell. 

Now  dollars  pass,  and  are  made  free ; 

It  is  a  year  of  jubilee. 

Let  us,  therefore,  good  husbands  be ; 
-  And  good  old  times  we  soon  shall  see." 


408  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


TAXES. 


The  first  inhabitants  of  Medford,  bringing  with  them  the 
common  usage  of  England  with  respect  to  poll  and  property 
taxation,  adopted  the  rules  which  they  had  followed  in  their 
native  country.  The  records  of  our  Colonial  General  Courts, 
under  Governor  Endicott,  before  the  arrival  of  Governor 
Winthrop,  are  lost,  and  therefore  the  rates  of  taxation  from 
1628  to  1633  cannot  be  ascertained;  yet  they  may  be  pre- 
sumed from  the  subsequent  rates  which  were  soon  after 
established  with  respect  to  church  and  state  expenses.  The 
first  rule  enacted  by  the  Legislature  was  in  1646.  This  was 
twenty-pence  a  poll,  and  one  penny  on  a  pound,  for  the  State. 
Sterling  was  the  currency  till  1652,  when  the  "  pine-tree  " 
coin,  called  New  England  currency,  was  introduced.  This 
new  coin  was  six  shillings  and  eightpence  less  than  the 
English  pound  sterling,  and  was  so  made  to  keep  it  in  the 
country. 

The  earliest  payments  were  made  in  money ;  but  after- 
wards the  Province  agreed  to  take  beaver,  grain,  pease,  cattle, 
fish,  lumber,  &c.  This  was  called  country  pay,  and  also 
called  specie :  this  last  word  retained  its  early  meaning  till 
within  seventy  or  eighty  years  of  our  time.  After  the  "  Pro- 
vince bills  of  credit "  were  introduced,  country  pay  for 
Province  taxes  ceased  in  1694. 

As  Charles  I.,  by  his  charter  of  March  4,  1629,  released 
the  Pilgrims  from  "  all  taxes,  subsidies,  and  customs,  in  New 
England,"  our  fathers  had  no  taxes  but  what  were  necessary 
in  their  own  borders. 

To  show  how  taxes  were  assessed  at  our  earliest  history, 
the  following  specimens  may  suffice. 

At  the  first  Court  of  Assistants,  under  Winthrop,  in 
Charlestown,  Sept.  28,  1630,  the  following  was  passed :  — 

"  It  is  ordered  that  there  shall  be  collected  and  levied  by  distress, 
out  of  the  several  plantations,  for  the  maintenance  of  Mr.  Patricke 
and  Mr.  Vnderhill,  the  sum  of  fifty  pounds  ;  viz.,  out  of  Charlton, 
seven  pounds ;  Boston,  eleven  pounds  ;  Dorchester,  seven  pounds ; 
Rocksbury,  five  pounds ;  Watertown,  eleven  pounds ;  Meadford, 
three  pounds ;  Salem,  three  pounds ;  Wessaguscus,  two  pounds ; 
Nantascett,  one  pound." 

This  tax  was  paid  for  instructing  the  colonists  in  military 
tactics  ;  an  art  quite  necessary  for  self-defence  against  unknown 


TAXES.  409 

Indian  tribes.  In  Nov.  30,  1630,  the  same  court  levied  a 
tax  of  sixty  pounds,  to  pay  the  two  public  preachers,  Rev. 
George  Phillips  and  Rev.  John  Wilson ;  and  the  places  and 
sums  were  as  follow :  "  Boston,  twenty  pounds ;  Charlton, 
ten  pounds  ;  Rocksbury,  six  pounds ;  Meadford,  three  pounds ; 
"Winnett-semett,  one  pound." 

Feb.  3,  1632,  the  same  court  levied  a  tax  of  sixty  pounds, 
to  make  a  palisade  for  the  defence  of  Newton,  that  town 
having  been  chosen  as  the  seat  of  government.  To  this 
tax,  twelve  towns  contributed;  and  Meadford  paid  three 
pounds. 

In  March  4,  1633,  another  levy  was  made  to  pay  military 
teachers  ;  and  here  Meadford  again  paid  three  pounds.  Thus 
our  town  seems  to  have  taken  its  place  with  contiguous  plan- 
tations in  bearing  its  proportion  of  the  public  burdens.  The 
levy,  in  each  place,  was  made  by  the  officers  of  said  planta- 
tion or  town ;  and  the  following  order,  from  the  general 
government,  attests  to  the  ideas  of  right  universally  exist- 


"  1634,  May  14  :  It  is  further  ordered,  that,  in  all  rates  and  pub- 
lic charges,  the  towns  shall  have  respect  to  levy  every  man 
according  to  his  estate,  and  with  consideration  of  all  other  his  abili- 
ties whatsoever,  and  not  according  to  the  number  of  his  persons  " 
[or  the  individuals  of  his  family]. 

"  1636,  March  3  :  For  explanation  of  an  order  made  at  the  Gene- 
ral Court,  in  May,  1634,  it  is  ordered,  that  hereafter  all  men 
shall  be  rated,  in  all  rates,  for  their  whole  ability,  wheresoever  it 
lies." 

In  a  general  levy  of  £600,  in  1634,  Meadford  paid  £26  ; 
Charlestown,  £45.  In  1635,  in  a  levy  of  £200,  Meadford 
paid  £10,  and  Charlestown  £16.  Keeping  about  these  pro- 
portions, Medford  paid  its  share  as  follows:  In  1635,  £19. 
155. ;  in  1636,  £15 ;  in  1637,  £49.  12s. ;  in  1638,  £59.  5s. 
8d.;  in  1639,  '40,  and  '41,  no  record  of  tax;  in  1642,  £10; 
in  1643,  £7. 

Winthrop  tells  us,  that,  — 

"Of  a  tax  of  £1,500,  levied  by  the  General  Court  in  1637, the 
proportion  paid  by  Medford  was  £52.  10s.;  by  Boston,  £233.  10s.; 
Ipswich,  £180 ;  Salem,  £170.  10s. ;  Dorchester,  £140 ;  Charles- 
town, £138;  Roxbury,  £115  ;  Watertown,  £110;  Newton,  £106; 
Lynn,  £105." 

Mr.  Savage  says  of  this  time  (1637),  "  Property  and  num- 
•        52 


410  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

bers,  in  a  very  short  period,  appear  to  have  been  very  un- 
equally distributed  between  Medford  and  Marblehead." 

The  diversity  in  the  several  years  was  owing  to  accidental 
occurrences,  such  as  supporting  the  expedition  against  the 
Pequods;  also  for  service-money,  to  prevent  the  effort  in 
England  to  withdraw  the  charter  of  Massachusetts,  and  to 
liquidate  charges  in  London. 

The  rates  and  prices  were  distinguished  as  follow  :  — 

"  It  is  ordered,  that,  in  payment,  silver  plate  shall  pass  at  five 
shillings  the  ounce  ;  good  old  Indian  corn,  growing  here,  being  clean 
and  merchantable,  at  five  shillings  the  bushel ;  summer  wheat,  at 
seven  shillings  the  bushel ;  rye,  at  six  shillings  and  eightpence  the 
bushel ;  and,  for  horses,  mares,  cows,  goats,  and  hogs,  there  is  a 
committee  appointed  to  value  them  under  their  worth,  rather  than 
above  their  worth." 

At  this  time  (1644),  Medford  began  to  pay  its  tax  to  Har- 
vard College.  Each  family  was  required  to  send  one  peck 
of  corn  annually,  for  the  support  of  poor  students. 

Until  1646,  the  poll-tax  of  each  man  in  Medford  was  one 
shilling  and  eightpence.  On  real  estate,  one  penny  on  the 
pound. 

The  above  data  show  how  heavily  or  lightly  Medford  was 
taxed  during  the  first  ten  years  of  its  history.  The  grants  of 
land  made,  in  1634,  by  the  General  Court,  to  Rev.  Mr.  Wil- 
son, of  Boston,  Mathew  Cradock,  Esq.,  of  London,  and  Mr. 
J.  Nowell,  were  exempted  from  taxation  ;  and,  as  some  of 
them  laid  within  the  limits  of  Medford,  it  made  this  town  an 
exception.  In  the  records  of  the  General  Court,  April  4, 
1641,  we  find  the  following  :  —  . 

"  It  is  ordered,  that  all  farms  that  are  within  the  bounds  of  any 
town  shall  be  of  the  town  in  which  they  lye,  except  Meadford" 
"Meadford  declared  apectdiar  town,  Oct.  15,  1684." 

While  it  was  right  in  the  General  Court  to  make  gifts  of 
land,  tax-free,  to  such  distinguished  benefactors  of  the  Pro- 
vince, it  deprived  Medford  of  so  much  annual  income  as  said 
districts  would  have  paid.  No  complaint  was  made  on  this 
account ;  and  our  fathers  struggled  through  nobly,  notwith- 
standing their  small  means,  and  yet  smaller  numbers.  The 
above  record  of  taxes  tells  a  tale  of  deep  interest.  We  can  see 
how  a  handful  of  first  settlers,  in  a  wilderness  district,  who 
could  only  pay  three  pounds  towards  a  provincial  tax,  must 
live  from  year  to  year.     Fed  by  what  they  could  raise  from 


411 


their  own  lands,  and  clothed  by  what  they  could  weave  in  their 
own  looms,  their  cares  must  have  been  uniform,  pressing, 
and  material.  Bound  together  in  a  common  lot  and  a  com- 
mon danger,  they  must  have  been  well  acquainted  with  each 
other,  and  must  have  passed  much  time  in  friendly  consulta- 
tion for  the  common  good.  With  these  elements  before  us, 
it  will  be  easy  for  every  one  to  imagine  what  our  earliest  set- 
tlers could  not  do,  'and  what  they  could ;  and  thus  see  their 
habits,  actions,  and  hopes. 

After  these  inferences  from  the  taxes  of  Medford,  during 
the  first  ten  years  of  its  history,  we  can  proceed  to  gauge  its 
growth  in  succeeding  years  by  the  same  media. 

"At  a  Court  of  Elections  at  Boston  the  14th  of  the 
third  month,  1645,  the  levy  upon  the  towns  of  the  Province 
was  £616.  155. ;  and  Medford's  amount  was  £7." 

There  were  three  kinds  of  taxes,  —  province,  county,  and 
town.  The  first  tax-bills  of  Massachusetts  Colony,  which 
were  made  out  by  counties,  began  October,  1659  ;  and,  in 
these,  the  tax  of  "  Meadford  "  was  far  lower  than  that  of  any 
adjoining  town. 

In  1657,  "Meadford"  was  taxed  as  one  of  the  towns  of 
the  county  of  Middlesex,  in  a  county  levy,  £3.  6s.  lid. ;  in 
1658,  £3.  3s.  Id. ;  in  1663,  £4.  4s.  6d. ;  in  1670,  £4.  12s.  ; 
in  1674,  £4.  3s.  lOd. ;  in  1676,  £4.  Is.  lOd.  During  these 
years,  Cambridge  was  paying  £40 ;  Woburn,  £25  ;  Maiden, 
£16  ;  and  Charlestown,  £00.  A  county-tax  of  £1.  13s.  9d., 
levied  on  Meadford,  Jan.  17,  1684,  was  paid  by  the  inhabi- 
tants as  follows :  — 

Capt.  Jonathan  "Wade 
Capt.  Nathaniel  Wade 
John  Hall  .... 
Caleb  Brooks  .  .  • 
Thomas  Willis  .  . 
Stephen  Willis  .  . 
Peter  Tufts,  jun.  .  . 
Stephen  Francis  .  . 
John  Whitmore  .  . 
Gershom  Swan  .  . 
Isaac  Fox  .... 

The  excess  raised  in  this  tax,  over  the  sum  required,  was 
to  pay  the  collector. 

The  valuation  of  live-stock,  for  rates  in  Medford,  at  this 
time,  were  the  following :  Oxen,  four  years  and  upwards,  in 


£ 

s. 

d. 

0 

0 

4 

John  Bradshor     . 

0 

4 

3 

Jonathan  Tufts     . 

0 

3 

3 

Daniel  Wobdward 

0 

1 

11 

Andrew  Mitchell 

0 

3 

7 

Roger  Scott     .     . 

0 

1 

10 

Edward  Walker  . 

0 

3 

4 

Jacob  Chamberlain 

0 

1 

10 

Joseph  Baker  .     . 

0 

1 

7 

0 

1 

5 

0 

0 

11 

£ 

s. 

d. 

0 

0 

8 

0 

0 

10 

0 

0 

8 

0 

0 

8 

0 

0 

7 

0 

0 

8 

0 

0 

8 

0 

0 

8 

£1  15    8 


412 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFOK.D. 


1677,  X3  ;  in  1687,  £5.  Horses,  three  years  and  upwards, 
in  1677,  £3  ;  in  1687,  X5.  Cows  and  bulls,  four  years  old, 
in  1677,  £2 ;  in  1687,  £3.  Sheep,  above  one  year  old,  in 
1677,  5s.  each ;  in  1687,  8s.  Swine,  above  one  year,  in 
1677,  10s.;  in  1687,  £1. 

The  first  session  of  the  General  Court,  under  the  second 
charter,  began  June  8,  1692  ;  and  they  voted  that  10s.  a  poll, 
and  one-quarter  part  of  the  annual  income  on  all  real  and 
personal  estate  in  the  Province,  be  assessed.  These  taxes, 
assessed  upon  the  Province  by  the  House  of  Representatives 
from  1692  to  1702,  averaged  XI  1,000  per  annum.  Of  this 
sum,  Medford  paid,  in  1692,  £32.  18s. ;  in  1696,  X42 ;  in 
1698,  £20 ;  in  1702,  £19.  Is. ;  while  Maiden  paid,  in  the 
same  years,  £121,  X90,  X45,  and  X48.  Woburn  paid 
X181,  X144,  X75,  and  X85.  Cambridge  paid  X214, 
£189,  X102,  and  £102. 

To  sho«v  a  town-tax  at  this  period,  and  also  the  names 
most  frequently  occurring  in  the  town's  records,  we  here  in- 
sert "a  rate  made  by  the  selectmen,  May  16,  1701,  for  defray- 
ing town-charges  ;  namely,  for  the  deputy,  and  the  laying  in 
of  ammunition ;  and  for  fetching  and  carrying  Mr.  Wood- 
bridge,  and  the  entertaining  of  him." 


Maj.  Nathaniel  Wade 

1 

s. 

6 

d. 

Jacob  Shepherd   .     . 

£ 

0 

s. 

13 

d. 

0 

John  Whitmore    .     . 

0 

6 

8 

Nathaniel  Peirce 

0 

2 

6 

Stephen  Hall,  jun.     . 

0 

7 

5 

James  Tufts     .     .     . 

0 

4 

5 

Eliezer  Wier   .     .     . 

0 

5 

8 

Timothy  Prout      .     . 

0 

1 

6 

John  Bradstreet   .     . 

0 

7 

6 

Mr.  Thomas  Swan    . 

0 

1 

8 

John  Man    .... 

0 

1 

0 

John  Tufts  .... 

0 

2 

4 

Lieut.  Peter  Tufts    . 

1 

5 

10 

Mr.  Joseph  Prout     . 

0 

0 

10 

Ens.  Stephen  Francis 

0 

16 

8 

Francis  Whitmore    . 

0 

4 

0 

Serg.  John  Bradshaw 

0 

11 

5 

Benjamin  Marble 

0 

2 

6 

Mr.  Thomas  Willis  . 

0 

17 

6 

James  Wright       .     . 

0 

2 

6 

Nathaniel  Hall     .     . 

0 

5 

4 

William  Merroe   .     . 

0 

2 

6 

John  Francis   .     .     . 

0 

12 

6 

Thomas  Miler       .     . 

0 

2 

6 

John  Hall,  jun.     .     . 

0 

8 

6 

Mathew  Miler      .     . 

0 

2 

5 

Jonathan  Tufts     .     . 

0 

19 

10 

William  Walden  .     . 

0 

2 

6 

Stephen  Willis,  jun.  . 

0 

6 

8 

Thomas  Clark      .     . 

0 

2 

6 

Stephen  Hall,  sen.     . 

0 

6 

6 

Peter  Seccomb     .     . 

0 

2 

6 

Serg.  Stephen  Willis 

1 

1 

4 

Eben.  Brooks  his  man 

0 

2 

0 

Ebenezer  Brooks 

0 

17 

8 

Benjamin  Peirce  .     . 

0 

2 

0 

Samuel  Brooks     .     . 

0 

Ki 

10 

Samuel  Stone  .     .     . 

0 

2 

0 

Mr.  Richard  Rookes 

0 

7 

0 

William  Paten     .     . 

0 

2 

0 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Wade 

0 

18 

9 

Mr.  Jonathan  Dunster 

0 

1 

8 

Parcill  Hall    .     .     . 

0 

6 

6 

Mr.  John  Hall      .     . 

1 

1 

Ki 

George  Blanchard    . 

0 

3 

6 

413 


The  warrant  issued  to  the  constable  empowered  that  func- 
tionary "to  distrain  the  goods  or  chattels  of  any  person  or 
persons  who  refuse  to  pay ;  and  in  case  there  be  no  goods 
or  chattels,  then  he  is  to  seize  the  body  of  any  person  who 
refuses,  and  commit  him  to  the  county  jail." 

To  show  what  taxes  were  assessed  for,  it  will  be  interest- 
ing to  see  a  record  of  the  entire  debts  of  the  town  of  Med- 
ford,  April  19,  1710.     It  is  as  follows  :  — 

£      s.      d. 

Due  to  Ensign  John  Bradstreet,  for  dining  the  ministers 

thirteen  sabbaths,  at  Is.  6c?.  per  sabbath 0  19     6 

Due  to  Captain  Peter  Tufts,  John  Francis,  Ebenezer 
Brooks,  and  Samuel  Wade,  5s.  per  man, —  paid  to 
Mrs.  Bradstreet,  for  nursing  Rachel  Blanchard      ..100 
Due  to  Ebenezer  Brooks,  for  actions  entered  in  court     .020 
For  taking  a  copy  out  of  the  records,  &c,  about  John 

Man 046 

For  pocket  expenses,  in  tending  court  three  days  ...  0  3  0 
Due  to  Thomas  Willis,  for  sweeping  meeting-house,  1709  0  15  0 
Due  to  Mr.  Samuel  Wade,  for  John  Man's  diet  eleven 

weeks,  at  3s.  per  week 113     0 

Also  boarding  John  Man  three  weeks,  at  4s.  per  week  .  0  12  0 
Also  for  five  weeks'  sickness  in  the  eleven  weeks'  board 

aforesaid 040 

Due  to  Thomas  Hall,  constable,  for  James  Tufts's  head- 
money    0  10     0 

Due  to  Stephen  Willis,  sen.,  for  pocket-money  at  Court 

of  Sessions,  three  days 0     3     0 

Due  to  Ensign  Stephen  Francis,  for  boarding  John  Man 

ten  weeks,  at  4s.  per  week 200 

Due  to  John  Francis,  for  money  paid  to  the  clerk  about 

a  presentment  of  Mistick  Bridge 0     2     6 

For  pocket  expenses  at  court,  three  days,  about  John  Man  0  3  0 
Money  paid  for  searching  the  records  about  John  Man     0     0    9 

£8  13    3 

To  show  the  relative  amount  and  distribution  of  property 
among  the  inhabitants,  the  following  record  of  taxes  paid  by 
each  is  here  inserted :  — 

"Sept.  20,  1711 :  This  list  is  a  county  rate  that  was  made  and 
perfected  by  the  assessors,  in  obedience  to  a  warrant  from  James 
Taylor,  gent.,  treasurer,  for  the  levying  a  tax  on  polls  and  estate, 
both  real  and  personal." 


414 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


Heads. 

Real  estate. 

Personal  estate. 

£       s.      d. 

£       s.      d. 

£      s.      d. 

Lieutenant  Thomas  Will 

is           0   10      0 

1  1G     0 

0    10    11 

Ensign  Stephen  Francis 

1     0     0 

0  16     6 

0    10      2 

John  Francis,  sen. 

0  10     0 

14    0 

0    16    11 

John  Whitmore       .     . 

0  10     0 

0  11     7 

0     7     7 

Francis  Whitmore 

0  10     0 

0  12     9 

0    8     6 

John  Whitmore,  jun.  . 

0  10     0 

0  10     6 

0    8     3 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Wade 

0     0     0 

1  13  10 

1     0     7 

Miss  Elizabeth  Wade 

0     0     0 

0     9     0 

0     0     0 

John  Hall      .... 

0  10     0 

1     1     5 

0  12     4 

Mrs.  Mercy  Wade 

0     0     0 

0  12     4 

0     2     7 

Seth  Richardson     .     . 

0  10     0 

0     6     9 

0     4     9 

Samuel  Kendall      .     . 

0  10    0 

0     6     9 

0     1     6 

Joseph  Blancher     .     . 

0  10     0 

0     5     3 

0     7     0 

Nathaniel  Wilson  .     . 

0  10    0 

0     9     4 

0     1     1 

Samuel  Wade    .     .     . 

0  10     0 

0  19     2 

0     6     9 

John  Tufts     .... 

0    0    0 

0  15     6 

0     0     0 

Stephen  Willis,  jun.     . 

0  10     0 

1     7     0 

0     9     0 

John  Willis    .... 

0  14     0 

0  15     0 

0     8     0 

Thomas  Dill .... 

0  10     0 

0  11     1 

0     3     9 

Nathaniel  Hall  .     .     . 

10     0 

0     4     6 

0     0     0 

Thomas  Willis,  jun.     . 

0  10     0 

0     6     0 

0     6     0 

Benjamin  Peirce    .     . 

0  10    0 

0     5     4 

0     1     0 

Nathaniel  Peirce    .     . 

0  10     0 

0     6     0 

0     2     7 

William  Willis  .     .     . 

0  10     0 

0     11 

0     6     4 

Jonathan  Hall    .     .     . 

0  10    0 

0     8     0 

0     5     7 

Stephen  Hall     .     .     . 

10    0 

0  16     2 

0  12     0 

Pacifall  Hall      .     .     . 

0  10     0 

0  15     0 

0     6     9 

Samuel  Polly     .    .     . 

10    0 

0     3     0 

0     1     6 

Jonathan  Blanchard    . 

0     0     0 

0     3     0 

0     0     0 

Richard  Belsher     .     . 

0    0     0 

0     3     9 

0     0     0 

Peter  Seecomb  .     .     . 

2     0     0 

0  15     9 

0     8     3 

Ebenezer  Nutting  .     . 

0  10     0 

0  12     0 

0     7     1 

Isaac  Farewell  .     .     . 

0  10    0 

0     3     0 

0     1     1 

Peter  Waitt  .... 

0  10     0 

0     0     0 

0    0     0 

Samuel  Polly,  jun. 

0  10    0 

0     0     0 

0     0     0 

Francis  Lock     .     .     . 

0  10     0 

0     0     0 

0     0     0 

Aaron  Blanchard    .     .     . 

0  10     0 

0     0     0 

0     0     0 

Mr.  James  Tufts     .     .     . 

0    0    0 

0     4     6 

0     4     6 

Mr.  Thomas  Tufts       .     . 

0  10     0 

0     6     9 

0     2     8 

Mr.  Samuel  Brooks     .     . 

0  10     0 

1     0    3 

0  10  11 

Mr.  Jonathan  Dunster 

0     0     0 

0     6     9 

0     0    0 

Captain  Josiah  Convers  . 

0    0    0 

0     6     0 

0     0     0 

Jabesh  Brooks   .     .     .     . 

0     0     0 

0     1     1 

0     0     0 

Joseph  Wright  .     .     .     . 

0     0     0 

0     11 

0     0     0 

John  Francis,  jun.  .     . 

0     4     0 

0     0     0 

0     0     0 

Richard  Rookes      .     .     . 

0  10     0 

0     0     0 

0     0     0 

Thomas  Oakes  .     .     .     . 

1     0  10     0 

0     0    0 

0     1     6 

415 


lleads. 

Real  estate. 

Personal  estate. 

£       s.      d. 

£      s.      d. 

£      s.      d. 

James  Tufts 

0     0     0 

0     9     0 

0     0     0 

Stephen  Hall     .... 

0     0     0 

0     2     3 

0     0     0 

John  Albery 

0  10     0 

0     0     0 

0     0     0 

Jonathan  Tufts  .... 

110 

1  14     6 

1  12     3 

Ensign  John  Bradshoe     . 

1     0     0 

0  19     1 

0  13  10 

Thomas  Hall      .... 

0  10     0 

0  10     6 

0     4  11 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Brooks 

10    0 

1     5  11 

1     7     4 

Stephen  Willis,  sen.     .     . 

0  10     0 

1     1     0 

0  10  11 

Captain  Peter  Tufts    .     . 

0  10     0 

2  16     0 

0  19     1 

John  Hall,  jun 

0  10     0 

0     0     0 

0     0     0 

To  judge  accurately  of  taxes  paid  by  our  ancestors  after 
1710,  it  is  needful  to  know  the  rate  of  depreciation  in  the 
"  Province  bills,"  which  were  taken  in  payment  for  taxes. 
In  1710,  one  ounce  of  silver  was  equal  to  8s.  of  these  bills; 
in  1722, 145. ;  in  1732, 19s. ;  in  1742,  28s. ;  and  in  1752,  60s. 

In  July  20,  1720,  the  General  Court  ordered,  that  taxes 
might  be  paid  in  live-stock  and  merchandise,  instead  of 
money ;  and,  from  1720  to  1750,  live-stock  in  Medford 
was  valued,  on  an  average,  as  follows  :  Oxen,  four  years  old, 
£2  each ;  horses,  three  years  old,  £2 ;  bulls  and  cows,  three 
years  old,  £1  10s.;  swine,  above  one  year  old,  8s.  each; 
sheep  and  goats,  3s.  each. 

In  those  towns  which  had  vessels,  a  decked  vessel  was 
valued,  for  taxation,  at  XI.  10s.  per  ton;  and  undecked  ves- 
sels [Medford  lighters],  at  £1  per  ton.  Stock  in  trade  was 
valued  at  one-quarter  of  its  worth ;  male  Indian  and  negro 
slaves,  at  £15  each  ;  female,  at  £10. 

To  show  a  list  of  tax-payers  in  1730,  and  their  relative 
rates,  the  following  town-tax  for  £50 — the  half-yearly  pay 
of  Rev.  Ebenezer  Turell  —  is  inserted  :  — 


Captain  Ebenezer  Brooks 
Mr.  John  Bradshaw    . 
•Deacon  John  Whitmore 
John  Richerson,  Esq. 
Captain  Samuel  Brooks 
Captain  Samuel  Wade 
Thomas  Tufts,  Esq.     . 
Mr.  Peter  Seccombe  . 
Mr.  John  Willis      .     . 
Lieutenant  Stephen  Hall 
Deacon  Thomas  Hall .    . 


Heads 

. 

Real  estate. 

Personal  estate. 

£ 

s. 

d. 

£       s. 

d. 

£ 

s.      d. 

0 

9 

0 

1       1 

0 

0 

9     9 

0 

6 

0 

0  12 

3 

0 

3     9 

0 

3 

0 

0     7 

0 

0 

1     3 

0 

3 

0 

0     8 

2 

0 

1  10 

0 

3 

0 

0  18 

8 

0 

8     4 

0 

6 

0 

0  17 

6 

0 

3     0 

0 

0 

0 

0  18 

4 

0 

4    7 

0 

9 

0 

0  14 

0 

0 

9     4 

0 

3 

0 

0  16 

8 

0, 

6     7 

0 

3 

0 

0  14 

0 

0 

3     4 

0 

3 

0 

0  12 

2 

0 

2    8 

416 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


lea 'I 

3. 

Real  estate. 

£ 

s. 

d. 

£ 

s.      d. 

Deacon  Thomas  Willis    . 

0 

6 

0 

0 

IV   5 

Mr.  Francis  Whitmore 

0 

3 

0 

0 

14     4 

Mr.  John  Whitmore    . 

0 

6 

0 

0 

16    8 

Mr.  William  Patten 

0 

3 

0 

0 

5  10 

Mr.  Jonathan  Hall 

0 

3 

0 

0 

9     4 

Dr.  Simon  Tufts     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

12     3 

Mr.  William  Willis 

0 

3 

0 

0 

11     4 

Mr.  Benjamin  Willis 

0 

3 

0 

0 

14    3 

Mr.  John  Albree    . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

9  11 

Mr.  John  Hall   .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

7     8 

Mr.  Andrew  Hall  . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

8     2 

Mr.  Thomas  Oakes 

0 

6 

0 

0 

18    8 

Joseph  Tufts      .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

15     6 

John  Bradshaw,  jun. 

0 

6 

0 

0 

9     4 

Jonathan  Bradshaw 

0 

3 

0 

0 

10     6 

Nathaniel  Hall  .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

9     4 

Nathaniel  Francis  . 

0 

3* 

0 

0 

9     6 

Stephen  Francis     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

4    0 

Samuel  Polly     .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

4     1 

Benjamin  Tufts 

0 

6 

0 

0 

5  10 

Aaron  Blanchard    . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

4     1 

Benjamin  Weber    . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

4     1 

Jonathan  Weber     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

4     1 

William  Benford     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0     0 

John  Atwood      .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0     0 

John  Tufts 

0 

6 

0 

0 

4     1 

Joseph  Francis  .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

1     3 

Stephen  Greenleaf 

0 

6 

0 

0 

4    4 

Richard  Waite  .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

9     4 

Jacob  Polly  .     .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

2     4 

Samuel  Turner  .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

3     9 

Oliver  Atwood  .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

1     9 

Joseph  Weber    .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0     0 

Ebenezer  Francis  . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0     0 

John  Fossit   .     .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

2     0 

Enoch  Greenleaf    . 

0 

6 

0 

0 

0     0 

John  Stimson     .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0     0 

William  Patten,  jun.  . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

4     1 

Ebenezer  Brooks,  jun. 

0 

3 

0 

0 

9  11 

Stephen  Hall,  jun.  .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

8     3 

Robert  Cresson  .     .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0     0 

Daniel  Paine      .     .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0     0 

Jonathan  Hall,  jun.     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0     0 

Thomas  Phillebrown  . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

4     1 

Samuel  Bradshaw  .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

1     7 

Stephen  Bradshaw 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0     0 

William  Watsen     .     . 

0 

3 

0 

0 

3     7 

TAXES. 

417 

Heads. 

Real  estate. 

i  Personal  estate. 

£      s.      d. 

£      s.      d. 

£      s.      d. 

Jonathan  Watsen    .     . 

0     6     0 

0       4       9 

0      0       4 

Thomas  Dill       .     .     . 

0     3     0 

0     0     0 

0     0     0 

Jonathan  Polly 

0     3     0 

0     2     4 

0     0     4 

Jonathan  Tufts 

0     3     0 

0     0     0 

0     0     0 

Stephen  Patten 

0     3     0 

0     0     0 

0     0     0 

Eliot  Patten 

0     3     0 

0     0     0 

0     0     0 

William  Hall 

0     3     0 

0     0     0 

0    0     0 

Edward  Hall 

0     3     0 

0     0     0 

0     0     0 

John  Elder    . 

0     3     0 

0     2     4 

0     0     4 

William  Pelam 

0     3     0 

0     2     4 

0     0     4 

William  Waite 

0     3     0 

0     0     0 

0     0    0 

Deacon  Jacob  Parker 

0     3     0 

0     2     4 

0    0     0 

Thomas  Graves      .     .     . 

0     3     0 

0     3     6 

0     1     3 

Ebenezer  Tufts       .     .     . 

0     6     0 

0     0     0 

0     0     0 

Thomas  Brooks       .     .     . 

0     3     0 

0     0     0 

0     0     0 

John  Fillebrown     .     .     . 

0     3     0 

0     0     0 

0     0     0 

Richard  Martin       .     .     . 

0     3     0 

0     4    1 

0     0     5 

Jonathan  Tomson  .     .     . 

0     3     0 

0     i     1 

0     0     4 

Edward  Oakes  .     .     .     . 

0     3     0 

0  12  10 

0     3     1 

Caleb  Brooks     .     .     .     . 

0     3     0 

0     13 

0     0     0 

Matthew  Ellis    .     .     .     . 

0     0     0 

0    3     4 

0     5     8 

Abner  Harris     .     .     .     . 

0     0    0 

0     3     6 

0     0     5 

Jonathan  Tufts  .     .     .     . 

0     0    0 

0     3     9 

0     0     0 

James  Wright    .     .     .     . 

0     0    0 

0     0  11 

0    0     0 

James  Tufts 

0     0    0 

0    3  10 

0     0     0 

Joseph  Wright  .     .     .     . 

0    0     0 

0     0  11 

0     0     0 

William  Symmes    .     .     . 

0     0     0 

0     12 

0     0    0 

Joseph  Damon  .... 

0     0     0 

0     0     5 

0     0     0 

Jonathan  Dunster  .     .     . 

0     0     0 

0     4    8 

0     0     0 

Henry  Dunster  .... 

0    0    0 

0     2     2 

0     0    0 

David  Dunster  .... 

0     0     0 

0     4     8 

0    0    0 

Jacob  Wayman  .... 

0     0     0 

0     0  10 

0     0     0 

Samuel  Francis      .     .     . 

0     0     0 

0     4    0 

0     0     0 

Samuel  Page     .... 

0     0     0 

0     0  10 

0     0     0 

Widow  Mary  Tufts     .     . 

0     0     0 

0     12 

0    0     0 

John  Francis      .... 

0     6     0 

0     9  11 

0     2  10 

Benjamin  Parker   .     .     . 

0    3     0 

0  10     6 

0     0     7 

Richard  Sprague     .     .     . 

0     6    0 

0     5     1 

0     0  10 

Joseph  Tomson  .... 

0     6     0 

0     4     1 

0     0    4 

Samuel  Brooks,  j 

un.   .     . 

0     3     0 

0     4    8 

0     3     7 

Totalt  ninety-eight  persons. 
As  a  specimen  of  the  town  expenses  and  tax  for  one  year, 
let  us  take  1747.     They  are  as  follows  (old  tenor) :  — 

Balance  due  the  town  from  last  account £41     5     3 

Whole  town-tax  for  1747 490  14    4 


£531  19     7 


418 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


Treasurer  paid,  during  the  year  1747,  by  orders  from 

said  town £431  15  11 

Balance  due  from  treasurer 100     3     8 

Errors  excepted.     Pr. 

Joseph  Tufts,      )  _ 

m  -r»  r  Committee. 

Thomas  Brooks,] 

June  5,  1753,  the  General  Court  laid  a  tax  on  coaches, 
chariots,  chaises,  calashes,  and  riding-chairs.  Medford,  in 
1754,  had  1  chariot,  7  chaises,  and  31  chairs.  Cambridge, 
during  the  same  time,  had  9  chaises  and  36  chairs.  "Woburn 
had  2  chaises  and  9  chairs.  Maiden  had  2  chaises  and  20 
chairs. 

During  the  revolutionary  struggle,  debts  were  accumu- 
lated to  vast  amounts  ;  and,  on  the  26th  February,  1781,  the 
Legislature  stated,  that  £950,000,  specie  value,  were  needed 
to  meet  the  annual  current  expenditures,  £320,000  of  which 
were  to  be  discharged  by  taxes.  At  such  a  time,  when  par- 
simony would  have  been  crime,  as  timidity  would  have  been 
treason,  our  patriotic  ancestors  marched  nobly  forward,  as 
their  prompt  payment  of  the  following  taxes  testify.  In 
1781,  Medford  paid  £1,177.  10s.;  in  1786,  £1,016.  5s.; 
in  1791,  £88.  6s.  lid.  Ratable  polls  in  Medford  (1784) 
were  223. 

List  of  occupiers  of  houses,  in  1798,  who  are  taxed  for 
more  than  $100  :  — - 


Samuel  Albree. 

Asa  Adams. 

Benjamin  Hovey. 

Benjamin  Teal. 

Caleb  Brooks. 

John  Bishop. 

Abigail  Bishop. 

Samuel  Swan. 

Ebenezer  Thompson. 

Nathan  "Wait. 

Thomas  Bradshaw,  jun. 

Nathaniel  Mead. 

Zachariah  Shed. 

Leonard  Bucknam. 

Spencer  Bucknam. 

John  Bacon. 

Abigail  Brooks  and  Rufus  Frost. 

John  Brooks  and  Mary  Patten. 

John  Brooks. 

Jethro  Townsend. 

Caleb  Brooks,  jun. 


Thomas  Brooks. 
S.  Buel  and  Augustus  Hunt. 
Thomas  Bradshaw. 
Andrew  Blanchard. 
Timothy  Newell. 
Hezekiah  Blanchard,  jun. 
Ruth  Benford. 
Jonathan  Brooks. 
William  Bradbury. 
Francis  Burns. 
Marah  Billings. 
Hezekiah  Blanchard. 
David  Bucknam. 
John  Chadwick. 
John  Cutter. 
Miles  S.  Wilson. 
Jonathan  Dunham. 
Aaron  Crowell. 
William  Earl. 
Deborah  Francis. 
Sarah  Fulton. 


TAXES. 


419 


Henry  Fowle. 

Benjamin  Floyd. 

Benjamin  Floyd,  jun. 

Isaac  Floyd. 

John  Fowl. 

Gardner  Greenleaf. 

Isaac  Greenleaf. 

Edmund  T.  Gates. 

Ebenezer  Hall. 

Nathl.  Hall  and  Susan  Patten. 

Willis  Hall. 

Abigail  Hadley. 

Samuel  Hadley. 

Benjamin  Hall. 

Benjamin  Hall,  jun. 

Ephraim  Hall. 

Andrew  Hall. 

John  B.  Fitch. 

And.  Blanchard  and  A.  Winship. 

Timothy  Dexter. 

Caleb  and  Simon  Blanchard. 

Jane  Hall. 

Ebenezer  Hall,  jun. 

John  Blanchard  &  James  Floyd. 

Tab.  Blanchard  &  J.  Gleason. 

Ebenezer  Hall,  4th. 

Samuel  Coverly. 

Eichard  Hall. 

Parker  and  Watson. 

Joseph  Pratt. 

J.  Pratt  and  M.  Tufts. 

Jos.  P.  Hall. 

Stephen  Hall. 

Thomas  Hadley. 

James  Convers. 

Jonas  Dixon. 

Duncan  Ingraham. 

John  C.  Jones. 

John  Walker  and  Jos.  Tysick. 

Joanna  Kidder. 

Samuel  Kidder. 

Abner  Peirce. 

Thomas  Learned. 

William  Lowder. 

John  Leathe. 

Jude  Symonds. 

David  Osgood. 

Josiah  Polly. 


Jonathan  Porter. 

Isaac  Pratt. 

Thomas  Hewes. 

Benjamin  Reed. 

Peter  Tufts. 

James  Tufts. 

G.  Williams  &  Dan.  Farrington. 

William  Bucknum. 

Sam.  Hall  and  John  Greenleaf. 

J.  Bannister  &  Lucy  Pritchard. 

Jeduthan  Richardson. 

Joshua  Symonds. 

John  Symmes. 

Josiah  Symmes. 

Ebenezer  Symonds. 

Thomas  Savel. 

Daniel  Symonds. 

Samuel  Thompson. 

Samuel  Teal. 

Samuel  Teal. 

Samuel  Tufts,  jun. 

Abigail  Tarbutt. 

Benjamin  Tufts. 

Gershom  Tufts. 

Benjamin  Tufts,  jun. 

Jacob  Tufts. 

Hutchinson  Tufts. 

Peter  Tufts. 

Isaac  Tufts. 

Daniel  Tufts. 

Jonathan  Tufts. 

Ebenezer  Tufts. 

James  Tufts. 

Gershom  Teal. 

Watts  Turner. 

Hutchinson  Tufts,  jun. 

Eleazer  Usher. 

Nathaniel  Watts. 

Ebenezer  Williams. 

Isaac  Warren. 

Gardner  Greenleaf. 

Joseph  Wyman. 

James  Wyman. 

John  Wade. 

Convers  Francis. 

John  Mead  and  John  Williams. 

Webster. 

Joseph  Wyman. 


420  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


John  Hall  and  Joseph  Tufts. 
Francis  Wait. 
James  Kidder. 


Benj.  Pratt  and Brown. 

Isaac  Greenleaf  and  H.  Popkins. 
John  Wright. 
Jonathan  Godden. 

The  inhabitants  occupied  one  hundred  and  thirty-six 
houses,  which  were  valued  at  $74,032.80  ;  making  an  average 
value  of  $544  each.  The  town  valuation  of  all  other  proper- 
ty was  $160,116.60.  Taxes  were  assessed  on  4,608  acres  of 
land. 

We  may  close  these  tables  of  taxes  by  inserting  the  State 
valuation  tables  for  seven  decades,  from  1790  to  1850  inclu- 
sive. Medford  stands  thus  :  In  1790,  its  State  valuation  was 
$9,441.68;  in  1800,  $15,036,08;  in  1810,  $26,311.19;  in 
1820,  $30,507.84;  in  1830,  $931,050;  in  1840,  $1,095,195.31; 
in  1850,  real  estate,  $1,212,551.50;  personal,  $915,919.  In 
these  same  years,  Cambridge  stands  thus  :  In  1790,  $25,291.- 
63  ;  in  1800,  $32,329.67  ;  in  1810,  $30,477.35  ;  in  1820, 
$61,828.88;  in  1830,  $1,732,048;  in  1840,  $4,479,501.- 
43.  Woburn,  in  1790:  $11,070.32;  in  1800,  $11,698.27; 
in  1810,  $13,172.63  ;  in  1820,  $16,490.54  ;  in  1830,  $455,- 
030;  in  1840,  $687,388.09.  Maiden,  in  1790:  $7,486.81; 
in  1800,  $11,932;  in  1810,  $15,858.34;  in  1820,  $19,622; 
in  1830,  $360,878;  in  1840,  $586,136.15. 

These  tables  of  taxes  prove  how  Medford,  from  small  be- 
ginnings, gradually  increased  in  numbers  and  wealth.  There 
was  never  any  sudden  development  of  its  resources,  but  a 
steadily  increasing  use  of  its  natural  advantages.  Its  march 
became  more  and  more  rapid  as  we  approach  the  nineteenth 
century,  when  its  increase  and  prosperity  were  equal  to  any 
town  in  the  State. 

As  the  records  of  the  first  forty  years  of  the  town  are  lost, 
we  have  hunted  in  every  crevice  and  corner  to  find  repre- 
sentative facts  belonging  to  that  period  ;  and,  after  availing  of 
each  fragmentary  tradition,  we  have  fixed  on  the  taxes  as- 
sessed by  the  General  Court  and  county,  as  indicating  with 
most  precision  the  ability  and  condition  of  the  earliest  settlers  ; 
and,  having  discovered  their  ability  and  condition,  it  is  not 
difficult  to  imagine  their  labors,  habits,  and  advancement. 
We  have  thus  taken  the  taxes  as  our  lighthouse,  to  guide  us 
along  the  unmapped  coast  of  our  new  settlement. 

In  the  record  of  taxes,  one  occasionally  finds  strange  facts. 
Here  is  one:  "June  27,  1695.  As  an  unusual  requisition, 
females  who  earned  a  livelihood  were  taxed  each  two  shil- 


MAP.  POST-OFFICE.  421 

lings,  being  half  what  the  males  were  assessed  a  head,  in  the 
tax  of  this  date." 

In  our  town-records  we  find  the  following  notices  side  by 
side:  "May  5,  1750:  Voted  to  abate  Thomas  Brooks, 
jun.'s  rates  (<£4.  13s.  4d.,  old  tenor),  he  being  not  of  age." 
"  Voted  to  abate  Lieutenant  Stephen  Hall's  rates  for  his  head 
(<£3.  5s.,  old  tenor),  he  being  very  old."  In  our  earliest  his- 
tory, when  the  inhabitants  had  raised  a  certain  sum  in  advance, 
two  men,  Nathan  Lyon  and  Roger  Scott,  who  had  contri- 
buted their  share,  soon  after  moved  out  of  town.  At  the 
next  town-meeting,  it  was  unanimously  voted  to  refund  to 
these  men  what  they  had  paid. 


Oct.  13,  1853 :  The  town  voted  to  authorize  the  select- 
men to  treat  with  Mr.  Henry  F.  "Walling,  of  Boston,  con- 
cerning a  complete  map  of  Medford.  This  skilful  engineer 
engaged  to  furnish  one  for  $750.*  It  is  now  just  finished ; 
and  must  give  entire  satisfaction,  both  as  to  its  accuracy  and 
beauty.  Its  size  is  thirty  by  thirty-seven  inches,  and  its  scale 
eight  inches  to  a  mile.  It  shows  the  entire  town  at  one 
glance;  while  it  gives  correctly  the  topography,  the  hills, 
woods,  streams,  ponds,  streets,  mills,  stores,  dwellings, 
churches,  &c. ;  it  gives  the  names  of  each  householder  in  the 
place  of  his  residence ;  it  represents  all  the  real  estate  of 
the  town,  and  shows  the  number  of  square  feet  in  each  lot. 
This  last  fact  will  enable  the  assessors  to  apportion  the  tax 
more  justly  than  they  otherwise  could,  and  will  guide  com- 
missioners in  laying  out  roads.  The  map  is  accompanied  by 
eleven  other  maps  or  sections,  on  a  scale  of  two  hundred  feet 
to  an  inch,  on  sheets  of  twenty-six  to  thirty-nine  inches,  and 
are  bound  together  in  an  atlas.  Should  a  copy  of  this  map 
be  preserved  through  two  hundred  years,  it  would  then  pro- 
bably show  that  not  even  one  lot  of  land  would  be  possessed 
by  any  descendants  of  its  present  owner. 


POST-OFFICE. 

By  examination   of  the    books   rescued  from   the  fire  of 
1836  at   "Washington,  it  appears   that   the   first   office  esta- 


422  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

blished  in  Medford  was  in  September,  1797.  The  first  office 
was  on  the  spot  now  occupied  by  the  town-house.  The  post- 
masters have  been  as  follows  :  — 

Samuel  Buel, appointed  ....  Sept.         1797 

William  Rogers,  jun., July    21,1813 

William  Rogers, Oct.     20,  1818 

Luther  Angier, May    17,  1828 

Samuel  S.  Green,  jun., April     6,  1839 

Luther  Angier, April     8,  1841 

Samuel  S.  Green, July    19,  1845 

Alexander  Gregg, July    30,  1847 

James  T.  Floyd,  jun., May    29,  1849 , 

James  C.  Winneck  (the  present  incumbent),  .     .  Aug.    23,  1853 

A  post-office  was  established  in  West  Medford  in  1853, 
and  its  daily  mail  is  an  increasing  benefit  to  a  growing  vil- 
lage. The  first  postmaster  was  James  M.  Sanford;  the 
second,  Thaddeus  A.  Baldwin ;  and  the  third,  the  present 
one,  is  Franklin  Patch. 


For  more  than  a  hundred  years,  all  the  land  travel  to  Bos- 
ton from  Maine,  from  the  eastern  parts  of  New  Hampshire, 
and  the  north-eastern  parts  of  Massachusetts,  passed  through 
Medford ;  and  its  distance  from  Boston  made  it  a  convenient 
stopping-place  for  travelling  traders.  Hence  the  need  of 
public-houses.  No  town  in  the  State,  of  its  size,  had  so 
many  in  number,  or  better  in  quality  ;  and  they  were  all 
placed  conveniently  on  the  great  thoroughfare. 

In  early  times,  no  one  could  "  keep  tavern "  without  a 
special  license  from  the  court.  The  form  was  as  follows : 
"Nathaniel  Pierce,  of  Medford,  is  permitted  to  sell  liquors 
unto  such  sober-minded  neighbors  as  he  shall  think  meet, 
so  as  he  sell  not  less  than  the  quantity  of  a  gallon  at  a  time 
to  one  person,  and  not  in  smaller  quantities  by  retail  to  the 
occasioning  of  drunkenness." 

The  first  tavern  of  which  we  have  any  record  was  built 
by  Major  Jonathan  Wade,  about  1690,  and  kept  by  Nathaniel 
Pierce.  It  stood  a  few  rods  south  of  the  bridge,  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Main  and  Short  Streets,  and,  for  more  than  a  century, 
offered  its  accommodations  to  the  public.  It  was  bought  by 
Colonel  Royal,  and  had  on  its  sign  a  representation  of  Admi- 


423 


ral  Vernon.  Its  owner  wished  to  let  it ;  and  his  advertise- 
ment, dated  Dec.  26,  1743,  reads  thus :  "  Any  persons  before- 
handed,  so  as  to  lay  in  a  good  stock  of  liquors  and  other 
necessaries  for  a  tavern,  may  meet  with  proper  encourage- 
ment from  Isaac  lloyal,  Esq."  Accompanying  the  above  was 
this  notice :  "  A  person  has  a  handsome  mourning-coach, 
with  a  pair  of  good  horses,  to  let  out  to  any  funeral,  at  ten 
shillings,  old  tenor,  each  funeral."  This  house  acquired 
great  popularity,  especially  when  kept  by  Roger  Billings,  in 
1775.  It  was  afterwards  kept  by  Mr.  James  Tufts  and  Son. 
It  became  a  private  dwelling  about  half  a  century  ago,  and 
so  continued  till  its  destruction  by  fire,  Nov.  21,  1850. 

The  "  Fountain  House,"  next  in  order  of  time,  was  built 
as  early  as  1725  ;  and  yet  stands,  a  comfortable  residence. 
Being  well  placed  on  the  great  thoroughfare  between  Salem 
and  Boston,  it  had  extensive  patronage.  It  aimed  to  be  a 
little  superior  to  other  houses.  Its  sign  represented  two  men 
shaking  hands,  who  were  called  palaverers ;  and  hence  the 
house  first  wore  the  name  of  Palaver  Tavern.  The  two  large 
trees  in  front  had  each  a  platform  in  its  branches  ;  and  these 
platforms  were  connected  with  each  other  and  with  the  house 
by  wooden  bridges,  and  were  used  much  in  summer  as  places 
of  resort  for  drinking  punch  and  cordials.  Tea-parties  were 
sometimes  gathered  there.  It  was  called  Fountain  House 
from  having  a  new  sign  representing  a  fountain  pouring 
punch  into  a  large  bowl. 

The  third  tavern  built  in  Medford  stood  on  the  west  side 
of  Main  Street,  about  eight  rods  south  of  the  bridge,  and 
was  the  largest  in  town.  It  was  built  by  Mr.  Benjamin 
Parker,  town-treasurer,  as  early  as  1745,  and  was  sold  by 
him  to  Hezekiah  Blanchard,  who  added  a  large  dancing-hall 
to  it,  and  called  it  "Union  Hall."  He  left  it  to  his  son 
Hezekiah,  who  continued  it  a  tavern  till  his  death. 

The  fourth  tavern  was  at  the  foot  of  Rock  Hill,  at  the 
West  End,  and  sometimes  called  the  Rock  Hill  Tavern. 
Among  its  keepers  were  Messrs.  "  Usher,  Wesson,  Frost, 
and  Putnam."  It  was  a  favorite  resort  for  teamsters,  and 
gained  great  popularity. 

The  new  house,  built  by  Mr.  Jonathan  Porter  in  the  mar- 
ket-place, was  opened  as  a  tavern,  but  did  not  long  continue 
as  such. 

The  "  Medford  House,"  standing  on  the  north-east  corner  of 
Main  and  Spring  Streets,  and  now  the  only  public-house  in 


424  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

the  town,  was  built  by  Mr.  Andrew  Blanchard  in  1804,  and 
attained  great  popularity  under  its  first  keeper,  Mr.  Jaquith. 
It  was  furnished  with  four  bowling-alleys,  which  proved  too 
great  a  temptation  to  some.  At  a  later  period,  the  house 
came  into  the  possession  of  a  company  of  gentlemen,  who 
were  resolved  to  have  it  kept  on  temperance  principles. 
This  plan  proved  more  moral  than  profitable ;  and  it  passed 
from  the  hands  of  the  company  to  its  present  Italian  owner. 

The  taverns  of  olden  time  were  the  places  of  resort  for 
gentlemen  ;  and  one  consequence  was,  good  suppers  and 
deep  drinking.  They  also  performed  the  office  of  newspa- 
pers. In  1760,  Medford  passed  the  following  vote:  — 
"  That  their  names,  posted  on  the  several  tavern-doors,  shall 
be  a  sufficient  notice  for  jurors."  Saturday  afternoon  was 
the  time  when  men  came  from  all  quarters  of  the  town  to 
see  and  hear  all  they  could  at  the  tavern.  For  many  years, 
the  favorite  arena  was  at .  Mr.  Blanchard's,  where  politics 
and  theology,  trade,  barter,  and  taxes,  were  all  mixed  up 
together  over  hot  flip  and  strong  toddy. 

Thq  taverns  served  also  as  places  for  marketing.  During 
most  of  the  winter,  they  were  filled  every  night  with  farmers 
from  Vermont  and  New  Hampshire,  who  had  brought  their 
pork,  butter,  grain,  seeds,  and  poultry  to  market.  Most 
families  supplied  themselves  through  these  opportunities,  and 
purchased  the  best  articles  at  moderate  prices. 

Landlords  could  not  grow  rich  very  fast  on  country  custom. 
The  travelling  farmer  brought  all  his  food  for  himself  in  a 
box,  and  that  for  his  horse  in  a  bag.  He  therefore  paid  only 
twelve  cents  for  his  bed,  and  as  much  for  horse-keeping.  It 
was  not  uncommon  to  have  six  days'  expenses  amount  only 
to  two  dollars  ! 

Taverns  seemed  to  subserve  all  purposes.  Auctions,  thea- 
tricals, legerdemain,  caucuses,  military  drills,  balls,  and 
dancing-schools,  all  came  in  place  at  the  tavern.  Especially 
sleigh-riding  parties  found  them  convenient.  Medford  was 
just  about  far  enough  from  Boston  to  tempt  a  party  to  a  ride 
on  a  pleasant  moonlight  evening.  Scarcely  one  such  evening 
passed  without  witnessing  a  gathering  of  young  people,  who 
brought  with  them  their  "  fiddler,"  or  procured  our  "  Gree- 
nough ; "  and  who  danced  from  seven  to  ten,  then  took  a 
hearty  supper,  and  reached  Boston  at  twelve.  New  forms 
of  trade  and  amusement  have  almost  wholly  displaced  these 
former  customs. 


BURYING -GROUNDS.  ,  425 

Medford  was  favored  in  good  tavern-keepers.  Journeying 
in  former  days,  one  found  queer  specimens  of  humanity 
among  this  unique  class.  Generally,  they  were  only  varia- 
tions of  Yankee  Doodle.  Some  landlords  were  so  full  of 
sunshine  that  it  was  June  all  the  year  round ;  others  had 
minds  so  frost-bitten  that  there  was  no  hope  for  you,  except 
in  the  January  thaw.  Here  was  one  so  anxious  to  oblige 
that  he  would  spring  to  throw  a  lasso  round  the  moon,  if  you 
wished  it ;  and  there  another  so  cross,  that  putting  a  question 
to  him  was  like  squeezing  a  lemon. 


BURYING-GROUNDS. 

The  places  used  by  the  first  settlers  of  Medford  for  the 
burial  of  the  dead  are  not  positively  known.  Whether  from 
unwillingness  to  follow  England's  example,  in  providing 
expensive  and  well-secured  graveyards,  or  from  their  inability 
to  do  so,  we  cannot  say ;  but  the  fact  is  clear,  that  such  pro- 
visions for  the  dead  were  not  made.  The  oldest  gravestones 
in  the  present  graveyard,  near  Gravelly  Bridge,  were  brought 
from  England,  and  are  remarkable  for  their  width,  thickness, 
and  weight.  The  oldest  bears  the  date  of  1691.  It  may  be 
that  some  of  our  gardens  are  cemeteries,  and  that  from 
human  soil  we  gather  our  daily  bread,  while  the  spade  and 
ploughshare  lacerate  the  relics  of  our  ancestors. 

March  20,  1705  :  "  Put  to  vote,  whether  the  selectmen  shall  dis- 
course Mr.  Dudley  Wade,  referring  to  the  proposals  made  this 
meeting  by  Stephen  Willis,  jun.,  in  said  Wade's  behalf,  respecting 
the  burying-place  in  Medford,  and  make  return  thereof  to  the  town 
at  the  next  town's  meeting.     Voted  in  the  affirmative." 

It  does  not  appear  what  this  proposition  was,  nor  what 
action  the  town  had  upon  it.  Probably  it  was  a  proposal  to 
sell  the  town  some  land  for  a  place  of  burial;  and  we  pre- 
sume it  was  accepted,  because,  May  15,  1717,  we  find  the 
following  record :  — 

"  Put  to  vote,  whether  the  town  will  choose  a  committee,  to  join 
with  the  selectmen,  to  view  some  land  offered  by  Mr.  Aaren  Cleav- 
land  and  John  Willis,  for  the  enlargement  of  the  burying-place  near 
Mistick  Bridge ;  and  bring  in  a  report  to  the  town  of  the  same,  at 
the  next  town-meeting,  both  of  the  price  of  said  land,  and  the  con- 
venience of  the  same  for  the  use  aforesaid." 
54 


426  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOJID. 

This  passed  in  the  affirmative  ;  and  the  selectmen,  Captain 
Tufts,  Deacon  Willis,  Deacon  Whitmore,  Ensign  Francis, 
Captain  Brooks,  and  Ensign  Hall,  were  appointed  the  com- 
mittee to  plan  the  enlargement  proposed.  The  committee 
reported  June  10th  of  the  next  month,  when  the  town  passed 
the  following  vote  :  — 

"  That  the  town  will  give  Mr.  Aaron  Cleavland  and  John  Willis, 
for  a  small  parcel  of  land,  for  an  addition  to  the  burying-place,  lying 
betwixt  Mistick  River  and  Gravelly  Bridge,  after  the  rate  of  thirty- 
two  pounds  per  acre." 

The  portion  they  bought  cost  six  pounds. 

May  12,  1718:  "  Put  to  vote,  whether  the  burying-place,  some 
time  past  bought  of  Mr.  Aaron  Cleavland,  be  continued  in  said 
Cleavland's  hands,  as  to  the  herbage,  until  the  town  give  further 
order ;  and,  when  the  town  see  cause  to  fence  it,  it  shall  be  fenced 
at  the  town's  proper  cost ;  and  whether  that,  forthwith,  a  board 
fence  be  erected  at  the  front  of  the  land,  with  a  gate  and  lock. 
Voted  in  the  affirmative." 

This  vote  would  lead  us  to  infer  that  the  enclosure  was 
ill  cared  for ;  and  the  need  of  new  fences  is  learned  from  the 
vote  of  Nov.  26,  1733,  which  was  as  follows:  "Voted  to 
have  the  front  of  the  burying-place  fenced  in."  At  the  same 
meeting,  they  directed  "  that  the  fence  should  be  made  of 
good  cedar  posts,  white-pine  boards,  with  handsome  double 
gates,  colored  red."  We  apprehend  that  extraordinary  care 
was  not  fashionable.  One  might  infer  that  the  "  front "  only 
was  secured  by  a  fence.  From  that  day  to  the  beginning  of 
the  present  century,  it  was  not  unusual  to  let  these  precious, 
and  we  may  add  sacred,  spots  be  exposed  to  the  visits  of 
vagrant  animals. 

May  12,  1785:  "Voted  that  no  cattle  be  permitted  to 
graze  in  the  burying-ground." 

The  "  Old  Burying  Ground,"  as  it  was  called,  being  near 
the  most  populous  part  of  Medford,  was  better  defended  by 
walls  than  was  common  in  many  towns ;  yet  we  remember 
the  wall  on  its  east  side,  as  low,  broken,  and  insufficient. 

March  5,  1739  :  It  is,  for  the  first  time,  proposed  to  build 
tombs ;  and  the  north  side  of  the  graveyard  is  designated  as 
the  most  proper  place.  None  were  built  until  many  years 
later. 

The  town  passed  the  following  vote,  May  11,  1786: 
"  Voted  to  give  liberty  to  any  person  to  build  a  tomb  in  the 


burying -GROUNDS.  427 

burying-ground."  This  custom  of  burying  the  dead  in  tombs 
grew  so  fast  and  strong  that  almost  every  family  had  a  tomb, 
or  part  of  one.  This  prevented  the  erection  of  gravestones, 
and  thereby  deprived  posterity  of  all  the  knowledge  derived 
from  these  authentic  records.  It  was  the  custom,  in  the  ear- 
lier times,  for  a  family  to  choose  the  spot  in  the.  burying- 
ground  where  they  would  gather  their  dead  ;  and  for  others 
to  invade  this  spot  was  considered  an  outrage  on  social  rights 
and  Christian  feelings.  In  the  old  burying-ground,  there 
are  many  remains  of  this  arrangement ;  and  we  trust  that  no 
sacrilegious  hand  will  now  be  laid  on  these  sacred  relics.  In 
the  south-west  corner  of  that  ground,  the  slaves  were  buried ; 
but  no  monumental  stones  were  raised !  Are  there  as  many 
gravestones  now  standing  within  the  old  burying-ground  as 
were  there  fifty  years  ago  ?  We  think  not.  Where  are  they  ? 
Can  the  mouths  of  the  tombs  answer  ? 

There  were  six  tombs  built  in  1767  by  private  gentlemen. 
Benjamin  Floyd  was  the  builder.  They  are  those  nearest  the 
front  gate,  on  its  western  side,  and  are  under  the  sidewalk  of 
the  street.  The  bricks  of  which  they  are  built  were  made 
in  the  yard  west  of  Rock  Hill.  The  common  price  of  a  tomb 
has  been  one  hundred  and  two  dollars. 

Though  many  new  tombs  had  been  built,  and  some  little 
additional  space  secured  in  the  old  burying-ground,  still  there 
was  need  of  further  accommodations  for  burial ;  and  the  town 
therefore  voted,  May  11,  1812,  to  request  the  selectmen  to 
consider  what  further  provisions  could  be  made.  This  led 
to  the  appointment  of  a  committee  in  May,  1813.  A  new 
burying-place  seemed  to  be  necessary ;  and  the  committee  so 
reported.  No  definite  action  was  had  until  May,  1816,  when 
another  committee  reported,  that  the  land  which  the  town  had 
purchased  in  Cross  Street,  near  Mr.  Turner's  ship-yard,  for  the 
position  of  an  alms-house,  had  better  be  used  as  a  burying- 
ground.  The  town  acceded ;  and  then  ordered  that  the  land 
be  laid  out  in  lots,  that  a  proper  fence  be  built  around  it,  and 
that  trees  be  planted  in  such  number  and  order  as  to  make 
the  enclosure  appear  as  such  a  place  should. 

March  7,  1853 :  Voted  to  remove  the  pound  on  Cross 
Street,  and  extend  the  burial-ground  to  the  line  of  said  street, 
and  build  thereon  a  suitable  iron  fence,  with  stone  base- 
ment. 

The  next  movement  for  another  burying-ground  was 
March  6, 1837,  when  the  town  passed  the  following :  "  Voted 


428  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

that  the  article  relative  to  purchasing  land  for  a  burial-ground, 
in  the  easterly  part  of  the  town,  be  indefinitely  postponed." 
For  many  years,  the  eastern  wall  of  the  old  burying- 
ground  was  broken  and  insufficient.  The  writer  of  this 
directed  the  attention  of  the  Hon.  Peter  C.  Brooks  to  the 
subject  in  1846 :  the  consequence  was  an  offer  of  five  hun- 
dred dollars  from  that  gentleman  to  the  town,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  building  a  granite  wall,  reaching  from  the  Baptist 
meeting-house  through  the  whole  eastern  front  of  the  ground. 
The  town  accepted  the  offer,  and  voted  thanks,  Nov.  8,  1847. 
There  was  a  strip  of  land,  twenty  feet  or  more,  added  here 
to  the  old  limits  ;  and  the  new  granite  wall  encloses  it.  This 
strip  was  laid  out  in  lots,  and  sold  at  auction  Aug.  3,  1848. 
Mr.  Brooks  had  a  lot  reserved  for  him  ;  and  he  chose  the 
central  one,  and  urged  a  relative  to  purchase  the  one  conti- 
guous on  the  north,  that  we  might  be  near  our  early  ances- 
tors, who  are  buried  a  few  feet  west  of  these  enclosures.  We 
trust  that  future  generations  will  cherish  so  much  reverence 
for  antiquity  as  will  secure  the  ashes  of  their  ancestors  from 
removal  or  neglect. 

The  establishment  of  the  cemetery  of  Mount  Auburn  has 
created  in  this  neighborhood  a  strong  preference  for  such 
burial-places ;  and  Medford  resolved  to  have  one.  The  fol- 
lowing was  passed,  Nov.  13,  1848  :  "Voted  that  the  subject- 
matter  of  the  fifth  article  in  the  warrant,  relative  to  procuring 
additional  land  for  burial  purposes,  be  referred  to  a  committee 
of  five,  to  examine  locations,  obtain  prices,  &c,  and  to  report 
at  the  next  March  meeting." 

Nov.  12,  1849  :  The  committee  reported  it  expedient  to 
buy  ten  and  a  half  acres  of  land,  at  fifty  dollars  per  acre, 
of  Leonard  Bucknam.  The  town  concurred,  and  empowered 
the  committee  to  make  the  purchase. 

March  4,  1850 :  "  Voted  to  choose  a  committee  to  lay  out 
and  otherwise  improve  said  new  burying -ground."  Also 
voted  to  expend  five  hundred  dollars  accordingly. 

After  further  examination  of  this  land,  the  committee 
recommended  an  abandonment  of  the  above  plan ;  and,  March 
10,  1851,  the  town  voted  to  build  an  alms-house  on  said 
land. 

July  19,  1852 :  The  subject  came  before  the  town ;  and 
Messrs.  George  W.  Porter,  Kobert  L.  Ells,  Paul  Curtis, 
John  B.  Hatch,  and  Sanford  B.  Perry,  were  chosen  a  com- 
mittee "  to  purchase  land  for  a  cemetery."     These  gentlemen 


BURYING-GROUNDS.  4#y 

examined  several  spots,  and  finally  recommended  one  owned 
by  Mr.  Edward  Brooks,  situated  nearly  opposite  the  head  of 
Purchase  Street,  in  West  Medford,  and  containing  twelve 
acres.  It  has  a  varied  surface  of  hill,  valley,  and  plain  ;  is 
well  covered  with  young  oaks  and  beautiful  forest-trees ;  its 
soil  is  dry,  and  not  liable  to  injury  from  rain  ;  the  absence  of 
ledges  will  make  digging  easy ;  and  its  retired  and  accessible 
position  renders  it  peculiarly  fit  for  such  a  sacred  appropria- 
tion. The  committee  had  obtained  the  consent  of  the  owner 
to  sell;  and  the  price  was  five  thousand  dollars.  They 
recommended  the  purchase ;  and  the  town  accepted  and 
adopted  their  report,  Aug.  16,  1852.  Thus  an  extensive  and 
beautiful  cemetery  is  secured  to  future  generations. 

The  committee  declined  further  service ;  and  Messrs.  San- 
ford  B.  Perry,  Paul  Curtis,  Edmund  T.  Hastings,  George  T. 
Goodwin,  and  James  R.  Turner,  were  chosen  to  attend  to  all 
further  business  connected  with  the  subject.  March  7, 1853, 
the  town  instructed  the  committee  to  build  a  receiving-tomb, 
to  lay  out  roads  and  paths,  to  erect  fences,  and  make  such  im- 
provements as  they  see  fit. 

Oct.  13,  1853 :  The  committee  made  their  first  report. 
They  recommended  that  it  be  called  Oak  Grove  Cemetery. 
Among  the  rules  and  regulations  are  the  following :  — 

"  The  cemetery  shall  be  under  the  care  of  the  selectmen,  who 
shall  appoint  a  superintendent.  Any  citizen,  who  may  become  the 
owner  of  a  lot,  must  submit  to  the  conditions  :  Fences  appropriate 
to  the  place  may  be  built  to  enclose  lots.  No  lot  can  be  used  for 
any  purpose,  except  the  burial  of  the  dead.  No  tree  shall  be  cut 
down  without  the  consent  of  the  Cemetery  Committee.  Any 
funeral  monument  or  structure  may  be  erected,  except  a  tomb. 
Trees,  shrubs,  and  flowers  may  be  planted  and  cultivated.  Any 
improper  structure  or  offensive  inscription  shall  be  removed  by  the 
committee.  No  tomb  shall  be  built  within  the  cemetery,  except  by 
special  vote  of  the  town.  No  burials  for  hire.  No  disinterment, 
except  by  permission. 

"  The  town-clerk  shall  be  clerk  of  the  Cemetery  Committee.  All 
deeds  shall  be  executed  in  behalf  of  the  town.  The  lots  shall  be 
apprized,  numbered,  and  recorded,  and  the  right  of  choice  sold  at 
public  auction.  Lots  may  afterwards  be  sold  by  the  selectmen. 
Duplicate  keys  of  the  gates  and  receiving-tomb  shall  be  kept  by 
the  officers.  No  dead  body  shall  remain  in  the  receiving-tomb, 
during  warm  weather,  more  than  twenty  days.  No  grave  for  any 
person,  over  twelve  years  of  age,  shall  be  less  than  five  feet  deep. 
All  burials  in  the  free  public  lot  shall  be  in  the  order  directed  by 
the  committee.     No  body  shall  be  disinterred  without  permission  of 


430  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

the  committee.  No  carriage  shall  be  admitted  within  the  grounds, 
unless  by  permission,  or  when  accompanied  by  the  owner  of  a  lot. 
No  refreshments,  smoking,  unseemly  noise,  discharge  of  fire-arms, 
or  disorderly  conduct,  allowed.  Vehicles  admitted  must  be  driven 
no  faster  than  a  walk.  All  writing  upon  or  defacing  of  structures, 
all  breaking  of  trees  or  gathering  of  flowers,  forbidden.  No  indi- 
vidual shall  be  the  proprietor  of  more  than  two  lots.  The  town  of 
Medford  will  for  ever  keep  in  good  repair  the  fence,  gates,  carriage- 
ways, and  footpaths  of  the  cemetery,  and  make  a  secure  place  of 
burial  for  the  dead,  and  an  attractive  resort  for  the  living." 

This  brief  abstract  of  the  report  of  the  committee  shows 
the  town  anxious  to  make  the  most  generous  appropriations 
for  this  sacred  and  cherished  object. 

March  6,  1854  :  The  town  accepted  and  adopted  the  report 
of  the  committee  appointed  to  direct  the  preparation  of  the 
cemetery  for  use.  The  items  of  their  bill  of  costs  will  suffi- 
ciently explain  the  very  beginning  of  the  noble  work.  They 
are  as  follows  :  — 

Paid  for  land $5,000.00 

„      labor  on  streets 774.89 

„      receiving-tomb 359.10 

„      stone  wall  and  posts 715.63 

„      sundries 280.98 

$7,130.60 

Due  Mr.  Wadsworth,  for  plan,  &c.  ...  $275.00 
„  Denis  and  Roberts,  for  iron  gates  .  .  60.00 
„         N.  A.  Chandler,  for  work      ....       45.00 

$380.00 


$7,510.60 

The  place  was  solemnly  consecrated  by  religious  services, 
performed  within  the  enclosure,  Oct.  31,  1853  ;  and  then  the 
lots  were  offered  for  sale  at  public  auction.  Thirty-one  lots 
were  sold  on  the  first  occasion  for  $634.50  ;  and  the  highest 
price  given  for  choice  was  $15  ;  and  the  lowest,  $1.  The 
highest  price  fixed  upon  the  best  lots  was  $20  ;  and  the  lowest 
price  for  a  lot,  $5. 

February,  1855 :  The  whole  number  of  lots  sold  is  fifty- 
one  ;  and  their  cost  was  $1,025. 

Several  who  bought  commenced  immediately  the  prepara- 
tion of  their  grounds,  and  erected  fences,  and  planted  flower- 
shrubs  and  evergreens.  Though  just  opened,  there  are 
already  indications  of  good  taste  and  costly  expenditure. 
"We  trust  that  the  inhabitants  will   be  disposed  to  build  a 


CRIMES    AND    PUNISHMENTS.  431 

chapel,  of  Christian  architecture,  within  twenty  years;  and 
surround  the  land,  not  with  an  iron  fence,  but  a  granite  wall, 
eight  feet  high.  Medford  has  faithfully  performed  a  sacred 
duty  in  procuring  this  rural  cemetery.  The  place  must  ere 
long  become  populous ;  and,  as  one  after  another  goes  there 
to  claim  his  tenantry  in  the  dust  below,  may  each  surviving 
mourner  be  comforted  in  the  assurance,  that  mortality  is  swal- 
lowed up  of  life  ! 


CHAPTER  XII. 


CHIMES   AND   PUNISHMENTS. 


We  trust,  that,  for  the  honor  of  Medford,  records  under  this 
head  will  not  be  found  numerous.  "We  must  tell  the  whole 
truth,  let  honor  or  infamy  be  the  consequence ;  and  we 
regret  to  learn  that  our  plantation  was  so  soon  the  scene  of  a 
mortal  strife.  In  the  Colony  records,  we  thus  read,  Sept. 
28,  1630 :  "  A  jury  of  fifteen  were  impanelled,  concerning 
the  death  of  Austen  Bratcher "  (Bradshaw).  "Austen 
Bratcher,  dying  lately  at  Mr.  Cradock's  plantation,  was 
viewed  before  his  .burial  by  divers  persons.  The  jury's  ver- 
dict :  "We  find  that  the  strokes  given  by  "Walter  Palmer  were 
occasionally  the  means  of  the  death  of  Austen  Bratcher ;  and 
so  to  be  manslaughter."  Palmer  was  bound  over  to  be  tried 
at  Boston  for  this  death ;  and,  on  the  9th  of  November,  the 
jury  bring  in  a  verdict  of  "  Not  guilty." 

At  a  court  held  at  "Watertown,  March  8,  1631,  "Ordered 
that  Thomas  Fox,  servant  of  Mr.  Cradock,  shall  be  whipped 
for  uttering  malicious  and  scandalous  speeches,  whereby  he 
sought  to  traduce  the  court,  as  if  they  had  taken  some  bribe 
in  the  business  concerning  "Walter  Palmer."  This  Thomas 
Fox  was  fined  four  times,  and  seems  to  have  been  possessed 
by  the  very  demon  of  mischief.  He  left  the  plantation  with- 
out his  benediction. 

June  14,  1631 :  "  At  this  court,  one  Philip  RadclifF,  a  ser- 
vant of  Mr.  Cradock,  being  convict,  ore  tenus,  of  most  foul, 
scandalous  invectives  against  our  churches  and  government, 


432  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

was  censured  to  be  whipped,  lose  his  ears,  and  be  banished 
the  plantation,  —  which  was  presently  executed."  This 
sentence,  so  worthy  of  Draco,  convinces  us  that  some  of  the 
early  judges  in  the  colony  were  men  who  had  baptized  their 
passions  with  the  name  of  holiness,  and  then  felt  that  they 
had  a  right  to  murder  humanity  in  the  name  of  God. 

June  5,  1638  :  "  John  Smyth,  of  Meadford,  for  swearing, 
being  penitent,  was  set  in  the  bilboes." 

Oct.  4,  1638 :  "  Henry  Collins  is  fined  five  shillings  for 
not  appearing  when  he  was  called  to  serve  upon  the  grand 

jury-" 

Sept.  3,  1639:  "Nicholas  Davison  (Mr.  Cradock's  agent), 
for  swearing  an  oath,  was  ordered  to  pay  one  pound ;  which 
he  consented  unto." 

Nov.  14,  1644 :  The  General  Court  order  that  all  Baptists 
shall  be  banished,  if  they  defend  their  doctrine. 

Nov.  4,  1646 :  The  General  Court  decree  that  "  the  blas- 
phemer shall  be  put  to  death." 

May  26,  1647  :  Roman  Catholic  priests  and  Jesuits  are 
forbidden  to  enter  this  jurisdiction.  They  shall  be  banished 
on  their  first  visit ;  and,  on  their  second,  they  shall  be  put  to 
death. 

"  Edward  Gould,  for  his  miscarriage,  is  fined  one  pound." 

There  was  a  singular  persecution  of  the  Baptists  in  the 
early  times  among  us.  They  were  not  sufficiently  numerous 
to  be  formed  into  an  organized  society  ;  and  yet  they  were 
so  skilful  in  defending  their  creed,  and  so  blameless  in 
their  daily  walk,  that  they  became  very  irritating  to  the 
covenant  Puritans  ;  and  some  wished  they  should  be  cropped ! 
In  April,  1667,  a  great  dispute  was  held  at  Boston  between 
them  and  the  Calvinists.  Who  were  the  champions  in  this 
gladiatorial  encounter  we  do  not  know,  nor  where  victory 
perched ;  but  we  have  proof  of  blind,  unchristian  persecu- 
tion, which  stands  a  blot  on  the  page  of  history.  At  the 
"  Ten  Hills,"  in  Mistick,  lived  a  servant  of  John  Winthrop, 
jun.,  who  professed  the  Baptist  faith.  Mary  Gould,  his 
wife,  who  was  with  him  in  his  creed,  writes  to  John  Win- 
throp, jun.,  March  23,  1669,  concerning  her  husband's 
imprisonment  in  Boston  on  account  of  his  peculiar  faith. 
Whether  what  was  done  at  "  Ten  Hills  "  was  approved  at 
Medford  we  do  not  know ;  but  these  facts  tell  volumes  con- 
cerning the  ideas,  principles,  and  practices  of  some  of  the 
Puritan  Pilgrims  of  New  England. 


CRIMES    AND    PUNISHMENTS.  433 

Indians  convicted  of  crime,  or  taken  prisoners  in  war, 
were  sold  by  our  fathers  as  slaves ! 

June  14,  1642  :  "  If  parents  or  masters  neglect  training  up 
their  children  in  learning,  and  labor,  and  other  employments 
which  may  be  profitable  to  the  Commonwealth,  they  shall  be 
sufficiently  punished  by  fines  for  the  neglect  thereof." 

Nov.  4,  1646  :  The  General  Court  order  :  — 

"  If  a  man  have  a  rebellious  son,  of  sufficient  age  and  understand- 
ing,—  viz.,  sixteen,  —  which  will  not  obey  the  voice  of  his  father  or 
the  voice  of  his  mother,  and  that,  when  they  have  chastened  him, 
will  not  hearken  unto  them,  then  shall  his  father  and  mother,  being 
his  natural  parents,  lay  hold  on  him,  and  bring  him  to  the  magis- 
trates assembled  in  court,  and  testify  unto  them,  by  sufficient  evi- 
dence, that  this  their  son  is  stubborn  and  rebellious,  and  will  not 
obey  their  voice  and  chastisement,  but  lives  in  sundry  notorious 
crimes.     Such  a  son  shall  be  put  to  death." 

1672 :  Our  ancestors  had  the  gag  and  ducking-stool  for 
female  scolds.  Such  persons  were  "  to  be  gagged,  or  set  in 
a  ducking-stool,  and  dipped  over  head  and  ears  three  times,  in 
some  convenient  place  of  fresh  or  salt  water,  as  the  court 
judge  meet." 

"  Down  in  the  deep  the  stool  descends  : 

But  here,  at  first,  we  miss  our  ends. 

She  mounts  again,  and  rages  more 

Than  ever  vixen  did  before. 

So  throwing  water  on  the  fire 

"Will  make  it  but  burn  up  the  higher. 

If  so,  my  friend,  pray  let  her  take 

A  second  turn  into  the  lake ; 

And,  rather  than  your  patience  lose, 

Thrice  and  again  repeat  the  dose." 

The  stocks  stood  in  the  centre  of  a  village.  The  offender 
had  both  hands  and  both  feet  entrapped  between  two  boards  ; 
sometimes  only  one  foot  and  one  hand. 


66 


434  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

The  whipping-post  stood  near  the  meeting-house,  and  was 
often  used  :  even  women  suffered  the  indignity. 

Conspicuous  in  the  meeting-house  was  the  stool  of  repent- 
ance, on  which  moral  culprits  sat  during  divine  service  and 
on  lecture-days.  Sometimes  they  wore  a  paper  cap,  on  which 
was  written  their  sin.  Wearing  a  halter  round  the  neck  was 
another  form  of  punishment.  The  pillory  was  often  used ; 
and  the  offender  was  saluted  by  the  boys  with  rotten  eggs. 


Military  offenders  were  obliged  to  ride  the  wooden  horse, 
or  sit  in  the  bilboes.  Branding  on  the  forehead,  the  cage, 
and  the  gallows,  were  each  resorted  to,  according  to  the 
degrees  of  crime. 

The  Christian  sentiments  of  the  heart  are  outraged  by  the 
shameless  exhibitions  and  cruelties  sometimes  witnessed  on 
"  lecture-day."  What  a  transition,  —  from  the  altar  of  God 
to  the  public  whipping-pqst,  to  see  women  whipped  upon 
the  bare  back !  This  was  teaching  Puritan  individualism 
with  a  vengeance. 

The  custom  of  whipping  did  not  cease  in  Medford  till 
1790! 


Our  fathers  held  slaves  in  Medford.  There  are  persons 
now  living  among  us  who  remember  slaves  in  their  family. 
They  were  treated,  generally,  much  after  the  manner  of  chil- 
dren. Africans  were  brought  to  this  colony  and  sold  among 
us,  for  the  first  time,  Feb.  26,  1638.  In  1637,  Captain  Wil- 
liam Pierce  was  employed  to  carry  Pequot  captives  and  sell 


SLAVERY.  435 

them  in  the  West  Indies !  On  his  return  from  Tortugas, 
"he  brought  home  a  cargo  of  cotton,  tobacco,  salt,  and 
negroes  "  !  Slavery  was  thus  introduced  as  early  as  1638  ; 
but,  in  1645,  the  General  Court  passed  this  noble,  this  truly 
Christian,  order :  — 

"  The  General  Court,  conceiving  themselves  bound  by  the  first 
opportunity  to  bear  witness  against  the  heinous  and  crying  sin  of 
man-stealing,  as  also  to  prescribe  such  timely  redress  for  what  is 
past,  and  such  a  law  for  the  future,  as  may  sufficiently  deter  all 
others  belonging  to  us  to  have  to  do  in  such  vile  and  most  odious 
courses,  justly  abhorred  of  all  good  and  just  men,  do  order,  that 
the  negro  interpreter,  with  others  unlawfully  taken,  be,  by  the  first 
opportunity  (at  the  charge  of  the  country  for  the  present),  sent  to 
his  native  country  of  Guinea,  and  a  letter  with  him  of  the  indig- 
nation of  the  court  thereabouts,  and  justice  thereof,  desiring  our 
honored  governor  would  please  put  this  order  into  execution." 

May  29,  1644  :  Slaves  took  the  name  of  their  first  master. 
"  John  Gore  is  granted  leave  to  set  his  servant,  Thomas 
Reeves,  free." 

Respecting  taxes  on  black  servants,  we  have  the  subse- 
quent items  :  Each  of  them,  in  1694,  was  assessed  twelve- 
pence  ;  from  1700  to  1719,  as  personal  estate;  1727,  each 
male  fifteen  pounds,  and  each  female  ten  pounds  ;  from  1731 
to  1775,  as  personal  property.  In  1701,  the  inhabitants  of 
Boston  gave  the  following  magnanimous  direction  :  "The 
representatives  are  desired  to  promote  the  encouraging  the 
bringing  of  white  servants,  and  to  put  a  period  to  negroes 
being  slaves." 

Colonel  Royal  (Dec.  7,  1737)  petitions  the  General  Court, 
that,  having  lately  arrived  from  Antigua,  he  has  with  him 
several  slaves  for  his  own  use,  and  not  to  sell,  and  therefore 
prays  that  the  duty  on  them  be  remitted.  The  duty  was  four 
pounds  a  head.  This  petition  was  laid  on  the  table,  and  rests 
there  yet.  In  1781,  a  final  blow  was  given  to  slavery  in 
Massachusetts ;  and  in  this  the  inhabitants  of  Medford  una- 
nimously rejoiced.  To  show  how  anxious  our  fathers  were 
to  prevent  all  abuse  of  an  existing  custom,  the  town  passed 
the  following  vote,  Aug.  4,  1718  :  "Voted  that  every  inha- 
bitant of  this  town  (Medford)  shall,  when  they  buy  any  ser- 
vant, male  or  female,  be  obliged  to  acquaint  and  inform  the 
selectmen  of  said  town,  for  their  approbation."  It  was  a 
settled  law  with  our  fathers,  that  "  no  man  shall  hire  any 


436  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

slave  for  a  servant  for  less  time  than  one  year,  unless  he  be 
a  settled  housekeep." 

Men  sold  their  labor  for  a  certain  number  of  years,  or  to 
pay  the  expenses  of  immigration ;  and,  in  such  cases,  were 
sometimes  called  slaves.  Referring  to  such  cases,  we  find 
the  following  :  "  Ordered  that  no  servant  shall  be  set  free, 
or  have  any  lot,  until  he  has  served  out  the  time  cove- 
nanted." 

April  1,  1634,  the  General  Court  passed  an  order,  "that  if 
any  boy  (that  hath  been  whipped  for  running  away  from  his 
master)  be  taken  in  any  other  plantation,  not  having  a  note 
from  his  master  to  testify  his  business  there,  it  shall  be  law- 
ful for  the  constable  of  said  plantation  to  whip  him,  and  send 
him  home."  One  hundred  years  after  this  time,  our  Med- 
ford  ancestors  found  themselves  willing  to  pass  the  follow- 
ing:— 

Sept.  17,  1734 :  "  Voted  that  all  negro,  Indian,  and  mulatto  ser- 
vants that  are  found  abroad  without  leave,  and  not  in  their  masters' 
business,  shall  be  taken  up  and  whipped,  ten  stripes  on  their  naked 
body,  by  any  freeholder  of*  the  town,  and  be  carried  to  their  respec- 
tive masters ;  and  said  master  shall  be  obliged  to  pay  the  sum  of 
2s.  6rf.  in  money  to  said  person  that  shall  so  do." 

This  vote,  we  presume,  must  have  been  imported  from 
Jamaica.     Did  our  progenitors  so  learn  Christ? 

1680  :  "There  are  as  many  (one  hundred  and  twenty)  Scots 
brought  hither  and  sold  for  servants  in  time  of  the  war  with 
England,  and  most  now  married  and  living  here,  and  about 
half  so  many  Irish  brought  hither  at  several  times  as  servants." 

Judge  Sewall,  of  Massachusetts,  June  22,  1716,  says,  "  I 
essayed  to  prevent  negroes  and  Indians  being  rated  with 
horses  and  cattle,  but  could  not  succeed." 

No  cargoes  of  slaves  were  brought  into  Medford  ;  but  how 
many  cargoes  of  Medford  rum  went  to  Africa  and  the  West 
Indies,  and  were  returned  in  slaves  to  Carolina  or  Rhode 
Island,  we  cannot  say.  The  gentlemen  of  Medford  have 
always  disclaimed  any  participation  in  the  slave-trade. 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter,  dated  Boston,  14th 
January,  1759,  may  show  what  was  done  at  that  time.  It  is 
as  follows  :  — 

"  Captain  William  Ellery.  Sir,  — The  'Snow  Caesar'  is  fully 
loaded  and  equipped  for  sea.  My  orders  are  to  you,  that  you  embrace 
the  first  favorable  opportunity  of  wind  and  weather,  and  proceed  to 


437 


the  coast  of  Africa  ;  touching  first,  if  you  think  proper,  at  Senegal, 
where,  if  you  find  encouragement,  you  may  part  with  such  part  of 
your  cargo  as  you  can  sell  to  your  liking,  and  then  proceed  down 
the  coast  to  such  ports  or  places  as  you  judge  best  to  dispose  of 
your  cargo  to  advantage,  so  as  to  purchase  a  cargo  of  two  hundred 
slaves,  with  which  you  are  to  proceed  to  South  Carolina,  unless  a 
peace  should  happen,  or  a  good  opportunity  of  coming  off  with  a 
man-of-war,  or  some  vessel  of  force,  for  the  West  Indies.  In  that 
case,  I  would  recommend  the  Island  of  St.  Christopher's,  being 
handy  to  St.  Eustatia's,  for  the  sale  of  your  slaves.  Buy  no  girls, 
and  few  women  ;  but  buy  prime  boys  and  young  men.  As  you 
have  had  often  the  care  of  slaves,  so  I  think  it  needless  to  say  much 
upon  that  head  in  regard  to  keeping  them  well  secured  and  a  con- 
stant watch  over  them. 

"  Your,  cargo  is  good,  and  well  assorted.  Your  rum,  I  make  no 
doubt,  will  hold  out  more  than  it  was  taken  in  for ;  having  proved 
some  to  hold  out  more  than  the  gauge.  As  you  have  guns  and  men, 
I  doubt  not  you'll  make  a  good  use  of  them  if  required.  Bring 
some  of  the  slaves  this  way,  if  not  too  late. 

"  I  am,  with  wishing  you  health,  success,  and  happiness,  your 
assured  friend  and  owner,  *  *." 

One  article  of  the  outward  cargo  stands  on  the  account 
thus  :  "  Eighty -two  barrels,  six  hogsheads,  and  six  tierces  of 
New  England  rum  ;  thirty-three  barrels  best  Jamaica  spirits  ; 
thirty -three  barrels  of  Barbadoes  rum ;  twenty-five  pair  pis- 
tols ;  two  casks  musket-ball ;  one  chest  of  hand-arms  ;  twenty- 
five  cutlasses." 

The  return  cargo  is  recorded  thus :  "  In  the  hole,  on  board 
of  the  '  Snow  Caesar,'  one  hundred  and  fifty-three  adult 
slaves,  and  two  children." 

The  following  is  a  fair  specimen  of  the  captain's  running- 
account,  in  his  purchase  of  slaves,  while  on  the  coast  of 
Africa,  copied  by  us  from  the  original  manuscript :  — 

Dr.  The  natives  of  Annamboe Per  contra,  Cr. 


1770.  gals. 


April  22.  To  1  hogshead 

May  1.  „  ram 

„  2.  „  1  hogshead  ram 

„  7.  „  1  hogshead  rum 

„  5.  „  cash  in  gold  .  . 

„  5.  „  cash  in  gold  .  .    2oz 

u  5.  „  2  doz.  of  snuff  .    loz 


110 

130 

105 

.  108 

5oz.  2. 


1770.  gals. 

April  22.  By  1  woman-slave  ....  110 

May     1.  „    1  prime  woman-slave  .  130 

„       2.  „    1  boy-slave,  4ft.  lin.  .  105 

„       7.  „   1  boy-slave,  4ft.  3in.  .  108 

„       5.  „   1  prime  man-slave  .  5oz.  2. 

„       5.  „   1  old  man  for  a  Lin- 

gister 3oz.  0. 


How  will  the  above   read   in  the  capital  of  Liberia  two 
hundred  years  hence  ? 


438 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


In  1754,  there  were  in  Medford  twenty-seven  male  and 
seven  female  slaves,  and  fifteen  free  blacks ;  total,  forty-nine. 
In  1764,  there  were  forty-nine  free  blacks.  When  the  law 
freed  all  the  slaves,  many  in  Medford  chose  to  remain  with 
their  masters ;  and  they  were  faithful  unto  death. 

LIST  OF    SLATES,    AND    THEIR    OWNERS*    NAMES. 


Worcester,  .     .     .  owned  by 

Pompey 

Rose   . 

Pomp 

Peter 

London 

Selby  . 

Prince 

Punch 

Flora  . 

Richard 

Dinah 

Caesar 

Scipio 

Peter  . 

Nice    . 

Cuffee 

Isaac  . 

Aaron 

Chloe 

Negro  girl 

Negro  woman 

Joseph,  Plato,  Phebe 

Peter,  Abraham,  Cooper 

Stephy,  George,  Hagar 

Mira,  Nancy,  Betsey 

We  are  indebted  to  a  friend  for  the  following :  "  It  may 
be  interesting  here  to  mention  a  circumstance  illustrative  of 
the  general  feeling  of  the  town  in  those  days  with  regard  to 
slavery.  In  the  spring  of  1798  or  '99,  a  foreigner  named 
Andriesse,  originally  from  Holland,  who  had  served  many 
years  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  and  in  Batavia  as  a  com- 
modore in  the  Dutch  navy,  moved  into  the  town  from  Bos- 
ton, where  he  had  lost,  it  was  said,  by  unlucky  speculations 
and  the  tricks  of  swindlers,  a  large  part  of  the  property 
which  he  had  brought  to  this  country  from  the  East  Indies. 
His  family  consisted  of  a  wife  and  four  children,  with  from 
fifteen  to  twenty  Malay  slaves.  He  lived  only  a  month  or 
two  after  his  arrival  in  the  town ;  and  his  widow,  immediately 


Rev.  E.  Turell. 
Dr.  Simon  Tufts. 
Captain  Thomas  Brooks. 

»  M  )' 

Captain  Francis  Whitmore. 

Simon  Bradshaw. 

Deacon  Benjamin  Willis. 

Benjamin  Hall. 

Widow  Brooks. 

Stephen  Hall. 

Hugh  Floyd. 

Captain  Kent. 

Mr.  Brown. 

Mr.  Pool. 

Squire  Hall. 

Stephen  Greenleaf. 
Joseph  Tufts. 
Henry  Gardner. 

Mr.  Boylston. 
Dr.  Brooks. 
Isaac  Royal. 


439 


after  his  decease,  sent  back  to  their  own  country  the  greater 
part  of  the  Malays,  retaining  only  three  or  four  of  them  for 
domestic  service.  Among  these  was  a  youth  named  Caesar, 
who  was  master  of  the  tailor's  trade,  and  made  all  the  clothes 
of  the  family,  three  of  the  children  being  boys.  He  worked 
not  only  for  his  mistress,  but  was  permitted  by  her  to  do  jobs 
in  other  families  ;  and,  being  quick  and  docile,  he  became  a 
general  favorite.  But,  in  the  summer  of  1805,  Mrs.  Andriesse 
was  induced  to  return  to  Batavia,  having  received  the  offer  of 
a  free  passage  for  herself  and  family  in  one  of  Mr.  David 
Sears's  vessels,  and  having  ascertained,  that,  if  she  returned, 
her  boys  might  be  educated  there  at  the  expense  of  the 
Dutch  government,  and  she  herself  would  be  entitled  to  a 
pension.  All  her  servants  returned  with  her,  except  Caesar. 
He  was  sold  to  a  son  of  old  Captain  Ingraham,  who  resided 
at  the  South,  and  owned  a  plantation  there.  Whether  his 
mistress  thus  disposed  of  him  for  her  own  advantage,  or  be- 
cause he  was  unwilling  to  return  to  his  own  country,  cannot 
now  be  ascertained.  In  process  of  time,  four  or  five  years 
afterwards,  Mr.  Ingraham  came  on  from  the  South  to  visit 
his  aged  father,  bringing  with  him  his  '  boy  '  Caesar,  who  left 
behind  a  wife  and  two  children.  Caesar  renewed  acquaint- 
ance with  his  former  friends,  and  expressed  a  decided  pre- 
ference for  the  freedom  of  the  North  over  all  the  blessings 
which  he  had  enjoyed  at  the  South.  They  were  not  slow  to 
inform  him  that  he  might  be  a  free  man  if  he  chose ;  and  he 
accordingly  attempted  to  escape  from  his  master.  But,  not 
having  laid  his  plan  with  sufficient  skill,  he  was  overtaken  in 
the  upper  part  of  the  town,  on  his  way  to  Woburn,  and 
closely  buckled  into  a  chaise  by  Mr.  Ingraham,  who  intended 
to  drive  into  Boston  with  him,  and  lodge  him  on  board  the  ves- 
sel which  was  to  convey  both  of  them  home.  Caesar,  however, 
had  a  trusty  friend  in  Mr.  Nathan  Wait,  the  blacksmith, 
who  had  promised  in  no  extremity  to  desert  him  ;  and  as  the 
chaise  reached  Medford  Bridge,  upon  the  edge  of  which 
stood  Mr.  Wait's  smithy,  he  roared  so  lustily  that  Mr.  Wait 
sprang  out  of  his  shop,  hot  from  the  anvil,  and,  standing 
before  the  horse,  sternly  forbade  the  driver  from  carrying  a 
free  man  into  slavery.  Being  ordered  to  mind  his  own  busi- 
ness, he  indignantly  shook  his  fist  at  Mr.  Ingraham,  and  re- 
torted, that  he  would  hear  from  him  again  in  a  manner  less 
acceptable.  A  general  commotion  then  ensued  among  Cae- 
sar's friends,  and  they  included  many  of  the  most  respecta- 


440  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

ble  citizens  in  the  whole  town.  Apprehensions  were  enter- 
tained that  he  would  be  secreted,  and  that  his  pursuers  might 
be  subjected  to  a  long,  and  perhaps  fruitless,  search.  In 
those  days,  one  daily  coach  maintained  the  chief  intercourse 
between  Boston  and  Medford.  Accordingly,  on  the  evening 
of  this  memorable  day,  Mr.  Ingraham  was  one  of  the  pas- 
sengers who  happened  to  be  returning  to  Medford.  His 
unguarded  whisper  to  his  next  neighbor,  '  I  have  him  safe 
now  on  shipboard,'  chanced  to  be  overheard  by  some  ladies, 
who  speeded  the  intelligence  to  Caesar's  friends.  Their  course 
then  became  clear.  Mr.  Wait  instantly  obtained  from  the 
Governor  of  the  State  the  requisite  authority  and  officers, 
proceeded  to  the  vessel,  and  brought  off  Caesar  in  triumph. 
Great  pains  were  taken  by  Mr.  Ingraham  to  ascertain  the 
names  of  the  eavesdropping  ladies  who  had  betrayed  his 
counsel ;  but  Mr.  Wyman,  the  long-approved  Medford  stage- 
driver,  was  visited  on  the  occasion  by  a  convenient  shortness 
of  memory,  which  wholly  disqualified  him  from  recollecting 
who  were  his  female  passengers  that  evening ;  '  women,'  as 
he  afterwards  added  when  telling  the  story,  '  never  liking  to 
be  dragged  into  court.'  Redress  by  law  was  vainly  at- 
tempted by  the  master.  The  case  was  tried,  first  at  Cam- 
bridge, in  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  and  then  by  appeal, 
at  Concord ;  large  numbers  of  witnesses  being  summoned 
from  Medford.  Caesar  worked  at  his  trade  in  Medford  seve- 
ral years  with  great  approbation,  and  afterwards  removed  to 
Woburn,  where  he  married  again,  and  was  called  Mr.  Ander- 
son.    He  died  in  middle-age." 

Medford  was  the  first  town  in  the  United  States  that  res- 
cued a  fugitive  slave.  The  antislavery  movement  of  our 
day  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  effectual  agencies  ever 
witnessed.  It  has  waked  up  the  nation  to  the  injustice  and 
moral  evil  of  involuntary  bondage ;  and  Medford  has  its  full 
share  of  intelligent,  persevering,  and  Christian  opposers  of 
the  slave-system.  Advocates  of  the  system  we  have  none. 
The  Eev.  John  Pierpont  and  the  Rev.  Caleb  Stetson  early 
became  devoted  and  able  lecturers  in  the  field ;  and,  if  a  fugi- 
tive slave  should  now  reach  Medford,  there  would  be  fifty 
Nathan  Waits  to  shelter  and  comfort  him. 


PAUPERISM.  ,  441 


PAUPERISM. 

To  this  class  of  unfortunates  every  Christian  heart  should 
turn  with  sympathy,  and  desire  to  become  a  Howard  to  them. 
Sad,  sad  indeed  it  is  to  be  left  to  the  bleak  mercy  of  the 
world.  That  provisions  for  the  poor  increase  the  poor,  there 
can  be  no  doubt ;  yet,  after  all  due  allowances  are  made,  the 
fact  is  that  there  are  the  imbecile,  the  unfortunate,  the  widow, 
and  the  fatherless,  who  come  to  extreme  want  without  much 
fault  on  their  part.  The  virtuous  poor  should  always  be 
separated  from  the  vicious.  To  force  them  into  familiar  in- 
tercourse is  cruelty  and  wickedness.  Indigent  persons,  sup- 
ported by  public  charge,  were  known  but  in  the  smallest 
numbers  to  our  early  ancestors.  When  a  case  of  extreme 
want  occurred,  it  was  provided  for  by  private  charity.  There 
seemed  to  be  a  settled  resolve  of  the  Pilgrims  that  they  would 
not  have  here  the  poverty  and  the  alms-houses  they  had  left 
behind  them.  In  Medford  was  illustrated  these  remarks  as 
early  as  June  6,  1637,  when  we  find  the  following  vote  con- 
cerning a  resident  here :  "  Whereas  John  Binfield  died, 
leaving  two  children  undisposed  of,  the  charge  of  the  one 
is  ordered  to  be  defrayed  by  Mr.  Cradock,  he  having  the 
goods  of  the  deceased,  the  other  child  being  disposed  of  by 
the  country."  We  see  from  this  that  the  poor  belonged  to 
the  whole  colony,  and  "  the  country  disposed  of  them." 

The  care  of  our  forefathers  to  keep  pure  may  be  seen  in 
the  following  vote :  — 

"  March  4,  1685  :  The  selectmen  shall  be  empowered  to  prevent 
any  person  from  coming  into  the  town  that  may  be  suspicious  of 
burden  or  damage  to  said  town." 

This  vote  of  Medford  looked  at  a  case  then  existing.  April 
1,  1685,  the  selectmen  protest  as  follows :  — 

"  Whereas  William  Burges,  of  Cambridge,  hath  lately  intruded 
himself,  with  his  family,  into  the  town  of  Meadford,  contrary  to  law, 
without  the  approbation  of  the  town  or  townsmen,  and  he  having 
been  warned  to  be  gone,  and  yet  continues  in  said  town  without 
liberty,  we,  as  selectmen,  do  hereby,  in  behalf  of  said  town,  protest 
against  him,  said  William  Burges,  and  his  family,  as  being  any  legal 
inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Meadford." 

The  first  person  who  threw  himself  on  the  charity  of  Med- 
ford, and  caused  legislation  in  the  town,  was  John  Man,  who 


442  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

seemed  a  standing  irritant  to  the  parsimonious,  and  a  conve- 
nient whetstone  to  wits. 

"  Seven  cities  now  contend  for  Homer  dead, 
Through  which  the  li'ving  Homer  begged  his  bread." 

Whether  any  thing  of  this  sort  happened  to  John  Man,  we 
do  not  know  ;  but  we  do  know  that  Cambridge  and  Med- 
ford  did  "  contend  "  stoutly  that  the  "  living  "  man  did  not 
belong  to  them.  When  the  question  of  habitancy  arose,  the 
justice  of  the  King's  Court  would  cite  the  towns  interested 
in  the  case,  and  require  from  them  the  fullest  proofs  in  every 
particular ;  and,  when  a  town  got  rid  of  a  pauper,  it  seemed 
to  call  forth  a  general  thanksgiving.  The  final  decision  gave 
the  pauper  in  this  case  to  Medford ;  and,  in  1709,  the  town 
passed  a  vote  "to  put  him  to  board  at  Samuel  Polly's,  at 
three  shillings  a  week."  But  their  beneficiary  must  have 
something  more  than  board  ;  therefore  we  soon  find  the  town 
furnishing  "  one  coat  for  John  Man,  <£1.13s.;  one  pair  of  stock- 
ings, 4s."  That  his  clothes  wore  out,  we  have  record-proof 
in  the  following  item  :  "  Oct.  27,  1713  :  Voted  a  pair  of  leather 
breeches,  a  pair  of  shoes  and  stockings,  to  John  Man."  17 18 : 
Voted  to  defend  the  town  against  vagrants,  and  to  prevent 
their  coming  to  rest  in  it.  Paupers  coming  upon  the  town  were 
thought  to  be  like  angels'  visits  only  in  one  respect,  —  they 
were  "few  and  far  between."  Another  is  introduced  to  our 
notice  in  the  following  record :  April  25,  1728 :  Voted  to 
support  the  widow  Willis  as  we  have  done,  "  she  being  more 
than  ordinarily  troublesome."     Ten  pounds  were  voted. 

Dec,  3,  1737  :  "  Voted  that  the  town  will  not  choose  over- 
seers of  the  poor."  For  many  succeeding  years,  Medford 
took  the  same  care  of  its  poor  as  did  other  towns.  It  was  a 
common  custom  to  board  them  in  private  families,  at  the 
lowest  rates,  allowing  such  families  to  get  what  work  out  of 
them  they  could.  Accordingly,  at  the  March  meeting  each 
year,  the  "  poor  were  set  up  at  auction,"  and  went  to  the 
lowest  bidder.  In  1799,  the  town  voted  to  pay  for  the  school- 
ing of  all  the  poor  children  at  a  woman's  school.  They  had 
always  enjoyed  the  privileges  of  the  public  school  like  other 
children. 

Thomas  Seccomb,  Esq.,  who  died  April  15,  1773,  gave  by 
his  will  some  money  to  the  town  of  Medford.  The  amount 
was  increased  by  a  donation  from  his  widow,  till  it  reached 
the  sum  of  £133.  6s.  8d.  (lawful  money),  which  was  just 


PAUPERISM.  443 

equal  to  £100  sterling  of  English  currency.  The  interest  only 
was  to  be  distributed  annually  among  the  most  necessitous. 

It  was  common  to  imprison  the  poor  debtor.  July  16, 
1770,  the  town  voted  to  give  security  to  the  high-sheriff,  and 
thus  release  Nathaniel  Francis  from  jail. 

When  the  town  bought  their  first  alms-house,  the  num- 
ber of  paupers  lessened,  because  there  were  some  who  would 
not  submit  to  being  connected  with  such  a  house,  and  some 
who  would  not  associate  with  such  a  mixture.  The  pauper- 
tax,  therefore,  was  smaller.  When,  in  1813,  the  new  brick 
house  was  built,  and  afterwards  so  admirably  managed,  the 
earnings  of  the  inmates  were  enough  to  lessen  the  poor-tax 
nearly  one-half.  The  cost  that  year  was  $1,010.25 ;  which 
is  fifty  per  cent  less,  proportionally,  than  the  expenses  before 
an  alms-house  was  used.  This  may  help  to  explain  a  state- 
ment in  the  report  of  a  committee  on  town-expenses  in  1815, 
when  they  say,  "  The  revenue  of  the  town  has,  fortunately, 
been  more  than  sufficient  to  meet  its  expenditures."  The 
males  in  the  alms-house  were  put  to  mending  our  highways. 
The  keeper  of  the  house  and  the  surveyor  directed  their 
labors*;  and  it  took  them  most  of  their  time  to  accomplish 
the  whole  work.  In  1830,  they  did  three  hundred  and  ninety- 
one  days'  labor  on  the  public  roads ;  and  the  cost  of  each 
pauper's  support  then  was  seventy-eight  and  one-half  cents 
per  week. 

In  1837,  a  proposition  was  made  to  purchase  some  land 
attached  to  that  then  owned  by  the  town  near  the  alms-house. 
After  mature  deliberation,  the  committee  to  whom  it  was  re- 
ferred reported  against  the  measure. 

Since  the  erection  of  the  new  house  in  1852,  the  town's 
poor  have  not  increased,  though  every  good  care  is  taken  of 
them  which  their  circumstances  require.  The  town  of  Med- 
ford  has  always  selected  some  of  its  best  citizens  to  oversee 
and  regulate  the  management  of  the  poor ;  and  they  have 
performed  their  duties  with  commendable  sympathy  and  dis- 
cretion. 

The  nearness  of  the  alms-house  to  the  places  of  public 
worship  has  rendered  special  religious  services  at  the  house 
less  imperative.  Whenever  there  has  been  a  call  for  extra 
service,  it  has  been  immediately  performed  by  some  clergy- 
man of  the  town.  A  series  of  sermons  was  preached  at  the 
house,  each  settled  minister  taking  his  turn.  Similar  services 
should  be  had  during  each  winter. 


444  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

The  amount  paid  by  the  town  for  support  of  the  poor, 
from  Feb.  15,  1854,  to  Feb.  15,  1855,  was  $3,571.86 ! 


TORNADO. 

Medford  bears  its  suffering  testimony  to  the  effects  of  the 
terrible  tornado  of  Aug.  22,  1851.  Such  extensive  destruc- 
tion of  property  from  such  a  cause  has  never  before  been 
witnessed  in  this  State.  At  a  meeting  of  citizens,  Aug.  28, 
the  following  votes  were  passed  :  — 

"Voted  that  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  appraise  da- 
mages. 

"  Voted  that  Gorham  Brooks,  Charles  Caldwell,  Franklin  Patch, 
Albert  Smith,  and  Jeremiah  Gilson,  constitute  the  committee. 

"  Voted  that  the  committee  be  instructed  to  consider  the  circum- 
stances of  the  sufferers,  and  report  cases  (if  any)  where  charity  is 
deemed  necessary. 

"  Voted  that  the  committee  be  authorized  to  communicate  with 
similar  committees  from  other  towns,  in  relation  to  the  publication 
of  the  results  of  their  investigations. 

"  Voted  that  Rev.  Charles  Brooks  be  a  committee  to  collect  and 
arrange  the  facts  in  reference  to  science." 

BEPOBT   OF   COMMITTEE    OP   APPRAISEMENT. 

The  amount  of  individual  losses,  as  estimated  by  the  com- 
mittee, is  as  follows  :  — 

Edward  Brooks  —  Barn $25 

Estate  belonging  to  T.  P.  Smith  and  others  —  Buildings, 
$300 ;  fruit-trees,  $600 ;  carriages,  $75  ;  vegetables,  $10     985 

Charles  Rollins  —  Two  dwelling-houses,  unfinished,  which 
Mr.  Rollins  was  building  by  contract,  both  entirely  demo- 
lished, including,  in  one  case,  the  cellar  wall.  One  of  these 
buildings  was  on  the  property  belonging  to  T.  P.  Smith  and 
others,  $4,320 ;  the  other  was  for  the  Rev.  Mr.  Haskins, 
$1,450 5,770 

House  building  by  J.  F.  Edward,  on  property  belonging  to 
T.  P.  Smith  and  others 12 

Boston  and  Lowell  Railroad  Company  —  Freight  car  blown 

from  track,  and  buildings  injured 40 

J.  M.  Usher  —  Buildings,  $442  ;  fruit-trees,  $30 ;  fruit ;  or- 
namental tree  (horse-chestnut),  $50 522 

L.  B.  Usher  —  Buildings,  $50 ;  fruit-trees  and  fruit,  $58 ; 
ornamental  trees  (elm  in  road,  and  horse-chestnut),  $100  .     208 

Heirs  of  Leonard  Bucknam  —  Buildings  and  fences,  $450 ; 
fruit-trees,  $25 475 


TORNADO.  445 

J.  M.  Sanford  —  Fence,  $10 ;  vegetables,  $5  ;  furniture  and 

clothing,  $150;  carriages,  $75 $240 

H.  T.  Nutter  —  Vegetables,  $5  ;  furniture  and  clothing,  $400  405 

Joseph  Wyatt  —  Buildings,  $250 ;  fruit-trees,  $150 ;  fruit,  $10  410 
Town  of  Medford  —  Buildings  (schooL  and  poorhouse  fences, 

&c),  $410;  ornamental  trees,  $50;  fruit-trees,  $50      .     .  510 
George  E.  Harrington  —  Buildings,  $30;  fruit-trees,  $50; 

fruit,  $8 88 

J.  Vreeland  — Fruit-trees,  $150;  fruit,  $12 162 

A.  L.  Fitzgerald  (house  slightly  damaged). 

Samuel  Teel,  jun.  —  Buildings,  $800 ;  fruit-trees,  $200 ;  fruit, 

vegetables,  and  hay,  $61 ;  wagons,  furniture,  &c,  $120     .  1,181 
George  Caldwell  —  House,  $25  ;  fruit-trees,  $20     ....  45 
George  F.  Lane  —  Buildings,  $600 ;  fruit-trees,  $250  ;  vege- 
tables, $16 866 

Thomas  Huffmaster  —  Buildings,  $275;   fruit-trees,  $500; 

fruit  and  corn,  $45 820 

"Wellington  Russell  —  Clothing  and  furniture 25 

E.  T.  Hastings  — Fences,  $30  ;  fruit-trees,  $100;  fruit,  $20  150 

J.  B.  Hatch  —  Fences,  $5  ;  fruit-trees,  $75  ;  fruit,  $25    .     .  105 

Nathaniel  Tracy  —  Fence 10 

John  W.  Hastings  —  House  and  fence 25 

Rev.  John  Pierpont  —  Buildings,  $500  ;  fruit-trees,  $100     .  600 
Heirs  of  Jonathan   Brooks  —  Buildings   and  fences,  $677 ; 
fruit-trees,   $500 ;  ornamental  trees,  $200 ;  fruit,  vegeta- 
bles, and  hay,  $80;  carriages  and  hay-rack,  $175     .     .     .  1,632 
Alfred  Brooks  —  Buildings,  $350 ;  fruit-trees,  $100  .      .     .  450 
Noah  Johnson  —  Buildings,  $445 ;  hay  and  grain  in  barn, 

$40  ;  ox-wagon  and  farming-tools,  $42 527 

James  Wyman  —  Fruit-trees 30 

Moses  Pierce  —  House ' .     .     .  25 

John  V.  Fletcher  —  House,  $25  ;  fruit-trees,  $20  ...     .  45 

Joseph  Swan  —  Fruit-trees 20 

P.  C.  Hall— Fruit-trees,  $920  ;  ornamental  trees,  $50;  fruit, 

$80 1,050 

Jonathan  Porter  —  Fruit-trees,  $75  ;  fruit,  $35 110 

William  Roach  —  Fruit-trees 25 

Dudley  Hall— Fruit-trees 25 

Samuel  Kidder  —  Buildings,  $50;  fruit-trees,  $400;  orna- 
mental trees,  $50 500 

Thatcher    R.    Raymond  —  Fruit-trees,   $100 ;    ornamental 

trees,  $100 ;  fences,  $10  . 210 

John  A.  Page  —  Fruit-trees,  $150 ;  ornamental  trees,  $50 ; 

fences,  $50 250 

Russell  —  Ornamental  trees 150 

Orchard  (East  of  Andover  Turnpike) 40 

$18,768 


446  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Loss  of  property  in  West  Cambridge,  $23,606.  In  Wal- 
tham,  $4,000. 

The  other  report  of  facts,  in  their  relation  to  science,  fills 
forty  pages  of  the  little  pamphlet  which  was  published  Oct. 
30,  1851.  It  will  not  be  republished  here,  but  may  be  found 
among  the  papers  of  the  Smithsonian  Institute. 

The  tornado  commenced  about  five  o'clock,  p.m.,  in  Way- 
land,  passed  through  Waltham  and  West  Cambridge,  and 
entered  Medford  a  few  rods  south  of  "  Wear  Bridge."  From 
that  point  it  moved  west  by  south  to  east  by  north,  and  kept 
this  line  till  it  ceased  in  Chelsea.  The  report  describes  the 
following  facts  :  Direction  ;  centre  ;  form  ;  width ;  speed ; 
power  ;  directions  in  which  trees  and  vegetables  were  thrown  ; 
directions  in  which  buildings  were  thrown  ;  absence  of  whirl ; 
miscellaneous  items  ;  personal  injuries  and  death.  The  re- 
port closes  thus  :  —    • 

"  I  must  pay  a  tribute  of  respect  to  the  people  of  Medford  who 
were  sufferers  by  this  visitation.  One  and  all  have  sustained  their 
losses,  met  their  disappointments,  and  borne  their  sorrows,  with  a 
true  Christian  heroism,  worthy  of  all  honor.  They  see  in  the  event 
an  extraordinary  exhibition  of  a  great  law  of  nature,  and  they  bow 
submissive  to  nature's  God." 


STORMS    AND    FRESHETS. 

Medford  is  protected  from  storms  which  come  from  the 
north  and  west  by  the  range  of  hills  called  "Rocks."  It 
lies  exposed  to  the  easterly,  and  especially  to  the  south-east- 
erly, winds ;  and,  from  these  quarters,  it  suffers  more  than 
some  of  its  neighbors.  Snow-storms,  coming  from  the  sea, 
are  apt  to  end  in  rain ;  and  our  nearness  to  the  ocean  pre- 
vents the  snow  descending  in  that  quiet  way  which  is  so 
common  in  the  interior.      [See  remarks  on  Climate.] 

Against  freshets,  Medford  is  particularly  well  guarded. 
The  hilly  portions  have  brooks  sufficient  to  carry  off  into  the 
river  any  extra  quantity  of  water  that  may  come  from  long 
rains  or  melting  snows.  The  parts  most  exposed  are  those 
on  a  level  with  the  banks  of  the  river;  and,  when  violent 
south-east  winds  occur  during  spring-tides,  the  river  rises  to 
a  dangerous  height.  A  few  times  within  a  century,  damages 
have  come  from  this  cause. 


447 


FIRES. 

For  the  first  two  hundred  years  of  our  settlement,  there 
were  very  few  fires,  and  those  few  were  mostly  in  the  woods. 
The  Indians  had  been  used  to  clearing  their  planting-fields 
by  the  summary  process  of  burning ;  and  they  occasionally 
lighted  a  fire  without  regard  to  bounds  or  proprietorship. 
Not  more  than  two  buildings  have  been  burned  at  the  same 
time  till  quite  recently ;  but,  within  the  last  ten  years,  it 
has  seemed  as  if  former  exemptions  were  to  be  cancelled 
by  rapidly  increasing  alarms  and  widely  extended  conflagra- 
tions. The  deepest  shade  of  sorrow  is  added  to  this  calamity 
by  the  fact  that  the  fires  were  sometimes  the  work  of  incen- 
diaries. ^  Several  peaceable  and  excellent  citizens  have  thus 
lost  their  barns  at  seasons  when  those  barns  were  most  full 
and  most  needed.     The  incendiary  is  truly  a  child  of  hell. 

The  parts  of  the  Town  House  which  were  destroyed  by  two 
separate  fires  were  restored  without  much  expense  to  the 
town.  n 

The  greatest  and  most  distressing  conflagration  that  ever 
occurred  in  Medford  was  on  the  night  of  the  21st  of  No- 
vember, 1850.  It  destroyed  every  building,  on  Main  Street 
and  its  neighborhood,  which  stood  between  the  bridge  and 
South  Street.  The  number,  including  dwelling-houses, 
workshops,  and  barns,  was  thirty-six.  It  commenced  in 
the  old  tavern  barn,  at  the  north-west  corner  of  the  settle- 
ment, when  the  wind  was  blowing  a  gale  from  that  quarter  ; 
and  it  spread  with  such  speed  as  to  prevent  all  passage  over 
the  bridge  from  the  north,  where  ten  or  fifteen  engines  were 
collected,  waiting  for  the  first  opportunity  for  duty.  There 
was  but  one  engine  north  of  the  bridge.  If,  instead  of  a 
large  barn,  the  first  building  burned  had  been  a  dwelling- 
house,  or  if  the  wind  had  been  at  any  other  point,  the  terrible 
destruction  might  have  been  stayed ;  but,  as  every  circum- 
stance favored  the  spread  of  the  flames,  their  progress 
seemed  like  lightning ;  and  they  appeared  to  leap  with  frantic 
fury  from  one  building  to  another,  as  a  starving  man  rushes 
to  devour  the  first  food  within  his  reach.  Before  two  o'clock, 
the  whole  district  was  in  ashes.  It  must  have  gone  farther, 
had  not  engines  from  towns  south  of  us  arrived,  and  a  few 
engines  from  the  north  been  ferried  across  the  river  in  scows. 
Nineteen  engines  were  present ;  and  every  fireman  and  citi- 


448  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

zen  did  his  utmost.  Next  to  the  sufferings  of  those  person- 
ally interested  in  the  losses  of  the  conflagration,  were  those 
of  the  neighbors  and  firemen  who  were  stopped  on  the  north 
side  of  the  bridge,  and  who  saw  no  way  of  going  to  the 
relief  of  their  friends  but  by  rushing  through  sheets  of  fire. 
If  there  be  acute  agony  on  earth,  it  is  in  witnessing  calami- 
ties and  pains  which  we  have  the  wish,  but  not  the  power, 
to  relieve. 

The  deprivations  and  exposures  consequent  upon  such  a 
catastrophe  can  better  be  imagined  than  described.  Every 
heart  and  hand  in  Medford  were  ready  to  administer  relief; 
and  all  was  done  for  the  sufferers  that  an  active  sympathy 
could  suggest.  Before  the  first  barn  was  consumed,  couriers 
were  sent  to  the  neighboring  towns ;  and  the  firemen  in  each 
one  answered  with  promptitude,  and  arrived  m  season  to 
arrest  the  devastation.  The  amount  of  insurance  on  the 
buildings  was  in  many  cases  small ;  and  losses  fell  on  those 
who  could  very  ill  afford  them.  $1,335  were  immediately 
raised  by  subscription  in  Medford,  and  distributed  by  a  com- 
mittee to  the  greatest  sufferers  among  the  poor.  To  th^e  honor 
of  the  sufferers  be  it  said,  they  met  the  waste  of  their 
property,  the  derangement  of  their  business,  and  the  suspen- 
sion of  their  comforts,  with  firmness  and  patience.  Before 
the  ruins  had  ceased  to  smoulder,  the  sounds  of  shovel, 
hammer,  and  trowel  announced  the  work  of  reconstruction  j 
and,  before  two  years  had  passed,  a  new  village,  Phoenix-like, 
had  risen  out  of  the  ashes  of  the  old. 

The  Committee  of  Investigation  chosen  to  estimate  the 
losses  examined  each  case;  and  their  report  was i  $36,000, 
after  all  insurances  were  deducted.  About  half  of  the  pro- 
perty was  insured. 

This  conflagration  convinced  the  town  that  another  bridge 
across  the  river  is  a  necessity ;  and  we  wish  it  had  secured 
the  straightening  of  Main  Street,  on  the  east,  from  the  bridge 
to  Short  Street.  .       'J* 

At  the  moment  (March  6,  1855)  that  we  chronicle  the 
sad  events  above,  we  hear  that  the  school-house  in  Fark 
Street  is  in  ruins.  It  took  fire  this  morning,  while  the 
children  were  in  it;  and,  being  of  wood  and  exposed  to  a 
high  wind,  it  was  soon  consumed.  The  children  were  kept 
from  dangerous  alarm,  and  therefore  left  the  house  in  safety. 
The  building  was  insured  for  one  thousand  dollars. 


POUND.  DISEASES.  449 


In  Medford,  there  were  fewer  "  lands  common  "  than  in 
other  towns.  The  making  of  fences  was  difficult  at  first ; 
and  the  "  pound  "  came  early  into  use.  It  was  placed  so  near 
a  stream  of  water  as  to  allow  the  cattle  in  it  to  drink.  "Where 
the  first  one  in  Medford  was  placed,  we  know  not.  The 
first  record  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  Feb.  25,  1684:  At  a  general  meeting  of  the  inhabitants,  John 
Whitmore  granted  a  piece  of  land  for  the  use  of  the  town,  for  the 
setting  up  of  a  pound ;  which  land  lies  on  the  south-east  of  John 
Whitmore's  land,  lying  near  John  Bradshaw's  house,  and  is  bounded 
south  on  John  Bradshaw,  and  east  upon  the  country  road.  At  the 
same  meeting,  the  inhabitants  agreed  to  set  up  a  pound  on  the  land 
aforesaid." 

April  28,  1684:  "Thomas  Willis  was  chosen  to  keep  the 
town's  pound ;  and  said  pound-keeper  shall  have,  for  pound- 
ing, twopence  per  head  for  horses  and  also  neat  cattle ;  one 
penny  for  each  hog ;  and,  for  sheep,  after  the  rate  of  sixpence 
per  score." 

This  answered  all  purposes  until  May  15,  1758,  when  the 
town  voted  "  to  build  a  new  pound  with  stone."  This  was 
built  accordingly,  and  placed  on  the  west  side  of  the  "  Wo- 
burn  Road,"  six  or  eight  rods  north  of  Jonathan  Brooks's 
house,  in  West  Medford.  Mr.  Samuel  Reeves,  whose  house 
stood  on  the  spot  now  occupied  by  Mr.  James  Gibson's 
house,  was  the  pound-keeper.  The  walls  of  this  pound 
were  very  high  and  strong ;  and  bad  boys  thought  they  had 
a  right  to  throw  stones  at  the  cattle  there  confined. 

March  6,  1809  :  Mr.  Isaac  Brooks  and  others  petitioned  the 
town  to  have  the  pound  removed.  This  petition  was  granted 
thus:  "Voted  to  have  the  pound  removed  to  the  town's 
land  near  Gravelly  Bridge,  so  called;  and  said  pound  to  be 
built  of  wood  or  stone,  at  the  discretion  of  the  committee." 
There  the  pound  remained  only  for  a  short  time ;  when  it 
was  removed  to  Cross  Street,  near  the  old  brick  primary 
schoolhouse. 

DISEASES. 

That  our  Medford  ancestors  should  have  subjected  them- 
selves to  the  attack  of  some  new  diseases,  or  rather  of  old 

57 


450  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

diseases  in  modified  forms,  is  most  probable.  An  early  his- 
torian says  of  this  region,  "  Men  and  women  keep  their 
complexions,  but  lose  their  teeth.  The  falling  off  of  their 
hair  is  occasioned  by  the  coldness  of  the  climate."  He  enu- 
merates the  diseases  prevalent  here  in  1688  :  "  Colds,  fever 
and  ague,  pleurisies,  dropsy,  palsy,  sciatica,  cancers,  worms." 
Consumption  is  not  mentioned !  We  apprehend  that  the 
health  of  our  fathers  was  unusually  good.  There  is  scarcely 
mention  of  any  epidemic.  A  new  climate,  poor  food, 
scanty  clothing,  necessary  exposure,  hard  work,  unskilful 
physicians,  may,  in  some  cases,  have  caused  desolating  dis- 
ease to  do  its  rapid  work  of  death ;  but,  as  a  general  fact, 
health  prevailed  through  the  first  fifty  years. 

1764  :  With  reference  to  the  prevalence  of  smallpox  in 
Medford,  we  find  the  following  vote  :  "  That  a  fence  and 
gate  be  erected  across  the  main  country  road,  and  a  smoke- 
house also  erected  near  Medford  great  bridge,  and  another 
smokehouse  at  the  West  End,  and  guards  be  kept."  In 
1775,  a  smokehouse  was  opened  for  the  purification  of 
those  persons  who  had  been  exposed  to  the  contagion  of 
smallpox.  It  stood  on  the  west  side  of  Main  Street,  about 
forty  rods  south  of  Colonel  Royal's  house.  Visitors  from 
Charlestown  were  unceremoniously  stopped  and  smoked. 

1775  :  During  this  and  some  following  years,  there  was 
fatal  sickness  in  Medford  from  dysentery.  Out  of  fifty-six 
deaths  in  1775,  twenty-three  were  children.  In  1776,  there 
were  thirty-three  deaths  ;  in  1777,  nineteen  ;  in  1778,  thirty- 
seven  ;  and  in  1779,  thirteen.  No  reason  is  given  for  these 
differences  in  numbers.  Out  of  the  thirty-seven  deaths  of 
1778,  eighteen  were  by  dysentery,  and  twenty  were  children. 
Whooping-cough  has,  at  certain  times,  been  peculiarly  destruc- 
tive. Throat-distemper,  so  called,  is  often  named  among 
prevalent  causes  of  death.  In  1795,  ten  children  and  three 
adults  died  of  it  between  the  20th  of  August  and  the  1st  of 
November.  Apoplexy  seems  to  have  destroyed  very  few 
lives.  During  the  first  fifteen  years  of  Dr.  Osgood's  minis- 
try, only  one  case  occurred ! 

Oct.  15,  1778 :  The  town  voted  to  procure  a  house  for 
those  patients  who  had  the  smallpox.  No  disease  appeared 
to  excite  so  quick  and  sharp  an  alarm  as  this.  The  early 
modes  of  treatment  gave  ample  warrant  for  any  fears.  In 
1792,  the  town  voted  that  Mr.  Josiah  Symmes's  house  is  the 
only  one  authorized  as  a  hospital  for  inoculation.     At  this 


POPULATION.  451 

house,  many,  both  male  and  female,  whom  we  have  known, 
have  told  us  that  the  patients  there  were  numerous,  young, 
and  not  very  sick ;  and  that  the  hilarity  and  frolic  of  the 
convalescents  exceeded  all  bounds. 

There  was  one  disorder  not  uncommon  among  our  early 
settlers  and  their  descendants  :  it  was  dropsy  ;  and  we  opine 
that  over-doses  of  cider  may  have  been  the  cause.  Cider  did 
not  produce  intoxication  ;  but  it  filled  the  stomach  to  satiety, 
and  produced  a  kind  ofwater-loggedness  and  distention,  which 
were  apt  to  make  the  men  cross,  and  the  women  sleepy.  There 
is  another  more  active  demon,  not  chronicled  in  ancient  my- 
thology, whose  history  has  recently  been  written  in  fire.  He 
gets  a  letter  of  introduction,  and  comes  in  the  guise  of  a 
friend  to  a  house,  but  finally  murders  the  whole  family. 
The  temperance  reformers  have  tried  to  cast  this  demon  out ; 
but  he  will  not  depart  until  he  has  thrown  down  his  victim, 
and  "rent  him  sore."  Luxurious  living  has  produced  dis- 
eases in  the  digestive  organs,  and  boundless  ambition  has 
produced  them  in  the  nervous  system.  Humors  have  been 
created  in  our  day,  and  are  becoming  transmissible  to  a  de- 
gree which  threatens  whole  families.  The  marriage  of  first- 
cousins  together  has  done  something  to  produce  imbecility 
and  early  death. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 


POPULATION. 

It  is  supposed  that  Medford,  during  the  first  ten  years  of  its 
settlement,  was  quite  populous ;  but  the  withdrawal  of  Mr. 
Cradock's  men  left  it  small.  Another  circumstance  which 
operated  unfavorably  for  the  settlement  of  the  town  was  the 
few  large  landholders.  Mr.  Cradock's  heirs  sold  lots  of  a 
thousand  acres  to  individuals,  who  kept  possession  of  them ; 
and  thus  excluded  those  enterprising  and  laborious  farmers 
who  were  the  best  settlers  in  those  days.  Medford  could 
fill  up  only  so  fast  as  these  few  rich  owners  consented  to  sell. 
This  fact  explains  much  of  the  early  history  of  the  settlement. 


452  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOKD. 

While  it  secured  the  best  kind  of  settlers,  when  they  did 
come,  it  prevented  that  general  rush  which  took  place  in 
other  districts,  where  land  could  be  had  almost  for  the  asking. 
In  this,  Medford  was  peculiar ;  and  these  facts  explain  why 
the  town  went  so  long  without  public  schools  and  churches. 
Surely,  in  some  respects,  Medford  had  a  small  beginning  ; 
but  Governor  Dudley,  speaking  on  the  subject,  says,  "  Small 
things,  in  the  beginning  of  natural  and  political  bodies,  are 
as  remarkable  as  greater  in  bodies  full  grown." 

The  following  records  give  the  town's  population  at 
several  epochs :  — 

1707  :  Medford  had  46  ratable  polls  ;  which  number,  mul- 
tiplied by  five,  gives  230  inhabitants. 

In  1736,  it  had  133 ;  which  gives  665. 

In  1763,  it  had  104  houses;  147  families;  161  males 
under  sixteen ;  150  females  under  sixteen  ;  207  males  above 
sixteen ;  223  females  above  sixteen.  Total,  741  inhabi- 
tants. 

In  1776,  it  had  967;  in  1784,  981;  in  1790,  1,029;  in 
1800,  1,114;  in  1810,  1,443;  in  1820,  1,474;  in  1830, 
1,755  ;  in  1840,  2,478  ;  in  1850,  3,749, 

In  1854,  1,299  residents  in  Medford  were  taxed. 


MANNERS   AND   CUSTOMS. 

The  law-maxim,  Consuetudo  pro  lege  servatur,  expresses 
what  we  all  feel,  —  that  custom  is  law  ;  and  is  it  not  stronger 
than  any  statute  ?  A  free  people  project  themselves  into 
their  customs  and  manners  as  a  part  of  their  freedom.  So 
was  it  with  our  Medford  ancestors.  The  children  of  our 
first  settlers,  removed  from  the  sight  and  dread  of  European 
aristocracy  and  social  oppression,  grew  up  as  the  iron  cir- 
cumstances of  a  pioneer  life  moulded  them.  Individualism 
seemed  forced  upon  them  ;  and,  if  a  state  organization  ex- 
isted, they  felt  that  it  existed  by  them,  and  not  they  by  it. 
An  intellectual  and  moral  manliness  grew  out  of  this  fact. 

Some  of  the  customs  of  our  ancestors  were  inconceivably 
puerile,  some  were  needlessly  severe,  and  some  gloriously 
noble.  The  Puritan  idea  of  religion  was  woven,  like  a 
golden  thread,  through  the  entire  web  of  human  life ;  and 
nothing  but  their  religion  would  have  enabled  them  to  accom- 
plish what  they  did. 


MANNERS    AND    CUSTOMS.  453 

It  was  the  custom  in  Medford  for  the  selectmen  to  appoint 
a  thanksgiving  day  on  hearing  of  any  victory  gained  by 
British  arms  in  any  quarter  of  the  world.  They  ordered  a 
town-fast  if  a  case  of  smallpox  was  reported  among  them, 
or  if  the  weather  was  unfavorable,  or  if  sickness  prevailed, 
or  if  Quakers  threatened  to  come  to  their  plantation.  But 
there  were  some  physical  and  social  evils  which  they  did  not 
go  to  God  either  to  prevent  or  remedy :  they  took  the  ad- 
ministration into  their  own  hands.  A  Commissioner's  Court, 
composed  in  part  of  the  selectmen  of  Medford,  had  jurisdic- 
tion within  the  town,  and  could  issue  warrants  and  enforce 
judgments.  This  easy  terror  proved  effective  in  restraining 
lawless  conduct.  The  agency  of  this  judicial  and  executive 
power  may  be  seen  in  our  account  of  crimes  and  punishments. 
We  turn  to  more  agreeable  customs. 

Marriages. — "Whether  it  was  from  jealousy  of  ministerial 
rights,  or  hatred  of  Episcopal  forms,  or  from  considering  the 
nuptial  tie  as  a  mere  civil  bond,  or  from  any  other  cause,  we 
know  not ;  but  the  General  Court  early  deprived  clergymen 
of  the  power  of  solemnizing  marriages,  and  bestowed  it  on 
magistrates.  This  legislation  was  in  direct  hostility  to 
English  usage.  May  29, 1686,  the  General  Court  made  pro- 
clamation, authorizing  clergymen  to  solemnize  marriages ;  but 
it  was  a  long  time  before  it  became  common  to  apply  to  them. 

If  a  man  made  tf  a  motion  of  marriage  "  to  his  chosen  one, 
without  first  gaining  the  permission  of  her  parents,  he  was 
fined  severely.  Before  they  could  be  legally  married,  they 
must  be  "  cried  "  three  times  in  some  public  place,  each  an- 
nouncement being  seven  days  apart. 

Weddings  were  occasions  of  exuberant  jollity.  Pent-up 
nature  leaped  forth  with  an  hilarious  spring,  proportioned  to 
the  social  duress  in  which  it  had  been  held.  To  show  how 
much  was  thought  of  these  red-letter  days  in  Medford,  there 
were  instances  where  provisions  for  them  were  made  in  wills. 
The  entire  day  was  devoted  to  one  ;  and  every  form  of  youth- 
ful frolic  and  maturer  joy  came  in  turn.  The  house  of  the 
bride  was  open  for  all  the  invited  guests  of  both  parties ;  and 
rural  games  were  all  the  fashion.  The  cake  and  wine, 
though  abundant,  did  not  prevent  the  offer  of  more  substan- 
tial viands.  A  custom  like  this  would  be  apt  to  run  into 
extremes ;  and  this  became  so  apparent  as  to  call  forth  from 
the  ministers  of  Boston  a  "  testimony  against  evil  customs  " 
in  1719.     They  called  them  if  riotous  irregularities." 


454  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Funerals.  —  As  the  Established  Church  of  the  mother 
country  made  a  formal  service  over  the  remains  of  its  mem- 
bers, it  was  deemed  expedient  and  Christian,  by  the  Puritans, 
not  to  imitate  such  examples  ;  and,  accordingly,  they  buried 
their  dead  without  funeral  prayers.  Neither  did  they  read 
the  Scriptures  !  What  they  could  have  substituted  for  these 
simple,  rational,  and  impressive  rites,  we  do  not  know,  but 
presume  it  must  have  been  a  sermon  and  a  hymn.  The  first 
prayer  made  by  a  clergyman  at  a  funeral,  which  we  have 
heard  of,  was  made  by  Rev.  Mr.  Wilson,  of  Medfield,  at  the 
funeral  of  Rev.  Mr.  Adams,  of  Roxbury,  Aug.  19,  1685. 
The  first  one  made  at  a  funeral  in  Boston  was  at  the  inter- 
ment of  Dr.  Mayhew,  1766.  The  pomp  and  circumstance 
of  grief  were  certainly  not  forgotten  on  this  side  of  the 
Atlantic.  At  the  burial  of  a  rich  man,  a  magistrate,  or  a 
minister,  there  was  great  parade  and  much  expense.  Mourn- 
ing-scarfs, black  crapes,  pendulous  hatbands,  common  gloves, 
and  gold  rings,  were  gratuities  to  the  chief  mourners.  The 
officers  accompanying  the  funeral  procession  bore  staffs  or 
halberts,  robed  in  mourning.'  The  dead  body  was  carried, 
not  by  hired  men,  but  by  the  near  friends  of  the  deceased ; 
and  the  funeral  train  was  often  stopped  to  allow  fresh  bearers 
to  take  their  turn.  When  a  female  was  buried,  females 
walked  first;  when  a  male,  the  men.  At  the  grave,  the 
coffin  was  opened,  to  allow  the  last  look.  On  the  return  to 
the  house,  a  repast  was  served ;  and  there  were  eating  and 
drinking  on  the  largest  scale.  In  a  town  near  Medford,  the 
funeral  of  a  clergyman  took  place  in  1774 ;  and  the  record  of 
charges  runs  thus :  "  For  twelve  gold  rings,  =£8  ;  Lisbon 
wine,  Malaga  wine,  West  India  rum,  £5.  16s.  8d. ;  lemons, 
sugar,  pipes,  and  tobacco,  <£3.  8s.  6rf. ;  gloves,  £40.  Is.  6d. ; 
death's-head  and  cross-bones,  15s."  The  funeral  of  Captain 
Sprague  (1703)  cost  £147.  16s. 

"  The  Grand  American  Continental  Congress,"  assembled 
at  Philadelphia,  1774,  agreed  with  regard  to  funerals  thus : 
"  On  the  death  of  any  relation  or  friend,  none  of  us,  or  any 
of  our  families,  will  go  into  any  further  mourning-dress  than 
a  black  crape  or  ribbon  on  the  arm  or  hat,  for  gentlemen  ; 
and  black  ribbon  and  necklace,  for  ladies ;  and  we  will  dis- 
countenance the  giving  of  gloves  and  scarfs  at  funerals." 
This  resolve  suddenly  changed  the  New-England  customs ; 
and  the  new  customs  then  introduced  continue  to  hold  their 
place. 


MANNERS    AND    CUSTOMS.  455 

Festival  Days.  —  These  were  too  fashionable  in  the  mother 
country  to  be  popular  here.  There  were  some  holidays, 
of  American  origin,  which  were  celebrated  with  enthusiasm. 
Election-day  was  hailed  with  drums,  guns,  and  drinking. 
Commencement-day  at  Cambridge  College  was  a  great  fes- 
tival, uniting  the  church  and  the  state ;  and  each  one  of  the 
whole  community  seemed  personally  interested  in  it.  Small 
detachments  of  boys  from  Medford  went  under  the  care  of 
trusty  slaves.  Neal  says,  "The  people  were  as  cheerful 
among  their  friends  as  the  English  are  at  Christmas."  Or- 
dination-days came  not  very  often ;  but,  when  they  did,  the 
occasion  demanded  great  outlays  in  food  and  drinks  ;  and,  in 
the  evening,  there  were  what  the  ministers  called  "  unbe- 
coming actions,"  —  probably  blindman's-buff,  and  such 
other  tolerable  frolic  as  took  place  at  huskings.  Pope-day, 
though  of  English  origin,  was  noticed  by  our  ancestors  ;  and 
the  5th  of  November  brought  the  gunpowder-plot,  sermons, 
and  carousing,  into  the  same  twenty-four  hours.  It  was  the 
season  for  bonfires,  and  for  replenishing  the  mind  with  hatred 
of  the  Catholics. 

Of  the  European  holidays  which  our  fathers  rejected,  there 
was  Christmas.  If  any  one  observed  it,  he  was  fined  five 
shillings!  Increase  Mather  (1687),  in  his  "Testimony 
against  several  Profane  and  Superstitious  Customs  now  prac- 
tised by  some  in  New  England,"  says  Candlemas-day  had 
"  superstition  written  on  its  forehead."  "  Shrove  Tuesday  was 
the  heathen's  shrove-tide,  when  the  pagan  Romans  made 
little  cakes  as  a  sacrifice  to  their  gods,  and  the  heathen  Greeks 
made  pancakes  to  their  idols."  Drinking  healths,  and 
making  New- Year's  gifts,  were  discouraged,  as  paganish 
customs.  The  drama  was  thus  forbidden :  "  Baptized  per- 
sons are  under  obligation  to  renounce  all  the  pomps  of  Satan, 
and  therefore  to  abhor  and  abandon  stage-plays,  which  have 
a  principal  part  in  the  pomps  of  the  Devil."  For  equally 
valid  reasons,  May-day  was  anathematized ;  and  when,  in 
Charlestown,  they  thought  of  erecting  a  May-pole,  Mr.  Mather, 
in  1686,  said,  "  It  is  an  abominable  shame,  that  any  persons, 
in  a  land  of  such  light  and  purity  as  New  England  has  been, 
should  have  the  face  to  speak  or  think  of  practising  so  vile  a 
piece  of  heathenism."  Dancing  was  dangerous  because  "the 
daughter  of  Herodias  danced  John  the  Baptist's  head  off." 
But  Mr.  Mather  says,  in  1685,  that,  within  "  the  last  year, 
promiscuous   dancing  was  openly  practised,  and  too  much 


456  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

countenanced,  in  this  town."  He  further  says,  "I  can 
remember  the  time,  when,  for  many  years,  not  so  much  as 
one  of  these  superstitious  customs  was  known  to  be  practised 
in  this  land.  Ask  such  of  the  old  standers  if  it  were  not  so. 
Alas !  that  so  many  of  the  present  generation  have  so  early 
corrupted  their  doings  !  Methinks  I  hear  the  Lord  speaking 
to  New  England  as  once  to  Israel :  '  I  planted  thee  a  noble 
vine,  wholly  a  right  seed.  How  art  thou  turned  into  the 
degenerate  plant  of  a  strange  vine  unto  me ! ' " 

It  is  very  clear,  from  these  facts,  that  the  minds  of  our 
fathers  were  magnetized  by  predilections  which  could  not 
tolerate  innovation. 

We  would  now  descend  to  particulars  and  personalities, 
and  speak  minutely  of  some  of  the  domestic  customs  of  our 
ancestors.     We  will  begin  with  — 

Dress.  —  The  costume  of  our  early  settlers  had  the  pecu- 
liarities of  their  day.  There  was  then,  as  now,  a  rage  for 
something  new;  but  the  range  in  variety  was  very  small. 
Nevertheless,  female  extravagance  had  gone  so  far,  that  an 
interdict  of  legislation  was  called  for  to  arrest  the  destructive 
expenditures  ;  and,  Sept.  3,  1634,  the  General  Court  said,  — 

"  The  court  hath  ordered,  that  no  person,  either  man  or  woman, 
shall  hereafter  make  or  buy  any  apparel,  either  woollen,  silk,  or 
linen,  with  any  lace  on  it, "silver,  gold,  silk,  or  thread,  under  the 
penalty  of  forfeiture  of  said  clothes.  Also  all  gold  or  silver  girdles, 
hatbands,  belts,  ruffs,  beaver-hats,  are  prohibited.  Also  immo- 
derate great  sleeves,  slashed  apparel,  immoderate  great  rayles,  long 
wings,  &c." 

It  took  only  five  years  for  the  modistes  of  this  centre  of 
transatlantic  fashion  to  change  the  forms  so  as  to  make 
another  legislative  interference  necessary.  Accordingly,  on 
the  9th  of  September,  1639,  the  General  Court  forbade  lace 
to  be  sold  or  used  ;  and  they  say,  — 

"  Hereafter,  no  garment  shall  be  made  with  short  sleeves,  whereby 
the  nakedness  of  the  arm  may  be  discovered  in  the  wearing  thereof; 
and,  hereafter,  no  person  whatsoever  shall  make  any  garment  for 
women,  or  any  of  their  sex,  with  sleeves  more  than  half  an  ell  wide 
in  the  widest  place  thereof;  and  so  proportionable  for  bigger  or 
smaller  persons." 

In  this  forbidding  of  bare  necks  and  naked  arms  (the 
very  opposite  of  the  dress  a  la  sauvage),  there  was  neither 
studied  humility  nor   conspicuous   poverty,  but  the  recom- 


MANNERS    AND    CUSTOMS. 


457 


mendation  of  clothes  typical  of  true  Puritan  ideas,  —  clothes 
that  would  not  patronize  coughs,  consumptions,  pride,  or 
taxes.  As  the  royal  family  and  the  nobility  led  the  Eng- 
lish nation  in  habits  of  dress,  they  would  not  be  so  implicitly 
followed  on  this  side  of  the  water.  As  faithful  disciples 
turn  their  faces  to  Jerusalem  or  Mecca,  so  modern  fashionists 
turn  their  eyes  to  Paris ;  for  France  is  subjugating  the  world 
to  millinery.  Thus  it  was  not  with  our  Pilgrim  ancestors. 
They  dared  to  think  for  themselves  ;  and  they  dared  to  make 
laws  against  the  customs  and  costumes  of  their  native  land. 
The  single  fact  that  our  Colonial  Legislature  took  up  the 
subject  of  dress,  — female  dress,  too,  — is  a  proof  of  their  clear 
ideas  and  consistent  characters.  What  body  of  men  had  ever 
before  dared  thus  to  legislate  on  such  a  subject  ?  It  is  very 
evident  to  us,  therefore,  what  kind  of  dress  the  Medford 
ladies  had  not ;  and  we  can  conceive  the  dumb  wonder  and 
inexpressible  blushing  which  the  appearance  of  one  of  our 
expose  celebrities  would  cause  among  them  at  an  evening 
party.  It  is  wonderful  how  the  highest  civilization  brings 
us  back  to  Eden! 

The  common  every-day  dress  of  our  ancestors  was  very 
plain,  strong,  and  comfortable ;  but  their  Sunday  suits  were 
expensive,  elaborate,  and  ornamental.  The  men,  in  their 
Sunday  attire,  wore  broad-brimmed  hats,  turned  up  into 
three  corners,  with  loops  at  the  side,  showing  full  bush-wigs 
beneath  them ;  long  coats,  the  very  opposite  of  the  swallow- 
tails, having  large  pocket-folds  and  cuffs,  and  without  collars, 
the  buttons  either  plated  or  of  pure  silver,  and  of  the  size  of 
half  a  dollar ;  vests,  also  without  collars,  but  very  long,  hav- 
ing graceful  pendulous  lappet-pockets ;  shirts,  with  bosom 
and  wrist  ruffles,  and  with  gold  and  silver  buckles  at  the 
wrist,  united  by  a  link;  the  neckcloths  or  scarfs  of  fine 
linen,  or  figured  stuff,  or  embroidered,  the  ends  hanging 
loosely.  Small-clothes  were  in  fashion,  and  only  reached  a 
little  below  the  knees,  where  they  were  ornamented  with  sil- 
ver buckles  of  liberal  size  ;  the  legs  were  covered  with  gray 
stockings,  and  the  feet  with  shoes,  ornamented  with  straps 
and  silver  buckles  ;  boots  were  sometimes  worn,  having  broad 
white  tops  ;  gloves,  on  great  occasions ;  and  mittens,  in  the 
winter.  A  gentleman,  with  his  cocked-up  hat  and  white 
bush-wig ;  his  chocolate-colored  coat,  buff  vest,  and  small- 
clothes ;  his  brown  stockings  and  black  shoes ;  his  ruffles, 
buckles,  and  buttons,  —  presented  an  imposing  figure,  and 
58 


458  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

showed  a  man  who  would  probably  demean  himself  with 
dignity  and  intelligence. 

The  best  dress  of  the  rich  was  very  costly  :  The  scarlet 
coat,  wadded  skirts,  full  sleeves,  cuffs  reaching  to  the  elbows, 
wristbands  fringed  with  lace  ;  embroidered  bands,  tassels, 
gold  buttons  ;  vests  fringed  with  lace  ;  and  small-clothes  with 
puffs,  points,  buckles,  &c.  ;  a  sword  hanging  by  the  side. 

The  visiting-dress  of  the  ladies  was  more  costly,  compli- 
cated, and  ornamental  than  their  husbands  or  brothers  wore. 
But  with  them  we  have  little  to  do  in  this  brief  notice,  and 
therefore  leave  to  others  the  description  of  their  coiffures, 
which  ,were  so  high  as  to  bring  their  faces  almost  into  the 
middle  of  their  bodies  ;  their  black  silk  and  satin  bonnets  ; 
their  gowns,  so  extremely  long-waisted  ;  their  tight  sleeves, 
which  were  sometimes  very  short,  with  an  immense  frill  at 
the  elbow  ;  their  spreading  hoops  and  long  trails  ;  their  high- 
heeled  shoes ;  and  their  rich  brocades,  flounces,  spangles, 
embroidered  aprons,  &c.  Their  dress  on  the  sabbath  was 
simple,  secure,  and  modest :  A  cheap  straw  bonnet,  with  only 
one  bow  without,  and' no  ornament  but  the  face  within;  a 
calico  dress,  of  sober  colors,  high  up  in  the  neck,  with  a 
simple  white  muslin  collar  just  peeping  round  the  top ; 
a  neat  little  shawl,  and  a  stout  pair  of  shoes,  —  these  pre- 
sented to  the  eye  the  Puritan  costume*  of  our  ancestral  and 
pious  mothers.  They  were  happy,  some  may  think,  in  being 
free  from  the  more  than  royal  tyranny  of  those  modern  mis- 
tresses of  shears  and  needles,  who  distort  and  crucify  nature 
to  furnish  that  variety  which  caprice  must  have,  and  whose 
new  fashions  finally  penetrate  the  abodes  of  our  northern 
subterranean  Esquimaux,  and  the  huts  of  the  South-Sea 
islanders.  It  is  certainly  to  be  hoped  that  these  kaleidoscope 
changes  of  our  day  may  do  something  for  artistic  beauty,  and 
something  for  feeding  the  poor  artisans ;  and  thus  be  some 
compensation  for  converting  females  into  manikins  to  show 
off  satins  and  embroideries.  We  look  with  anxiety  for  the 
time  when  old  things  shall  become  new ;  when  hoops  and 
pattens,  silk  cloaks  and  top-knots,  tunics  and  scarlet  belts, 
sacks  and  ruffle  cuffs,  small-clothes  and  silver  buckles,  em- 
broidered vests  and  neck-ties,  powdered  hair  and  long  cues, 
shall  drive  out  the  tiptoe  modes  of  modern  days,  and  reign 
again  supreme. 

The  best  dwelling-houses  of  our  Medford  ancestors  were 
two  stories  high  in  front,  slanting  off  to  one  story  in  the  rear. 


MANNERS    AND    CUSTOMS. 


459 


There  was  one  strong  chimney  in  the  centre  of  the  building ; 
and  the  windows  were  glazed  with  diamond-glass.  It  was 
deemed  of  primary  importance  that  the  dwelling  should  face 
the  south.  A  very  few  specimens  of  this  style  of  architecture 
remain  unaltered  among  us. 

The  first  houses  of  the  farmers  in  this  plantation  were  log- 
huts  of  one  story,  with  thatched  roof,  having  lofts  inside, 
like  our  barns.  The  fireplaces  were  made  of  rough  stones, 
and  the  upper  half  of  the  chimneys  with  short  sticks,  cross- 
ing each  other,  and  plastered  inside  with  clay.  The  houses 
always  fronted  the  south,  like  sun-dials,  so  that  the  mid-'day 
sun  might  "  shine  square." 

Let  us  look  at  a  family  thus  conditioned.  They  have 
chosen  a  spot  near  the  Mystic  River,  where  the  highest  tides 
cannot  annoy  them  ;  and  their  house  seems  thrust  into  the 
thickest  wood.  No  yard  in  front,  no  wall  behind,  no  path, 
no  gate,  —  all  open  as  an  unfenced  forest :  there  seems  not 
even  an  outlet  into  the  civilized  world.  The  young  under- 
growth of  wood  is  springing  up  beneath  the  windows  ;  the 
wild  sumachs  and  blackberry  vines  are  breaking  into  the  cel- 
lar ;  the  sturdy  pitch-pines  are  rubbing  and  crackling  against 
the  thatch-poles  ;  the  golden-rod  is  intertwining  itself  among 
the  white  birch  and  dark  hazel ;  while  a  centenarian  oak  and 
a  towering  walnut  stand  near  enough  to  promise  shade  and 
take  the  lightning.  Here  each  member  of  the  family  in  the 
log-hut  can  run  up  a  pleasant  acquaintance  with  a  blooming 
beech-tree  or  a  tapering  cedar,  with  a  graceful  "  dressed  elm  " 
or  a  glossy-leaved  chestnut. 

"  He  who  loves  to  hold  communion  with  Nature's  beauti- 
ful forms"  will  not  need  other  society  here.  The  wind 
labors  and  roars  in  tie  forest;  the  susurum  murmurs  its 
^olian  music  through  the  pines  ;  the  tide  goes  and  comes  like 
a  faithful  messenger ;  and  the  sun,  moon,  and  stars  seem  to 
belong  to  that  litcle  world. 

Add  to  all  chese  the  frolic  and  movements  of  animals. 
How  social  were  they  with  the  early  comers!  European 
eyes,  for  the  first  time,  could  watch  the  racing  of  the  Ameri- 
can weazel,  that  agile  hunter  of  the  woods ;  the  dodging  of 
the  gray  squirrel  in  the  nut-tree;  the  undisturbed  meal 
of  the  w'oodchuck  in  the  clover  ;  the  patient  labor  of  the  bea- 
ver in  building,  his  house;  and  the  craft  of  the  fox,  as.  he 
barks  in  the  moonlight  to  start  his  game. 

There  was    something  to  engage  attention   even  in  the 


460  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

waters.  They  had  a  morning,  noon,  and  evening  song ;  for 
the  little  frogs  would  send  forth  their  gentle  peep  through 
hours  of  darkness  ;  while  great  ones,  at  mid-day,  would  grum- 
ble out  their  hoarse  password,  and  throw  back  their  sentinel 
echoes  round  the  shores  of  their  Stygian  pools. 

There  is  a  vast  and  unaccountable  friendliness  in  birds. 
They  would  take  to  men  as  companions,  if  men  would  only 
let  them.  Our  ancestors  in  Medford  were  in  a  district  which 
naturally  collected  birds  from  ocean  and  forest,  from  upland 
and  meadow.  At  their  doors,  they  had  the  useful  cock  and 
hen,  the  brilliant  mallard-duck,  and  the  sentinel  white  goose. 
At  early  dawn,  those  notes  of  chanticleer  —  calling  upon 
every  sleeper  to  rise,  and  take  a  draught  of  undiluted  morn- 
ing air  from  the  fountain  of  the  day  —  those  notes  are  so  clear 
and  powerful  and  strange  that  we  should  go  a  hundred  miles 
to  hear  them,  if  the  bird  had  never  been  domesticated.  The 
inmates  of  the  log-hut  listen  to  this  noble  creature,  speaking 
to  them  with  the  authority  of  a  major-general  on  parade. 
They  love  this  faithful  bird,  this  once  wild  Indian  pheasant ; 
and  they  cherish  him  with  the  affection  of  a  friend.  And  is 
he  not  truly  a  wonderful  bird  ?  Wherever  he  is,  he  has 
good  health,  strong  lungs,  and  spirits  like  a  young  lover. 
All  climates  agree  with  him  ;  and  the  poets  of  all  times  have 
sung  his  praises.  Our  fathers  wisely  guarded  him  and  his 
family  as  a  secret  treasure. 

And  was  there  ennui  in  the  log-hut  on  the  banks  of  the 
Mystic  ?  If  so,  the  birds  alone  could  have  dissipated  it. 
The  oriole,  the  robin,  and  the  thrush,  the  swallow,  the  hum- 
ming-bird, and  the  wren,  were  enough  to  put  all  despondency 
to  flight.  How  could  they  be  sad,  ^ho  saw  the  sandpipers 
coming  in  flocks,  and  heard  the  plovers  whistling  on  the 
hill  ?  How  could  they  be  sad,  who  couVL  hear  the  blue-jay 
screaming  in  the  thicket,  or  the  kingfisher  rattling  by  the 
river's  side  ?  What  human  heart  could  despond,  when  it 
witnessed  the  lark  soaring  towards  heaven  in  his  spiral  flight, 
as  if  to  carry  his  prayer  of  faith  to  the  very  throne  of  mercy  ? 

In  every  bird,  there  is  something  to  please  and  to  instruct 
man.  In  those  unbroken  solitudes  of  Nature,  our  forefathers 
had  the  privilege  of  witnessing  the  marvellous  contrasts 
exhibited  by  the  feathered  tribes.  With  what  wonder  must 
they  have  watched  the  wild-goose,  of  which  it  may  almost  be 
said,  that  he  breaks  his  fast  at  Baffin's  Bay,  takes  his  lunch 
in  Medford  Pond,  and  plumes  himself  at  nightfall  in  a  southern 


DAILY    AND   DOMESTIC    HABITS.  461 

bayou !  How  different  from  him  the  laughing-loon,  catching 
minnows  in  the  shallows  of  a  creek !  Mark  the  majestic  sail- 
ing of  the  eagle  through  the  deep  of  air  ;  and  contrast  this 
with  the  bittern,  driving  his  post  in  the  meadow.  Then  there 
is  the  owl,  Nature's  watchman,  waiting  for  the  dawning  of  his 
day,  which  is  sundown.  Listen  to  his  midnight  love-note, 
which  seems  discord  and  sighs  hooted  at  the  moon ;  and  see* 
him  shoot  through  a  tangled  forest  in  the  dark,  as  if  every 
tree  and  twig  made  way  for  him  !  And,  last  of  all,  give  an  ear 
to  the  whippoorwill,  as  he  sings  with  clear  and  healthy  note 
his  matins  and  vespers.  . 

•  Group  together  all  these  joys  and  teachings  of  animated 
nature,  each  so  friendly  to  man,  and  all  so  abundant  and  so 
lofty,  and  how  could  the  witnesses  of  them  be  weary  or  sor- 
rowful ?  We  believe  they  were  not ;  but,  on  the  contrary, 
they  joined  the  general  chorus  with  loving  and  devoted  hearts, 
making  the  whole  earth  an  altar  of  thanksgiving,  and  the 
whole  heavens  the  witness  of  their  joy. 


.DAILY    AND    DOMESTIC    HABITS. 

We  may  get  the  truest  ideas  of  these  by  watching,  through 
two  days,  all  the  plans  and  movements  of  that  family  in  the 
log-hut  on  the  banks  of  the  Mystic.  We  will  take  Satur- 
day and  Sunday.  Let  us  look  closely.  The  father  is  a 
strong  man  of  forty-six,  with  a  true  Puritan  heart ;  and  his 
wife  is  seven  years  his  junior,  with  good  health  and  without 
anxiety.  Their  first  child  is  a  son,  eighteen  years  old ;  the 
next  is  a  daughter  of  sixteen ;  then  come  three  boys,  their 
ages  fourteen,  eleven,  and  eight ;  and  the  youngest  child  is  a 
daughter,  aged  six.  Of  hired  men  or  women,  they  had  none. 
Extra  help  came  from  what  they  called  "  change  work." 

Let  us  first  mark  the  cares  and  labors  of  the  farmer  and  his 
boys.  Saturday  was  a  busy  day  with  them  ;  although  one 
day's  or  one  year's  experience  was  almost  exactly  like 
another's. 

To  rise  early  was  not  considered  worthy  of  any  remark ; 
while  not  rising  early  would  have  been  deemed  a  crime.  To 
be  up  before  daylight  was  a  matter  of  course  with  every 
family.  The  father  was  expected  to  move  first ;  to  strike  a 
light  with  flint  and  steel ;  to  kindle  a  fire  under  the  kettle  in 
which  the  water  for  the  porridge  was  to  be  boiled.     This  done, 


462  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

he  calls  the  boys,  who  soon  appear,  and  after  them  the 
mother  and  daughter.  One  wooden  wash-basin,  in  the  sink, 
served  each  in  turn  for  morning  ablutions ;  and  one  roller 
sufficed  for  wiping  all  faces.  Their  dress  is  suited  to  their 
work.  The  father  wears  an  old  cocked-up  hat,  or  a  thick 
cotton  cap  ;  no  cravat,  but  a  low  shirt-collar  ;  a  short  frock  of 
Strongest  warp  ;  a  pair  of  old  leather  breeches  ;  and  leggins, 
which  were  confined  above  the  knee,  and  tied  over  the  shoe 
with  a  string  round  the  middle  of  the  foot.  The  boys  had 
cotton  caps  on  their  heads,  or  the  remnants  of  old  felt-hats  ; 
short  jackets,  of  the  coarsest  fabric  ;  leather  breeches,  and  leg- 
gins.  By  earliest  dawn,  the  father  and  his  three  eldest  sons 
are  in  the  cow-yard,  milking.  This  over,  the  youngest  son 
drives  the  cows  to  pasture,  and  hastens  back  to  the  next  duties. 
The  hogs  have  received  their  allowance  of  buttermilk.  The 
morning's  milk  has  been  strained  and  set  for  cream,  or  heated 
to  begin  a  cheese.  Then  come  the  reading  of  the  Sacred 
Scriptures  and  the  family  prayers.  Immediately  afterwards 
follows  the  breakfast,  which  in  winter  is  by  candle-light,  and 
in  summer  by  dawn-light.  The  breakfast,  commenced  by 
"  asking  a  blessing  "  and  closed  by  "  returning  thanks,"  con- 
sists of  pea-porridge,  dealt  out,  before  sitting  down,  in  small 
wooden  bowls.  A  small  central  dish  has  in  it  some  salted 
shad  and  smoked  alewives  ;  or  peradventure  some  fresh  eels, 
which  the  boys  caught  from  the  river  the  evening  before. 
With  these,  brown  bread  and  beer  are  served ;  and  here  end- 
ed the  usual  variety.  Sometimes  the  children  were  regaled 
with  samp  and  milk,  and  the  father  with  boiled  salt  pork. 
From  the  breakfast-table,  the  father  and  sons  repair  to  the 
field,  and  are  at  work  by  six  o'clock.  With  their  tools,  they 
have  taken  the  family-gun,  not  so  much  from  fear  of  Indians, 
as  the  hope  of  securing  some  valuable  game.  Sometimes  a 
fine  deer  crosses  their  field,  on  his  way  to  the  river ;  and,  if 
they  are  so  fortunate  as  to  take  him,  it  makes  a  feast-week  at 
home  ;  for  every  part  is  eaten.  Salted  and  smoked,  it  was 
deemed  a  very  savory  dish.  By  half-past  eight  o'clock,  our 
laborers  in  the  field  are  ready  for  the  usual  lunch,  which  con- 
sists of  smoked  shad,  bread  and  cheese,  and  cider.  Thus 
sustained  till  a  quarter  before  twelve,  they  hear  the  dinner- 
horn  announcing  —  what  the  boys  had  been  expecting  with  im- 
patience —  dinner.  All  hands  break  off  and  start  for  home, 
and  are  ready  to  sit  down  at  the  table  just  as  the  sun  is 
square  on  the  window-ledge,  and  the  sand  in  the  hour-glass 


DAILY    AND    DOMESTIC    HABITS.  463 

is  out.  A  blessing  craved,  they  begin  with  the  Indian  pud- 
ding, and  relish  it  with  a  little  molasses.  Next  come  a  piece 
of  broiled  salt  pork,  or  black  broth,  fried  eggs,  brown  bread, 
cabbage,  and  cider.  They  denominated  their  dinner  "  boiled 
victuals  ; "  and  their  plates,  "  wooden  trenchers."  Potatoes 
did  not  come  into  use  till  1733 ;  tea  and  coffee,  till  1700. 
Turnips,  carrots,  and  parsnips  were  cultivated.  Dinner  de- 
spatched in  fifteen  minutes,  the  time  till  one  o'clock  was  called 
"  nooning,"  when  each  laborer  was  free  to  sleep  or  play. 
Nooning  over,  they  repair  to  the  fields,  and  find  that  a  fox  or 
wolf  has  killed  a  sheep,  and  eaten  his  dinner.  The  father 
takes  his  gun  and  hastens  in  search,  telling  the  boys  "  to  keep 
at  their  work,  and,  if  they  see  the  fox,  to  whistle  with  all 
their  might."  The  fox,  that  took  great  pains  to  be  there 
when  the  owner  was  away,  now  takes  great  pains  to  be  away 
when  the  owner  is  there.  A  drink  of  good  beer  all  round, 
at  three  o'clock,  is  the  only  relief  in  the  afternoon's  toil, 
which  ends  at  five ;  at  which  hour  the  youngest  son  drives 
home  the  cows,  and  the  milking  is  finished  at  six.  The  hogs 
and  sheep  are  now  called  to  their  enclosures  near  the  barn, 
where  the  faithful  dog  will  guard  them  from  their  night- 
prowling  enemies.  All  things  being  safe,  supper  is  ready. 
The  father  takes  a  slice  of  cold  broiled  pork,  the  usual  brown 
bread,  and  a  mug  of  beer,  while  the  boys  are  regaled  with 
milk  porridge  or  hasty-pudding.  In  their  season,  they  had 
water-melons  and  musk-melons  ;  and,  for  extra  occasions,  a 
little  cherry  wine.  Sometimes  they  had  boiled  Indian  corn, 
mixed  with  kidney-beans.-  Into  bean  and  pea  porridge  they 
put  a  slice  of  salted  venison.  They  had  also  succatash, 
which  is  corn  and  beans  boiled  together.  The  meat  of  the 
shag-bark  was  dried  and  pounded,  and  then  put  into  their 
porridge  to  thicken  it.  The  barley  fire-cake  was  served  ab 
breakfast.  They  parched  corn,  and  pounded  it,  and  made  it 
into  a  nokake.  Baked  pumpkins  were  common.  The  extra 
dish,  for  company,  was  a  cake  made  of  strawberries  and 
parched  corn.  The  same  religious  exercises  as  were  offered 
at  dinner  are  now  repeated.  At  seven  o'clock  a  neighbor 
calls,  not  to  ask  the  news,  for  there  is  none,  but  to  propose  a 
change  of  work  for  next  Tuesday.  This  is  agreed  to ;  and, 
as  our  ancestors  made  up  in  hearty  welcome  what  they  wanted 
in  luxuries,  a  mug  of  cider  is  drunk,  by  way  of  entertainment ; 
and  half-past  seven  finds  the  neighbor  gone,  and  the  house- 
hold ready  for  family  prayers.     The  Scriptures  are  read  in 


464  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

turn,  —  the  Old  Testament  in  the  morning,  and  the  New  at 
night.  Eight  o'clock  records  the  entire  family  in  bed,  except 
one  of  the  boys,  who  has  an  inquisitive  mind,  and  has  bor- 
rowed a  book  on  witchcraft ;  and  he  is  allowed  to  sit  up  till 
nine,  and  read  by  the  light  of  a  pitch-pine  knot,  stuck  into  a 
hole  in  the  chimney-corner. 

This  simple  round  of  needful  duties  must  be  daily  repeated 
through  the  six  months  of  warm  weather,  and  a  yet  more 
simple  routine  for  the  remainder  of  the  year. 

Now  let  us  see  how  the  mother  and  daughters  get  through 
that  Saturday  in  the  log-hut  on  the  banks  of  the  Mystic. 
Their  house  —  which  had  two  covered  rooms  below,  a 
kitchen  that  went  up  to  the  roof,  and  two  lofts  as  attic  cham- 
bers —  required  very  little  care  ;  and  the  beds  could  be  made 
in  an  incredibly  short  time.  The  first  duty  of  the  morning 
was  cooking  the  breakfast ;  and,  after  the  water  was  boiling, 
it  needed  but  thirty  minutes  to  complete  the  process.  The 
daughter  sat  the  table,  whose  furniture  consisted  of  wooden 
plates,  pewter  spoons,  two  knives  and  forks,  the  father's  dish 
of  smoked  shad,  the  boys'  bowls  of  pea-porridge,  a  plate  of 
brown  bread,  and  a  mug  of  cider.  To  wash  up  and  clear  off 
the  whole,  after  breakfast,  needed  but  fifteen  minutes  of  brisk 
application  by  the  two  daughters.  The  lunch  prepared  for 
the  men  has  gone  with  them  to  the  field  ;  and  now  the  cheese 
must  be  made,  and  it  must  be  made  with  care.  This  takes  till 
eight  o'clock  ;  and  hard  work  it  is,  —  the  "  turning  "  of  the 
cheeses  harder  still.  Saturday  is  baking-day ;  and  the  three 
females  are  busy  in  preparing  for  the  event.  The  oven  had  its 
opening  on  the  outside  of  the  house,  behind  the  chimney,  and 
was  double  the  size  of  modern  ones.  One  brings  wood  to  heat 
the  oven ;  another  gets  the  Indian  meal  and  rye ;  a  third  brings 
a  pail  of  water.  Here  are  beans  to  be  picked  over,  pork  to  be 
cut,  and  dough  to  be  kneaded.  The  kitchen  is  busy  ;  all  hands 
are  at  work  ;  and  the  baking  for  seven  days  cannot  be  pre- 
pared in  less  than  three  hours.  Eleven  o'clock  has  unex- 
pectedly come,  and  it  demands  that  dinner  should  be  thought 
of;  and  all  other  business  is  supended  to  provide  for  that. 
At  the  fixed  moment,  the  elder  daughter  blows  the  horn ; 
and  the  laborers  from  the  field  are  anon  at  their  dinner.  No 
washing  up  of  dinner-things  to-day  till  after  the  batch  is  set  in. 
The  oven  is  soon  cleared  of  fire,  swept,  and  dusted  ;  and 
then  go  into  the  hottest  part  the  large  oval  lumps  of  brown- 
bread  dough,  because  they  require  the  strongest  heat.     Next 


DAILY    AND   DOMESTIC   HABITS.  465 

comes  the  huge  stone  pot  of  beans,  with  its  top  covered  by  a 
thick  slice  of  pork  ;  and  beside  it  the  Indian  pudding,  in 
a  broad,  deep,  earthen  bowl.  The  oven's  mouth  is  stopped 
with  a  piece  of  plank,  and  the  crevices  are  plastered  up  with 
clay.  Two  o'clock  witnesses  all  things  in  trim  order ;  and 
the  mother  is  ready  to  do  a  little  weaving,  the  elder  daughter 
a  little  mending,  and  the  child  steals  out  for  a  little  play  with 
her  pet  lamb.  A  female  neighbor  has  just  come  through  the 
woods  to  invite  her  friends  to  a  "quilting,"  which  is  to 
begin  at  one  o'clock  next  Wednesday.  The  joy  of  such  an 
event  makes  the  bright  eyes  of  the  daughter  laugh  at  every 
corner.  The  whole  heavens,  to  her,  are  now  spangled  with 
rainbows.  To  refuse  such  an  invitation  is  unheard  of.  The 
visitor  has  left ;  and  the  girl  of  sixteen  is  plying  her  mother 
with  questions  about  who  will  be  at  the  quilting,  not  daring 
to  ask  about  one  whom  she  most  hopes  may  drop  in  during 
the  evening.  So  engrossed  have  become  the  minds  of  the 
mother  and  daughter,  that  they  have  half  forgotten  that  sup- 
per must  be  had.  They  now  hasten  to  their  work,  and  have 
all  tilings  ready  in  due  season.  As  soon  as  the  brothers  enter 
the  house,  the  sister  announces  the  great  quilting-party ;  and 
the  fond  father  smiles  at  the  exuberant  joy  of  that  darling 
creature,  who  is  just  budding  into  womanhood.  Earlier 
than  usual  is  all  labor  and  worldly  care  to  cease ;  for  it  is 
Saturday  night.  The  sabbath  is  at  hand  ;  and  therefore  they 
would  shake  off  the  dust  of  earth  from  their  sandals,  and  pre- 
pare their  hearts  for  that  day  which  God  has  prepared  for 
them.  Every  thing  is  ready.  The  sun  goes  down ;  and  their 
sabbath  has  begun.  The  family  soon  gather  about  their  do- 
mestic altar;  and  the  pious  father  reads  the  Sacred  Scrip- 
tures, and  then  offers  his  Saturday-evening  prayer.  It  is  not 
long  before  the  weary  inmates  of  that  house  begin  to  think 
of  rest.  The  weekly  ablutions,  required  on  this  evening,  are 
gone  through  by  all  the  younger  members  of  the  circle; 
after  which  they  all  retire,  —  the  father  to  count  up  the  gains 
of  the  week,  the  mother  to  plan  for  the  good  of  her  children, 
the  boys  to  travel  in  the  land  of  nod,  and  the  daughter  to 
guess  whom  she  will  meet  at  the  quilting. 

Here  let  us  say  a  word  about  the  mother's  duties,  which 
were  as  important,  and  oftentimes  more  onerous,  than  the 
father's.  Sick  or  well,  the  cooking  and  washing  must  be 
done  ;  and  "  hired  help  "  could  not  be  had.  Moreover,  the 
butter  and  cheese  must  be  made,  the  cloth  must  be  woven, 


466  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

the  stockings  must  be  knit,  and  the  weekly  mending  must 
be  done.  To  clothe  and  feed  the  several  laborers,  and  then 
to  receive  and  take  care  of  many  products  of  the  farm, 
belonged  to  the  molher  and  daughter.  The  toil  of  the  females 
was  as  unremitted  as  the  alternation  of  morning  and  even- 
ing ;  and  no  day  in  the  year  could  bring  them  a  vacation. 
How  much  may  be  said  of  the  part  that  woman  played,  or 
rather  worked,  in  the  grand  drama  of  our  first  settlements ! 
"What  would  our  Pilgrim  Fathers  have  been  without  our  Pil- 
grim Mothers  ?  Shaggy  barbarians  of  the  woods.  "Woman 
dared  to  follow  where  man  dared  to  lead ;  and  she  brought 
with  her  the  humanizing  amenities  of  social  life,  and  the 
sanctifying  power  of  true  religion.  She  came  to  this  wilder- 
ness with  a  brave  heart  and  a  Christian  faith,  that  she  might 
share  the  perils  and  brighten  the  hopes  of  her  husband  ;  and, 
when  here,  "  she  looked  well  to  the  ways  of  her  household, 
and  ate  not  the  bread  of  idleness."  Man  may  be  said  to  have 
the  calloused  hand,  the  sinewy  arm,  and  the  lion  soul ;  but 
did  it  not  require  some  courage  in  the  mother  to  stay  at  home 
all  day  alone  in  the  log-hut,  when  the  bears  and  wolves  and 
Indians  might  be  nearer  to  her  than  her  protector?  The 
patient  moral  force  of  Christian  woman  cannot  be  over-stated  ; 
and  our  Pilgrim  Mothers  have  never  been  over-praised. 
Their  coming  here  emancipated  them.  Escaping  from  the 
duress  of  semi-feudal  caste  in  Europe,  they  sprang  upward 
to  their  natural  place,  —  the  equal  and  companion  of  man. 
Nowhere  had  the  like  of  this  been  seen  in  the  world  before  ; 
and  nowhere  else  is  now  to  be  seen  this  new  type  of  woman. 
These  missionaries  of  Heaven's  love  shaped  the  character  and 
the  happy  and  holy  homes  of  New  England ;  and  these  homes 
were  the  primal  causes  of  our  country's  intelligence  and  vir- 
tue, which,  in  their  turn,  became  the  causes  of  our  present 
prosperity  and  ultimate  independence.  A  man  honors  him- 
self when  he  honors  his  mother,  —  a  mother  who  lived  on 
earth  as  if  she  were  living  in  heaven,  —  that  mother 

"  Whom  God  created  in  a  smile  of  grace, 
And  left  the  smile  that  made  her  in  her  face." 

We  have  seen  how  the  farmer's  family,  in  the  log-hut  on 
the  banks  of  the  Mystic,  passed  their  Saturday :  let  us  now 
see  what  they  do  on  the  following  Sunday.  The  only  manual 
labor  allowed  was  that^of  imperious  necessity:  any  thing 
further  was  thought  to  violate  the  jealous  sanctity  of  the 


DAILY    AND    DOMESTIC    HABITS.  467 

day.     The  iron  strictness  with  which  Sunday  must  be  kept, 
made  every  Puritan  look  on  that  occasion  as  if  two  fast-days 
had  met  in  one.     The  hour  of  rising  was  remarkably  late ; 
and  nothing  like  hurry  was  seen  in  the  house.     Nature  found 
a  relief  in   this.      When  the   milking  was  over,  and  "the 
chores  done,"  the  quiet  breakfast  gathers  the  sober  family 
around  the  table,  where  the  usual  provisions  are  spread,  and 
where,  at  the  end  of  the  meal,  the  mother  surprises  her  sons 
with    a    fresh-baked    apple-pie,   smoking    from    a  two-quart 
earthen  dish.     This  argument,  addressed  to  the  stomach,  the 
children  readily  comprehend  ;  and  each  one  takes  his  slice  in 
his  hand,  and,  without  winking,  proceeds  to  business.     Break- 
fast being  finished,  the  morning  worship  is  now  to  be  offered. 
The  father  takes  the  family  Bible  ;  calls  his  little  daughter  to 
look  over  him  as  he  reads  ;  and  then,  in  slow  and  reverent 
tone,  reads  two  or  three  chapters  from  the  New  Testament. 
Careful  not  to  kneel  and  not  to  sit,  the  family  all  stand  up 
while  the  father,  in  extemporaneous  prayer,  thanks  the  Giver 
of  every  good  for  his  bounties,  confesses   his  sins  with  hu- 
mility and  penitence,  asks  for  pardon  through  a  divine  Re- 
deemer, supplicates   for  the  new  heart  and  new  life  of  the 
gospel,  and  prays  for  the  heavenly  guidance.     In  these  gene- 
ral expressions,  he  does  not  forget  to  thank  God  especially 
for  the  religious  freedom  enjoyed  in  America,  and  to  implore 
that  Popery,  Episcopacy,  and  all  other  heresies,  may  be  for 
ever  kept  out  of  his   true   church  here.     There  is  now  an 
hour  before  it  will  be  necessary  to  start  for  meeting  ;  and 
this  hour  is  occupied  by  the  children  in  committing  to  me- 
mory a  few  verses  from  the  Bible,  or  a  hymn  from  Sternhold 
and  Hopkins,  or  a  page  from  the  Catechism.     The  mother 
spends  the  hour  in  teaching  her  little  daughter  some  Chris- 
tian history,  or  telling  her  the  story  of  Joseph  from  the  Old 
Testament.     The   father  hears  the  other  children  say  their 
lessons,  and  acts  as  the  superintendent  of  this  first  and  best 
of  Sunday  schools.     The  hour  has  now  arrived  for  the  whole 
family  to  leave  for  the  meeting-house ;  and,  whether  it  be  in 
this  plantation  or  the  next,  there  is  no  apology  available  for 
absence  from  public  worship.      God's    command,  and   the 
penalties  of  the  statute-law,  decide  this  case  without  equivoca- 
tion.    If  the  weather  be  fair,  the  children  walk,  be  the  dis- 
tance one  mile  or  three.     Each  one  is  dressed  in  the  full 
Sunday  attire,  and  feels  it  of  paramount  importance  not  to 
tear  or  soil  it.     They  all  keep  together.     The  father  mounts 


468  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

his  horse,  and  then  takes  his  wife  upon  a  pillion  behind  him. 
If  it  be  rainy,  the  oxen  are  hitched  to  the  cart,  and  chairs 
and  logs  make  seats  within  it ;  and  thus  the  family  go  together. 
If  the  father  be  one  of  the  appointed  "  watchers,"  then  he 
must  take  his  gun  and  ammunition,  and  be  ready  to  repel  any 
savage  attack.     Public  worship  began  at  eleven  o'clock  ;  and 
the  morning  service  was  a  glass  and  a  half  long ;  that  is,  it 
ended  at  half-past  twelve.      The   half-hour  of  intermission 
was  spent  in  and  around  the  meeting-house ;  and  friends  met 
there  that  could  not  get  within  speaking  distance  at  any  other 
time.     The  young  folks  were  apt  to  huddle  up  together,  and 
did  not  always  talk  about  religion.     The  services  of  the  after- 
noon were  concluded  at  half-past  two  ;  and  our  family  on  the 
banks  of  the  Mystic  have  reached  home  in  one  hour  after- 
wards.    The  pillion,  for  safe  keeping,  is  put  under  the  bed, 
the  saddle  hung  up  in  the  barn,  and  the  horse  turned  out  to 
pasture.     The  family  are  now  ready  for  a  meal,  which  unites 
dinner  and  supper ;  and  forth  from  the  oven  come  that  pot  of 
beans  with  its  coronal  pork,  and  that  Indian  pudding,  all  per- 
fectly done,  having  been  in  prison  about  twenty-four  hours. 
Grace  being  said,  the  pudding  is  the  first  dish ;  and  it  is  a 
delicious  dish  too.     The  color  of  the  pudding  is  a  deep,  rich 
amber ;  and  the  juice  or  jelly  is  abundant.     Hunger  is  the 
best   sauce ;    but  it  does  not  need  that  to  make   this    sa- 
vory.   Two  plates-full  apiece  scarcely  satisfy  the  young  folks. 
The  beans  come  next;  and  this  strong  and  hearty  food  is 
eaten  with  a  relish ;  though  it  will  taste  better  to-morrow, 
when  no  pudding  precedes  it.     When  the  dinner  seems  to 
be  over,  the  mother  opens  the  table-drawer ;  and  lo !  a  nice 
apple-pie !     Appetite  comes  again  at  the  sight  of  new  deli- 
cacies ;  and  it  takes  no  logic  to  convince  the  children  that  a 
slice  of  that  pie  will  do  them  good.     During  the  dinner,  they 
have  talked  about  those  they  saw  at  meeting,  and  each  nar- 
rated what  news  he  had  found.     The  father  had  heard  how 
much  money  was  sunk  by  Mr.  Cradock  in  his  fishing  specu- 
lation ;  and  the  reading  boy  had  brought  home  "  J.  Janeway's 
Address  to  Citizens  of  London,  after  the  Great  Fire  of  1666," 
just  published.      The  first  act   after  Sunday  dinner  was  to 
take  off  the  Sunday  clothes.     Each  one  does  this  ;  and  then 
the  mother  assembles  her  children  around  her,  each  seated  on 
his  block ;  and  she  hears  them  repeat  the  Catechism,  and  then 
endeavors  to  impress  their  minds  with  the  truths  which  the 
sermons  of  the  day  have  set  forth.     During  this  last  exercise, 


DAILY    AND    DOMESTIC    HABITS.  469 

the  youngest  daughter  has  fallen  asleep,  the  youngest  boy 
has  tried  to  catch  flies,  and  the  rest  of  her  audience  have 
paid  some  heed.     It  is  now  time  to  close  the  religious  exer- 
cises of  the  Sabbath  by  reading  the  Sacred   Scriptures  and 
joining  in  family  prayer.     This  service  has  the  truth  and  fer- 
vor of  humble  worshippers.     Piety  and  love  are  laid  on  the 
altar  ;  and  the  concluding  Amen  testifies  to  a  sabbath  spent  in 
the  fear  of  God  and  the  love  of  man.     The  father  and  sons 
now  repair  to  the  barn,  and  the  milking  is  soon  finished.     By 
this  time  the  sun  has  set ;  and,  as  if  conscience  had  set  with 
it,  any  secular  pursuit  now  seems  half  allowable.     The  wood 
for  to-morrow's  washing  is  carried  in ;  the  great  kettle  is 
filled  with  water ;  the  kindlings  are  put  in  the  corner ;  and 
every  thing  is  ready  for  the  earliest  start.     The  mother  and 
daughters,  who  have  not  dared  to  wash  the  breakfast  or  din- 
ner things  while  the  sun  was  up,  now  begin  that  operation ; 
and  then  get  all  the  clothes  together  which  must  be  washed, 
and  put  them  in  soak.     The  great  kettle  is  now  hung  on ; 
and  it  almost   seems   as   if   Monday  morning   had  arrived. 
The  eldest  son  knows  it  has  not,  and  knows  there  is  a  Sun- 
day evening  yet  to  come ;  and,  full  of  silent  thoughts  and 
tender  emotions,  he  slips  out,  in  full  dress,  at  seven  o'clock, 
to  "  drop  in  "  accidentally  at  neighbor  A.'s,  whose  blooming 
daughter  of  seventeen  he  likes  to  look  at.     If  he  can  get  her 
to  go  and  help  him  sing  at  Mr.  B.'s  for  an  hour  with  some 
of  the  Sunday  choir,  why,  then  what  ?    Any  visiting  on  Sun- 
day evening,  except  for  courting  or  practising  singing  by  the 
choir,  being  positively  forbidden,  it  somehow  always  hap- 
pened that  the  choir  would  meet  on  Sunday  evening ;  and 
there  was  sure  to  be  a  remarkably  full  attendance !     Thus 
the    "singing-school"  was   the    Newport    and    Saratoga    of 
Meadford.     Recreation  of  some  sort  every  human  being  must 
have,  if  he  would  thrive.    He  claims  it  as  Nature's  law.    Our 
Puritan  Fathers  needed  recreation  to  lubricate  the  joints  of 
life.     While  they  have  been  singing  at  Mr.  B.'s,  the  log-hut 
on  the  banks  of  the  Mystic  has  not  been  without  its  music. 
The  parents  have  led,  and  the  children  followed,  in  some  of 
the  good  old  psalm-tunes  which  have  come  down  from  for- 
mer generations.     At  half-past  eight  o'clock,  the  candle  is  put 
out ;  and  the  day  of  worship  and  rest  has  ended  to  the  farm- 
er's family,  —  except  to    the   eldest   son,  who,  at   half-past 
nine,  opens  that  door  which  is  never  fastened,  and  quietly 
steals  to  bed  without  disturbing  the  sleepers.     His  mother 
heard  him,  but  did  nqt  speak. 


470  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

We  are  sure  this  is  but  a  rough  sketch  of  the  manners  and 
life  of  the  early  settlers  in  Medford;  but  we  hope  it  may 
suffice  to  show  those  salient  traits  of  industry  and  economy, 
of  truthfulness  and  devotion,  for  which  they  were  so  clearly 
distinguished.  We  must  look  through  their  eyes  to  see  them 
aright.  They  were  content  if  they  could  gain  a  comfortable 
subsistence,  and  have  the  opportunity  of  worshipping  God 
according  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  consciences.  Their 
condition,  their  dwellings,  their  dress,  their  facilities,  their 
relationships,  —  how  different  from  ours!  Deputy-Governor 
Dudley,  March  12,  1631,  writes  thus  :  "  Having  yet  no  table, 
nor  other  room  to  write  in  than  by  the  fireside,  upon  my 
knee,  in  this  sharp  winter,  &c."  If  the  deputy-governor 
had  no  more  accommodations  than  these,  what  must  have 
been  the  deprivations  of  the  rest  of  the  people  ?  For  many 
of  our  modern  superfluities  they  had  no  names  in  their  voca- 
bulary. So  late  as  our  day,  we  have  seen  aged  persons  who 
have 'assured  us  that  they  never  tasted  tea  or  coffee  until 
they  were  over  twenty-one  years  of  age.  In  1666,  tea,  in 
England,  was  sixty  shillings  sterling  a  pound,  and  was  not 
used  much  in  America  till  1750.  It  was  nearly  the  same 
with  coffee.  Any  cooking  which  required  sugar  was  too 
expensive  for  our  early  ancestors ;  and  the  Sunday  suit  of 
clothes  went  through  a  whole  life.  For  vocal  music,  they  had 
the  volunteer  solo  from  the  cradle  ;  for  instrumental,  they  had 
the  sputter  of  the  churn,  the  scraping  of  the  wool-cards,  the 
whiz  of  the  spinning-wheel,  and  the  jerk-rattle  of  the  weav- 
ing-loom. Their  sofa  was  the  "  settle,"  and  their  spring- 
seat  was  the  soft  side  of  an  oaken  plank ;  their  carpets  were 
clean  white  sand ;  their  ceilings,  rough  boards  and  rafters  ; 
and  their  parlor  was  at  once  kitchen,  bedroom,  and  hall. 
We  have  seen  what  their  clothing  was ;  and  it  was  the  pro- 
duct of  their  own  looms  and  knitting-needles.  The  men 
were  not  encumbered  with  suspenders,  or  dickies,  or  umbrel- 
las ;  nor  were  the  women  sighing  after  diamonds,  opera- 
glasses,  or  Cologne  water.  How  expensive,  vexatious,  and 
useless  would  have  been  long  female  dresses  bedraggled  every 
moment  in  the  grass  !  Fashion,  which  is  the  labor  of  little 
minds,  and  not  the  repose  of  great  ones,  had  not  become  the 
fickle  tyrant  we  now  see  it.  They  aimed  at  health ;  and  the 
children  who  were  born  weak  and  feeble  could  not  be  kept 
alive,  as  they  are  by  modern  skill :  hence  the  robustness  of 
those  who  survived.  We  come,  then,  to  the  conclusion,  that 
moderate  labor,  simple  diet,  sufficient  sleep,  regular  habits,  and 


FIRE-DEPARTMENT.  471 

mental  peace,  each  helped  to  prolong  life  and  secure  content- 
ment. Yes,  we  say  contentment ;  for,  if  any  one  should  think 
these  humble  annals  descriptive  only  of  ennui  or  thraldom  or 
stupidity,  we  must  call  it  a  hasty  and  false  conclusion.  When 
the  human  mind  really  desires  improvement,  it  converts 
rocks  and  trees,  animals  and  men,  trials  and  joys,  into  books 
of  philosophy  and  bibles  of  truth.  By  a  chemistry  which  it 
cannot  explain,  the  hungry  and  thirsty  soul  turns  every  thing 
into  educational  meaning  and  moral  nutriment.  All  that  is 
thus  gained  are  reliable  facts  and  available  knowledge,  which 
will  stand  the  test  of  life  and  experience,  while  rainbow 
theories  fade  and  vanish  with  the  dissolving  cloud.  Our 
fathers  had  strong  common  sense  ;  and,  while  they  were 
devoted  to  a  Puritan  faith  and  an  exclusive  church,  they  did 
not  lose  their  humanity ;  but  the  very  necessities  of  their 
condition  brought  them  to  the  most  practical  results,  and  to 
the  soundest  philosophy  of  life. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 


FIRE-DEPARTMENT. 


The  first  action  of  the  town  relating  to  fires  was  May  12, 
1760,  when  it  was  voted  that  two  fire-hooks  be  provided  for 
the  use  of  the  town. 

March  7,  1763:  Voted  to  raise  £26.  13s.  4d.  for  procuring 
a  fire-engine,  if  the  rest  can  be  obtained  by  subscription. 
Hon.  Isaac  Royal,  Stephen  Hall,  Esq.,  and  Captain  Seth 
Blodget,  were  chosen  a  committee  to  procure  the  engine  and 
receive  the  subscriptions. 

This  resulted  in  the  purchase  of  an  engine  called  the 
"Grasshopper,"  which  was  placed  near  the  market.  This 
engine  was  removed  to  the  West  End,  April  1,  1799  (when 
another  had  been  obtained),  and  was  kept  in  the  barn  attached 
to  the  "  Angier  House."  It  is  yet  in  existence,  and  is  some- 
times employed  in  pumping  water  into  vessels. 

March  11,  1765:  For  the  first  time,  nine  fire-wards  and 
twelve  engine-men  were  appointed  by  vote  of  the  town. 


472  HISTORY   OF    MEDFORD. 

In  1785,  some  gentlemen  associated  themselves  under 
the  name  of  the  "  Medford  Amicable  Fire  Society,"  with 
the  motto,  Amicis  nobisque.  Twenty-four  members  only 
were  allowed ;  and  they  solemnly  engage  to  govern  them- 
selves by  the  nine  "  regulations  "  which  they  adopted.  These 
regulations  embrace  all  the  common  provisions  for  choice  of 
officers  and  transaction  of  business  which  such  an  association 
would  require.  The  third  provides  that  "  each  member 
shall  keep  constantly  in  good  order,  hanging  up  in  some 
convenient  place  in  his  dwelling-house,  two  leather  buckets, 
of  convenient  size,  in  which  shall  be  two  bags  and  one  screw- 
key,  each  bag  measuring  one  yard  and  three-quarters  in 
length,  and  three-quarters  of  a  yard  in  breadth.  If  the  bags 
or  Duckets  of  any  member  be  out  of  place  at  any  quarterly 
inspection,  he  shall  pay  a  fine  of  twenty-five  cents'  for  each 
article  so  out  of  place. 

"  At  the  alarm  of  fire,  each  member  shall  immediately 
repair,  with  his  bags,  buckets,  &c,  to  the  place  where  it  hap- 
pens ;  and,  if  the  house  or  property  of  any  member  be  in 
danger,  every  member  shall  resort  thither,  and  use  his  utmost 
endeavors,  under  the  direction  of  the  member  in  danger,  if 
present,  otherwise  according  to  his  own  judgment,  to  secure 
all  his  goods  and  effects,  under  penalty  of  what  the  society 
may  determine.  And  if  there  shall  not  be  any  property  of 
a  member  in  danger,  then  each  member,  at  the  request  of 
any  other  person  in  immediate  danger,  will  consider  himself 
obliged  to  assist  such  person  in  the  same  manner  as  though 
such  person  belonged  to  the  society." 

Candidates  for  admission  must  be  proposed  three  months 
before  election;  and  three  votes  in  the  negative  prevent 
membership.  The  second  line  in  the  first  article  of  regula- 
tions reads  thus :  "  The  members  shall  dine  together  on  the 
first  Wednesday  in  August  annually." 

When  engines  were  few,  and  their  hose  were  short,  this 
society  rendered  most  important  service  ;  and,  as  their  chief 
aim  was  to  rescue  furniture,  they  were  sometimes  able  to  save 
nearly  all  by  their  concentrated  and  harmonious  action.  The 
introduction  of  better  engines  and  systematic  procedure  at 
fires  has  rendered  the  society  so  little  needed  that  it  has 
almost  lost  its  existence. 

Sept.  19,  1796 :  Voted  to  procure  a  new  engine. 

These  engines  served  the  purposes  of  the  town  till  a  late 
period.     The  firemen  were  selected  from  the  most  reliable 


FIRE-DEPARTMENT.  473 

and  energetic  of  all  the  citizens  ;    and,  once  a  month,  each 
engine  was  examined  and  played. 

March  3,  1828 :  "  Voted  that  the  selectmen  be  a  committee 
to  examine  and  consider  the  necessity  of  procuring  a  new 
engine  for  the  west  part  of  the  town." 

1828  :  The  first  record  of  the  organization  of  a  new  engine- 
company.     1831,  the  town  voted  to  give  a  supper  each  year 
to  the  firemen.     Nov.  14,  1836 :  Voted  to  purchase  a  new , 
engine. 

Nov.  9,  1835 :  The  town  voted  that  the  fire-engines  may 
be  employed  to  water  ships,  and  that  proper  compensation  be 
required  therefor. 

March  6,  1837 :  At  this  time  there  was  a  general  call  for 
a  more  extended  and  efficient  defence  against  fire ;  and  the 
town  voted  that  it  approves  of  the  Revised  Statutes,  sections 
19-21. 

1839 :  The  town  voted  to  petition  the  Legislature  for  an 
act  of  incorporation  for  their  fire-department.  This  petition 
suggests  to  the  Legislature  the  importance  of  Considering  the 
whole  subject ;  and  accordingly  they  reconstruct  the  laws  ; 
and,  on  the  9th  of  April,  the  present  law  was  passed.  The 
next  day,  they  authorized  the  town  of  Medford  to  organize  a 
fire-department,  according  to  their  petition.  The  form  runs 
thus :  — 

"  An  Act  to  establish  a  Fire-department  in  the  Toion  of  Medford. 

"  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  in 
General  Court  assembled,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

"  The  selectmen  of  the  town  of  Medford  are  hereby  authorized 
to  establish  a  fire-department  in  said  town,  in  the  manner,  and 
according  to  the  provisions,  prescribed  in  an  act  to  regulate  fire 
departments,  passed  on  the  9th  of  April,  1839 ;  and  the  said  fire- 
department,  when  so  established,  and  the  several  members  thereof, 
and  all  the  officers  and  companies  appointed  by  them,  and  the  said 
town  of  Medford,  and  the  inhabitants  thereof,  shall  be  subject  to  all 
the  duties  and  liabilities,  and  be  entitled  to  all  the  privileges  and 
exemptions,  specified  in  said  act,  so  far  as  the  same  relate  to  them 
respectively."     April  10,  1839. 

The  ninth  section  provides  that  the  act  establishing  the 
fire-department  "  shall  not  take  effect  until  it  is  accepted  and 
approved  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  town."  It  was  approved 
by  the  town,  and  the  present  fire-department  organized  in  due 
form. 


474  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

March  7,  1842 :  The  chief  engineer  made  his  first  annual 
report. 

Large  cisterns,  sunk  in  the  ground  in  various  parts  of  the 
town,  are  filled  with  water,  to  be  used  only  in  case  of  fire. 
These  reservoirs  were  ordered  by  a  vote  of  the  town,  Nov.  6, 
1850. 

Every  provision  of  hose,  fire-hooks,  ladders,  &c,  which  the 
department  required,  was  made  by  the  town. 

In  1840  was  published  a  pamphlet,  entitled  "  State  Laws 
and  Town  Ordinances  respecting  the  Fire  Department  of  the 
Town  of  Medford."  It  contained  the  act  of  the  General 
Court  of  April  9,  1839  ;  also  the  act  of  April  17,  1837,  "  to 
prevent  bonfires,  and  false  alarms  of  fire ; "  also  "  extracts 
from  the  Revised  Statutes,  chapter  18 ;  also  "  an  ordinance 
for  preventing  and  extinguishing  fires,  and  establishing  a 
fire-department  in  the  town  of  Medford,  —  passed  by  the 
board  of  engineers,  April- 25,  1840;"  also  further  "extracts 
from  the  Revised  Statutes,  chapter  58."  "  Approved  by  the 
town,  April  29,  1840." 

The  ordinance  passed  by  the  board  of  engineers  had,  and 
still  has,  the  approval  of  every  intelligent  and  virtuous  citizen 
in  Medford.     A  brief  extract  is  as  follows  :  — 

Fines  for  carrying  fire  openly  in  the  streets,  from  two  dollars  to 
twenty  dollars ;  for  allowing  to  remain  any  defective  chimney, 
deposit  of  ashes,  &c,  five  dollars  to  twenty  dollars  ;  chimney  set  on 
fire  at  improper  times,  two  dollars.  Engineers  shall  remove  com- 
bustible materials  where  dangerously  placed ;  the  engineers  shall 
choose  a  chief  engineer  and  officers,  control  the  engines,  and  make 
all  due  regulations ;  engineers  shall  repair  to  the  place  of  fire  imme- 
diately, and  take  all  the  steps  necessary  to  extinguish  the  fire  and 
secure  property.  There  shall  be  hook,  ladder,  hose,  sail,  and  engine 
carriages.  The  chief  engineer  shall  have  full  command,  and  make 
an  annual  report  to  the  town.  No  one  shall  be  a  member  of  the 
fire-department  under  eighteen  years  of  age  ;  nor  under  twenty-one, 
unless  by  request  of  parents.  First  Tuesday  of  May,  each  company 
shall  choose  officers.  Duties  of  several  officers  specified.  Engines, 
after  a  fire,  shatt  be  cleaned ;  and,  once  in  two  months,  the  compa- 
nies exercised.  Duties  of  firemen,  to  protect  life  and  save  property. 
Badges  to  be  worn.  Disobedient  members  dismissed.  Duties  of 
citizens  who  are  present  at  a  fire.  Officers  of  a  company  may  be 
discharged.  When  buildings,  not  on  fire,  shall  be  demolished. 
The  ordinance  closes  with  the  following  twenty-first  section :  "  The 
members  of  the  several  companies  shall  not  assemble  in  the  houses 
intrusted  to  their  care,  except  for  the  purpose  of  taking  the  engine 
or  apparatus  on  the  alarm  of  fire,  or  for  drill  and  exercise,  and  of 


FIRE-DEPARTMENT.  475 

returning  the  same  to  the  house,  and  taking  the  necessary  care 
of  said  apparatus  after  its  return." 

The  wisdom  of  Medford  in  this  twenty-first  section  is 
most  apparent,  and  has  doubtless  prevented  the  intemperance 
and  moral  ruin  which  have  elsewhere  been  deplored.  Some 
towns  have  provided  their  engine-men  with  a  furnished  hall, 
lighted  and  warmed  every  evening.  This  plan,  which  was 
designed  for  good,  has,  in  some  cases,  produced  the  most 
fatal  results.  It  has  brought'  together  numbers  of  young 
men,  who  have  not  had  a  proper  early  education,  and  whose 
passions  naturally  lead  them  to  excess.  Some  of  these  towns 
have  allowed  these  engine-men  a  supper,  at  the  town's 
expense,  whenever  they  have  been  on  duty  at  a  fire.  It  has 
been  said  that  some  thoughtless  young  engine-men  have 
rejoiced  at  the  occurrence  of  a  fire,  because  it  secured  to  them 
this  public  supper ;  and  newspapers  have  gone  so  far  as  to 
affirm  that  fires  have  been  actually  kindled  by  unprincipled 
firemen,  for  the  purpose  of  having  a  supper  afterwards ! 
Common  humanity  leads  us  to  hope  that  such  statements  are 
not  true.  Can  it  be  that  any  human  mind  is  so  sunk  to  the 
level  of  a  brute,  so  polluted  in  moral  debasement,  and  so  lost 
to  all  feeling  and  all  justice,  as  to  be  guilty  of  one  of  the 
most  atrocious  crimes,  merely  to  get  a  supper  ?  If  there  be 
one  such  member  of  any  fire-company  in  this  Commonwealth, 
the  sooner  he  is  transferred  to  the  State  Prison,  the  better  for 
him  and  for  the  community.  It  would  be  compassion  to 
stop  him  in  his  road  to  ruin,  and  to  put  him  where  his  pas- 
sions can  be  quieted,  and  where  he  could  have  leisure  to 
see  himself  as  God  sees  him. 

The  existence  of  fire-departments  in  our  wooden  cities  and 
towns  is  indispensable ;  but  we  think  they  have  not  been 
wisely  organized  or  properly  sustained.  They  should  be 
considered  as  insurance-offices,  and  supported  by  a  premium- 
tax  on  all  property.  All  the  officers,  without  exception, 
should  be  chosen  by  the  selectmen,  and  be  paid  propor- 
tionably,  as  are  officers  of  fire-insurance  companies ;  and, 
like  such  officers,  should  be  laid  under  bonds.  Each  fireman 
should  be  appointed  by  the  selectmen,  and  so  paid  as  to 
secure  the  strongest  and  best  principled  men.  Their  connec- 
tion with  the  fire-department  should  be  a  mark  of  respectabi- 
lity, and  a  proof  of  good  character.  Their  prompt  attendance 
on  the  alarm  of  fire  should  be  rewarded  by  distinction,  and 
their  unnecessary  absence  be  punished  by  the  heaviest  fines. 


476 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


There  should  be  no  lounging-rooms  and  no  public  suppers 
furnished  them ;  but  all  the  motives  should  be  so  arranged, 
that  each  fireman  would  hear  the  alarm-bell  only  with  sor- 
row. A  department  thus  organized  would  bear  just  propor- 
tion to  the  vast  interests  at  stake ;  it  would  be  the  cheapest 
in  the  end ;  and  it  would  allow  every  citizen  to  go  to  rest 
at  night  without  troublesome  suspicions. 

If  each  town  should  resolve  itself  into  a  mutual  fire-insurance 
company,  and  make  each  building  pay  annually  its  propor- 
tionate premium  towards  a  cumulative  fund,  it  might  secure 
that  general  and  positive  interest  in  the  fire-department  which 
it  so  much  needs. 

"We  have  great  pleasure  in  learning  that  the  fire-department 
of  Medford  is  furnished  with  officers  of  reliable  character, 
of  good  judgment,  and  prompt  energy  ;  and  with  firemen  who 
have  in  times  past  done  honor  to  themselves ;  who  will,  in 
times  to  come,  show  themselves  equal  to  the  severest  emer- 
gencies, and  continue  to  deserve  the  grateful  esteem  of  their 
fellow-citizens. 

Expenses  of  the  fire-department,  from  Feb.  15,  1854,  to 
Feb.  15,  1855,  $2,046.04. 

The  engines  in  use  at  the  present  time  are  :  — 


Names. 

Places. 

When  bought. 

Builders. 

Cost. 

Goyernor  Brooks,  No.  1 
General  Jackson,  No.  2 
Washington,  ....  No.  3 

Union  St. 
High    St. 
Park    St. 

March,    1840 

,  1845 

May  31,  1850 

Hunneman  &  Co. 
Hunneman  &  Co. 
Hunneman  &  Co. 

$1007 
800 
1100 

The  number  of  men  attached  to  each  engine  averages 
about  forty-five.  The  salary  of  each  officer  and  fireman  per 
annum  is  six  dollars,  and  poll-tax  refunded.  The  hook-and- 
ladder  apparatus  has  twenty-five  men  attached  to  it. 

March  7,  1847 :  The  town  voted  to  pay  each  fireman  five 
dollars  per  annum. 

During  1854,  the  department  was  called  out  nine  times 
to  fires  in  town ;  the  loss  of  property  estimated  at  $17,500. 


SOCIETIES. 


The  strong  tendency  among  us  for  consociated  action  makes 
it  easy  to  form  societies  for  special  objects.     Medford  has  its 


SOCIETIES. 


477 


full  share  ;  and  they  are  sometimes  general,  sometimes  local, 
and  sometimes  confined  to  parish  limits.  Sewing-circles, 
charitable  associations,  literary  unions,  religious  brotherhoods, 
and  such  like,  are  silent  yet  powerful  agencies  for  the  grati- 
fication of  the  social  instincts,  for  the  acquisition  of  know- 
ledge, the  cultivation  of  taste,  the  improvement  of  manners, 
and  the  progress  of  religion ;  but  especially  for  relieving  the 
necessitous,  comforting  the  sick,  and  providing  for  the  young. 

The  Order  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance.  —  Mystic  Division, 
No.  20,  of  Massachusetts.  This  branch  of  a  widely  extended 
and  benevolent  fraternity  was  organized  Oct.  5,  1853,  and 
already  numbers  over  thirty  members.  The  first  office,  of 
W.  P.,  has  a  new  occupant  every  three  months.  The  gentle^ 
men  who  have  held  it  are  S.  D.  Poole,  J.  M.  Usher,  Benja- 
min H.  Samson,  William  A.  Sanborn,  John  Brown,  and 
Richard  G.  Pinkham.  A  public  installation  of  officers  was 
had  in  the  Town  Hall,  April  11,  1854,  when  delegations 
from  other  branches  were  present ;  and  a  supper  afterwards 
made  members  and  friends  of  both  sexes  happy.  Fidelis 
ad  urnam. 

Mount  Hermon  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  — 
Last  year,  a  few  Freemasons,  who  were  wont  to  attend  the 
meetings  of  Hiram  Lodge,  "West  Cambridge,  determined  to 
establish  a  lodge  in  Medford,  so  that  they  might  enjoy  the 
pleasures  of  Masonry  nearer  home.  Hearing  of  their  deter- 
mination, others  of  their  brethren  in  Medford  united  with 
them  in  petitioning  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  to  grant 
them  the  requisite  authority  for  assembling  as  a  legal  lodge. 
A  dispensation  was  granted ;  and,  the  proper  time  of  proba- 
tion having  nearly  elapsed,  they  will  soon  (in  September, 
1855)  receive  a  charter,  which  will  confirm  them  in  the  rights 
and  privileges  of  a  regularly  constituted  lodge.  The  original 
petitioners  were  Messrs.  George  Hervey,  John  T.  White, 
E.  G.  Currell,  C.  E.  Merrill,  Cleopas  B.  Johnson,  William 
Crook,  Dr.  Samuel  Kidder,  A.  H.  Gardner,  Elisha  Stetson, 
James  Ford,  and  T.  R.  Peck.  The  lodge  is  now  in  a  flou- 
rishing condition,  and  has  every  prospect  of  further  success 
and  extended  usefulness  under  its  efficient  organization, 
which  is  as  follows  :  — > 


"Worshipful  George  Hervey,  Master. 
Elisha  Stetson,  Senior  Warden. 
E.  G.  Currell,  Junior  "Warden. 
C.  B.  Johnson,  Senior  Deacon. 
C.  E.  Merrill,  Junior  Deacon. 


Hiram  South  worth,  Treasurer. 
S.  C.  Lawrence,  Secretary. 
Lewis  Keen,  Senior  Steward. 
S.  "W.  Sanborn,  Junior  Steward. 
James  Ford,  Tyler. 


478  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Medford  Salt-marsh  Corporation.  —  June  21,  1803 :  On 
this  day,  an  act  of  incorporation  was  passed  by  the  General 
Court,  by  which  the  proprietors  of  a  tract  of  salt  marsh,  in 
Medford,  were  authorized  to  make  and  maintain  a  dike  and 
fence  for  the  better  security  and  improvement  of  said  marsh. 
Its  bounds  are  thus  described :  — 

"  Situate  in  the  easterly  part  of  said  Medford,  beginning  at  Mai- 
den line,  and  running  westerly  by  the  land  of  Andrew  Hall,  Joseph 
Wheelwright,  and  Simeon  Holt,  to  the  brick  landing-place  on 
Mystic  River,  and  otherways  bounded  by  said  river,  comprising  all 
the  marsh  within  said  bounds.  And  the  said  corporation  shall  have 
power  to  erect  and  make  a  dike,  of  sufficient  height  and  width,  on 
the  north  bounds  of  said  marsh,  beginning  at  Maiden  line,  and  run- 
ning westward  by  the  land  of  said  Andrew  Hall  and  others,  so  far 
as  a  dike  may  be  found  necessary." 

The  act  contains  the  usual  provisions  for  choosing  officers, 
assessing  taxes,  and  regulating  payments.  The  company  was 
organized,  and  a  fence  built,  the  proprietors  paying  each  his 
proportion.  The  town  assessed  taxes  upon  the  corporation ; 
and,  Feb.  4,  1822,  the  town's  tax  was  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
seven  dollars  and  seven  cents.  The  corporation  is  bound  to 
support  the  fences  and  dike,  and  can  compel  any  proprietor 
to  pay  his  share. 


CHAPTER    XV. 


HISTORICAL  ITEMS. 

July  28,  1629.  —  Mr.  Joseph  Bradshaw  was  present  this  day,  as 
one  of  the  assistants,  at  the  sitting  of  the  court  in  London. 

1 630.  —  The  fleet  that  brought  over  Governor  Winthrop  and  the 
first  settlers  of  Medford  was  nautically  organized.  The  history 
says,  "  Articles  of  consortship  were  drawn  between  the  captain  and 
mariners :  The  Arbella  to  be  the  admiral ;  the  Talbot  to  be  the 
vice-admiral ;  the  Ambrose,  the  rear-admiral."  The  Arbella  was 
named  in  honor  of  Mrs.  Johnson,  the  wife  of  one  of  the  "five 
undertakers  in  London." 

Aug.  23,  1630.  —  "  Ordered  that  no  person  shall  use  or  take  away 
any  boat  or  canoe  without  leave  from  the  owner  thereof,  on  pain  of 
fine  and  imprisonment,  at  the  discretion  of  the  court." 


HISTORICAL    ITEMS.  479 

Aug.  23,  1 630.  —  "  It  was  ordered  that  carpenters,  joiners,  brick- 
layers, sawyers,  thatchers,  shall  not  take  above  2s.  a  day ;  nor  any 
man  shall  give  more,  under  pain  of  10s.  to  taker  and  giver ;  and 
that  sawers  shall  not  take  above  4s.  6c?.  the  hundred  for  boards,  at 
six  score  the  hundred,  if  they  have  their  wood  felled  and  squared 
for  them  ;  and  not  above  5s.  6c?.  if  they  fell  and  square  their  wood 
themselves." 

Feb.  7,  1632.  —  On  this  day,  Governor  Winthrop,  Mr.  Nowell, 
and  others,  crossed  our  ford  in  Medford,  and  travelled  on  an  explor- 
ing expedition  towards  the  north-east,  and  came  "  to  a  very  great 
pond,  having  in  the  midst  an  island  of  about  one  acre,  and  very 
thick  with  trees  of  pine  and  beech ;  and  the  pond  had  divers  small 
rocks  standing  up  here  and  there  in  it,  which  they  therefore  called 
Spot  Pond.     They  went  all  about  it  on  the  ice." 

1633.  —  Puritans  :  Neal  says,  "  Hardly  a  vessel  came  into  these 
ports  but  was  crowded  with  passengers  for  New  England." 

July  2,  1633.  —  "  It  is  ordered  that  no  person  sell  either  wine  or 
strong  water  without  leave  from  the  governor  or  deputy-governor ; 
and  no  man  shall  give  any  strong  water  to  any  Indian."  1638.  — 
"  Wine  shall  not  be  sold  by  innholders  ;  but  they  may  brew  the 
beer  they  sell." 

Oct.  1,  1633.  —  Thanksgiving-day  appointed  by  the  General 
Court,  —  the  first  on  record.  It  was  as  follows  :  "  In  regard  to  the 
many  and  extraordinary  mercies  which  the  Lord  hath  been  pleased 
to  vouchsafe  of  late  to  this  plantation,  —  viz.,  a  plentiful  harvest, 
ships  safely  arrived  with  persons  of  special  use  and  quality,  &c,  - —  it 
is  ordered  that  Wednesday,  16th  of  this  present  month,  shall  be  kept 
as  a  day  of  public  thanksgiving  through  the  several  plantations." 

1635.  —  A  wharf,  made  by  large  trees  laid  crosswise,  was  built 
on  the  bank  of  Maiden  River,  opposite  the  Wellington  Farm ;  and 
a  cartway  led  from  it  to  the  first  house  built  in  Medford. 

March  28,  1636.  —  Governor  Winthrop,  writing  to  his  son,  says, 
"  This  morning,  I  went  to  Ten  Hills  with  your  mother  and  your  wife, 
to  have  seen  Goodman  Bushnell.  We  are  all  in  good  health ;  and 
I  praise  God  for  it.  Your  wife  and  mother,  and  all  of  us,  salute 
you  and  your  good  company.  The  Lord  bless  and  prosper  you. 
Farewell,  my  good  son." 

Oct.  28,  1636.  —  "It  is  ordered  that  the  freemen  of  every  town 
shall,  from  time  to  time,  as  occasion  shall  require,  agree  amongst 
themselves  about  the  prices  and  rates  of  any  town,  whether  work- 
men, laborer,  or  servant." 

1636.  —  "  Buying  provisions  and  victuals  to  sell  again  is  forbid- 
den, unless  leave  be  obtained  of  the  governor." 

Nov.  20,  1637. —  "  Ordered  that  no  person  shall  sell  any  cakes 
or  buns,  either  in  the  markets,  or  victualling  houses,  or  elsewhere, 
upon  pain  of  10s.  fine ;  provided  that  this  order  shall  not  extend  to 
such  cakes  as  shaH  be  made  for  any  burial  or  marriage,  or  such  like 
special  occasion." 


480  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

Dec.  4,  1638.  —  Three  persons  having  been  drowned,  at  Charles- 
town  Ferry,  by  the  careless  upsetting  of  a  canoe,  the  court  "  ordered 
that  no  canoe  should  be  used  at  any  ferry,  upon  pain  of  £5 ;  nor 
should  any  canoe  be  built  in  our  jurisdiction  before  the  next  Gene- 
ral Court,  upon  pain  of  £10." 

Sept.  9,  1639.  —  Registration  of  births,  marriages,  and  deaths, 
expressly  required  ;  and  to  be  sent  annually  to  the  court. 

1640.  —  Matthew  Cradock  was  a  member  of  Parliament  from 
London. 

June  2, 1641.  —  "  The  bounds  for  Charlestown  Village  (Woburn) 
are  to  be  set  out  by  Captain  Cooke,  Mr.  Holliocke,  and  Mr.  John 
Oliver,  the  contents  of  four  mile  square." 

Mr.  Carter,  the  first  minister  of  Woburn,  was  ordained  1642, 
when  seventy-seven  ministers  had  been  ordained  in  New  England. 

1642. —  Confederation  against  the  Indians  recommended  by  the 
General  Court. 

May  10,  1643.  —  The  General  Court  appointed  a  committee  to 
lay  out  a  road  from  Cambridge  to  Woburn. 

1643. — Middlesex  was  the  first  to  recommend  and  adopt  the 
division  of  territory  into  counties. 

Mr.  Edward  Collins  was  chosen  by  Cambridge  a  representative 
in  the  General  Court ;  but  he  did  not  attend.  They  required  him  to 
give  reasons  for  his  neglect,  or  pay  twenty  shillings. 

1 644.  —  Medford  was  called  to  mourn  the  death  of  its  founder, 
Matthew  Cradock,  Esq. ;  and,  in  1649,  lost  a  friend  and  neighbor,  in 
the  death  of  Governor  Winthrop. 

1644.  —  It  was  customary  with 'the  early  settlers  in  Medford  to 
attend  public  worship  in  the  neighboring  towns  when  they  had  no 
preaching  within  their  own  plantation.  On  a  sabbath,  in  the  year 
1644,  when  it  was  a  serious  loss  to  have  "  the  go-to-meeting-bonnet" 
injured,  the  following  semi-tragic  scene  occurred  near  Mystic  Bridge. 
We  give  the  narrative  in  the  words  of  Governor  Winthrop  ("Jour- 
nal," vol.  ii.  p.  161):  "One  Dalkin  and  his  wife,  dwelling  near 
Meadford,  coming  from  Cambridge,  where  they  had  spent  their 
sabbath,  and  being  to  pass  over  the  river  at  a  ford,  the  tide  not 
being  fallen  enough,  the  husband  adventured  over,  and,  finding  it 
too  deep,  persuaded  his  wife  to  stay  a  while ;  but,  it  raining  very 
sore,  she  would  needs  adventure  over,  and  was  carried  away  with 
the  stream  past  her  depth.  Her  husband,  not  daring  to  go  help  her, 
cried  out ;  and  thereupon  his  dog,  being  at  his  house  near  by,  came 
forth,  and,  seeing  something  in  the  water,  swam  to  her ;  and  she 
caught  hold  of  the  dog's  tail :  so  he  drew  her  to  the  shore,  and  saved 
her  life."  If,  at  this  time,  it  was  flood-tide  in  Medford,  there  can 
be  no  doubt  that  marital  chivalry  was  at  a  very  low  ebb.  We 
related  this  hair-breadth  escape  to  a  lady  of  Medford,  who  instantly 
exclaimed,  "  I  would  have  thrown  my  inhuman  husband  into  the 
river,  and  then  married  the  human  dog !  " 

March  4,  1645.  — "  Whereas  complaint  hath  been  made  to  this 


HISTORICAL    ITEMS.  481 

court,  that  divers  persons  within  this  jurisdiction  do  usually  absent 
themselves  from  church  meetings  upon  the  Lord's  day,  power  is 
therefore  given  to  any  two  assistants  to  hear  and  censure,  either  by 
fine  or  imprisonment  (at  their  discretion),  all  misdemeanors  of  that 
kind  committed  by  any  inhabitant  within  this  jurisdiction,  provided 
they  exceed  not  the  fine  of  five  shillings  for  one  offence." 

1645.  —  Something  may  be  guessed  concerning  the  state  of  things 
among  the  early  settlers,  when  "  a  man  walks  on  snow-shoes  five 
miles  to  buy  a  bushel  of  corn,  carries  it  on  his  back  to  mill,  and 
thence  home." 

May  6,  1646.  —  The  General  Court  forbid  all  persons  taking  any 
tobacco  within  five  miles  of  any  house. 

1647.  —  The  sum  of  fifty  pounds,  and,  in  1649,  the  additional 
sum  of  fifty  pounds,  given,  by  the  will  of  Mathew  Cradock,  Esq., 
to  the  poor  of  St.  Swithen's,  are  acknowledged  as  having  been 
received,  and  entered  in  the  "  Vellum  Book,"  Oct.  17,  1651.  These 
sums  were  laid  out  in  building  shops  against  the  church- wall. 

1647.  —  Charlestown's  "  part  of  Mistick  Wear  was  granted  as  an 
allowance  for  the  town  school  for  ever." 

1647.  —  The  General  Court  invite  the  Synod  to  draw  up  "  a 
confession  of  faith." 

Nov.  11,  1647. — :  Medford  was  under  the  following  law  :  Ordered 
that  no  lover  shall  seek  the  hand  of  his  chosen  one  till  he  has  asked 
permission  of  her  parents.  Penalty  for  the  first  offence,  £5  ;  for 
the  second,  £10  ;  and  for  the  third,  imprisonment.  According  to 
this,  courting,  in  those  days,  must  have  been  a  very  dangerous  busi- 
ness. 

The  "  Cambridge  Platfprm "  adopted  1648;  and  the  church  at 
Maiden  gathered  the  same  year. 

Oct.  18,  1648.  —  The  coopers  united  in  a  company,  and  received 
from  the  General  Court  an  act  of  incorporation. 

May  2,  1649.  —  The  General  Court  say,  "  Upon  the  petition 
of  Mistick-side  men,  they  are  granted  to  be  a  distinct  town,  and  the 
name  thereof  to  be  called  Mauldon." 

1649.  —  The  Middlesex  County  Records  before  this  date  are 
lost. 

1649.  —  "Horses  must  be  registered  in  a  book  kept  in  each 
town." 

In  a  neighboring  town,  church  troubles  ran  so  high,  in  1650,  that 
they  were  obliged  to  call  in  the  civil  authorities. 

1650.  —  "Goodman"  and  "goodwife"  were  common  appella- 
tions. "  Mr."  was  applied  only  to  persons  of  distinction.  "  Esquire  " 
was  seldom  used :  it  was  esteemed  above  that  of  "  reverend."  Mr. 
Josias  Plaistowe  took  corn  from  the  Indians.  The  General  Court 
ordered  him  to  return  the  corn,  and  pay  a  fine ;  and  "  hereafter  to 
be  called  by  the  name  of  Josias,  and  not  Mr.,  as  formerly  he  used 
to  be." 

1657.  —  The  name  of  Jonathan  Wade  first  appears  on  the  records 


482  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOKD. 

of  the  registry  of  deeds  in  Middlesex  County,  June  11,  1657.  Its 
next  occurrence,  May  20,  1662. 

1670.  —  Some  Indian  children  were  brought  up  in  our  English 
families,  and  afterwards  became  idle  and  intemperate.  A  gentle- 
man asked  the  Indian  father  why  this  was  so.  He  answered, 
"  Tucks  will  be  tucks,  for  all  old  hen  be  hatch  'em." 

1 673.  —  Population  of  New  England,  1 20,000.  Of  these,  1 6,000 
could  bear  arms.  Boston  had  1,500  families.  In  1760,  New 
England  had  500,000  inhabitants,  and  530  Congregational  churches. 

1673.  —  An  author  says,  "  At  this  time,  there  was  not  a  house  in 
New  England  which  had  more  than  twenty  rooms.  There  were 
five  hundred  persons  worth  each  three  thousand  pounds.  The  worst 
cottages  were  lofted." 

February,  1674.  —  The  earliest  record  of  town-meetings  in 
Medford,  which  has  escaped  destruction,  bears  the  above  date. 

Before  1676,  there  were  but  few  settlements  more  than  twenty 
miles  from  the  Atlantic  coast. 

1679.  —  "The  court  decide  that  it  is  not  lawful  for  a  man  to 
marry  his  former  wife's  sister."  There  is  no  good  reason  for  this ; 
but  it  would  have  been  wise  to  have  forbidden  first-cousins  to  marry 
each  other. 

Apparitions  and  haunted  houses.  The  belief  in  them  was  very 
common  for  the  first  hundred  years  of  our  history ;  and  it  was  a 
faith  full  of  efficacy  to  puzzle  men  and  frighten  children. 

1690.  —  The  delusions  of  witchcraft  never  penetrated  Medford. 
(See  Mr.  Turell's  narrative.) 

In  1690,  Medford  chose  a  sealer  of  weights  and  measures. 

The  "  oath  of  fidelity  "  was  often  taken  ui  Medford  during  the  first 
century.     It  differed  from  the  "  freeman  oath." 

1697.  —  "Isaac  Royal,  merchant,  of  Boston,  was  married,  by 
Benjamin  Wadsworth,  July  1,  1697,  to  Elizabeth,  only  child  of 
Asaph  Eliot,  of  Boston." 

Hon.  Isaac  Royal  chosen  moderator  of  a  town-meeting,  —  the  first 
mention  of  his  name  on  the  records  (about  1755). 

May  3,  1697. — Voted  to  pay  the  representative  eighteen-pence 
per  day  during  his  service  in  the  General  Court. 

1699. —  John  Bradstreet,  of  Medford,  descendant  of  Governor 
Bradstreet,  son  of  Simon,  married  his  cousin,  Mercy  Wade,  of  Med- 
ford, Oct.  9,  1699.  Their  children  were  Dudjey,  born  Oct.  26, 
1701,  married  Sarah  Pierce,  Aug.  18,  1724;  Ann,  born  July  7, 
1704;  Lucy,  born  May  30,  1706;  and  Patience,  born  Feb.  13, 
1712.  Sarah  married  Rev.  John  Tufts,  of  Newbury,  who  was  born 
in  Medford. 

Our  ancestors  generally  assembled  in  town-meeting  at  six  o'clock, 
a.m.,  during  the  warm  weather. 

Nov.  26,  1700.  —  "The  above  town-meeting  was  adjourned  to 
the  sixth  day  of  December  next,  to  meet  at  the  house  of  Stephen 
Willis,  sen.,  about  sun-setting." 


HISTORICAL    ITEMS 


483 


1700.  —  Meeting-house  in  Medford  so  cold  that  men  struck  their 
feet  together,  and  children  gathered  around  their  mothers'  foot- 
stoves. 

1700. — At  this  time,  "black  dogs"  were  put  into  the  con- 
tribution-box in  Medford.     A  silver  coin  bore  this  nickname. 

1700.  —  Elders  and  messengers.  These  titles  were  used  in  let- 
ters missive,  till  the  beginning  of  this  century,  to  designate  the 
pastors  and  delegates  invited  to  assist  in  the  ordination  of  mini- 
sters. 

1700.  —  Charlestown  voted  "that  all  the  waste  land  belonging 
to  the  town,  on  the  north  side  of  Mystic  River,  should  be  divided, 
and  laid  out  equally,  to  every  person  an  equal  share  that  hath  been 
an  inhabitant  of  this  town  six  years,  and  is  twenty-one  years  old ; 
and  the  like  share  to  all  widows,  householders,  that  have  been  six 
years  inhabitants." 

1703.  —  A  terrific  storm  occurred  in  England.  Bishop  Kidder, 
Bishop  of  Bath  and  Wells,  was  killed,  with  his  wife,  by  the  falling 
of  chimneys  upon  them  while  in  bed  in  the  palace  at  Wells.  He 
was  kinsman  of  the  Kidders  of  Medford.  Mrs.  Samuel  Kidder, 
now  of  Medford,  is  a  descendant  of  Rev.  John  Rogers,  the  martyr. 

In  1712,  a  day-laborer  in  Medford  was  allowed  two  shillings  ;  for 
a  team,  one  day,  five  shillings. 

The  Rev.  Aaron  Porter's  signature  may  be  seen  in  the  town- 
records,  under  date  of  May  15  and  Aug.  20,  1717. 

June  12,  1717.  —  There  was  a  hearing  before  the  council  con- 
cerning the  question,  whether  Cambridge  or  Charlestown  should  be 
the  shire-town  of  Middlesex  County.  Judge  Sewall  says,  "  Mr. 
Auchmuty  pleaded  very  well  for  Charlestown.  His  discourse  was 
very  well  worth  hearing.  Mr.  Remington  alleged  and  proved  for 
Cambridge  very  pertinately  and  fully.  It  was  decided  for  Cam- 
bridge on  the  13th."  Then  came  the  question  of  concurrence  before 
the  House  of  Deputies.  It  was  a  close  vote.  The  judge  says, 
"  Could  not  tell  by  lifting  up  the  hands :  were  fain  to  divide  the 
house.  They  for  Cambridge  went  to  the  north  side ;  they  for 
Charlestown,  to  the  south.  Cambridge  had  forty-six ;  Charlestown, 
forty-one." 

1718.  —  Ruth  Albree,  daughter  of  John  Albree,  afterwards  the 
mother  of  John  Brooks,  was  baptized  May  4, 1718,  and  was  taken 
into  church  Jan.  24,  1743. 

May  12, 1718.  — "  Put  to  vote,  whether  persons  hiring  any  per- 
sons, or  leasing  out  tenements,  in  Medford,  may  be  obliged  to 
acquaint  the  selectmen  therewith,  or  liable  to  some  fine.  Voted  in 
the  negative." 

1720.  —  Tea  began  to  be  used  in  Medford. 

1721.  —  Medford  voted  to  turn  the  road  away  from  a  house  while 
the  smallpox  was  in  that  house. 

Aug.  14, 1721.  —  "  Sundry  inhabitants  on  the  north  side  of  Mys- 
tic River,  who  desired  to  be  set  off  from  Charlestown  to  Maiden," 


484 


HISTOKY    OF    MEDFORD. 


were  refused  their  petition  by  Charlestown.  From  the  earliest 
times,  there  seems  to  have  been  a  strong  desire  to  break  away  from 
Charlestown.  At  first,  it  was  the  largest  town  in  the  Colony ;  but 
town  after  town  has  been  severed  from  it,  till  now  it  is  the  smallest 
territorial  town  in  the  State  ! 

In  the  graveyard  at  Maiden,  we  find  the  following :  — 

"  Here  lies  buried  the  body  of  Capt.  Peter  Tufts,  who  died  Sept.  20,  1721, 

aged  73  years. 

"  Also  the  body  of  Mrs.  Mercy  Tufts,  wife  of  Capt.  Peter  Tufts,  who  died 

June  18,  1715,  aged  48  years. 

"Mercy,  daughter  of  Seaborn  Cotton,  was  born  Nov.  3,  1666. 
She  married  Captain  Peter  Tufts,  of  Medford.  Her  grandfather 
was  Rev.  John  Cotton,  of  England,  a  very  distinguished  divine." 
Dr.  Simon  Tufts,  of  Medford,  was  the  youngest  son  of  Peter  and 
Mercy  Tufts. 

1727.  —  Mr.  Thomas  Seccomb  left  valuable  records,  in  manu- 
script, containing  a  notice  of  every  clergyman  who  preached  in 
Medford,  and  all  the  texts  preached  from,  between  1727  and  1774; 
also  a  record  of  all  baptisms  and  all  contributions. 


Book  No  1  begins  Sept.  3,  1727 
„  „  2  „  June  20,  1736 
„  „  3  „  March  3,  1745 
„       „    4      „      Dec.     20,  1767 


and  ends  June  1,  1736. 
Feb.  28,  1745. 
Dec.  3,  1767. 
May    1,  1774. 


In  the  second  meeting-house,  5,134  sermons  were  preached,  and 
1,218  persons  baptized. 

Oct.  29,  1727.  —  The  great  earthquake  occurred  on  this  day 
(Sunday) ;  and  the  selectmen  of  Medford  appointed  the  next 
Wednesday,  Nov.  2,  to  be  observed  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  humilia- 
tion on  that  account. 

September,  1729.  —  The  Yankee  habit  of  using  a  jack-knife  on 
all  occasions  and  in  all  places  seems  to  have  given  our  town  some 
trouble ;  for  at  this  time  they  resolve,  by  a  public  vote,  to  prose- 
cute those  persons  who  have  cut  the  seats  of  the  new  meeting- 
house. 

Feb.  17, 1731.  —  Mr.  Turell  says  in  his  record,  "  Married,  stand- 
ing together,  William  Watson  and  Abigail  Hall."  Was  this  the  first 
time  he  had  seen  a  couple  so  placed  ? 

Sept.  12,  1731.  —  Rev.  John  Seccomb  preached  in  Medford. 

1735.  —  Sampson,  a  negro  slave,  was  sorely  frightened  by  a  wild 
bear  and  cub,  which  he  met  in  the  woods,  near  Governor  Cradock's 
house.  In  a  rock  on  the  north-east  border  of  Medford,  near  the 
corner  of  Melrose,  is  a  deep  excavation,  called  Bear's  Den. 

Oct.  8, 1738. —  Governor  Belcher  attended  meeting  in  Medford, 
Sunday.     Rev.  Mr.  Turell  preached. 

Rev.  Joshua  Tufts  preached  in  Medford,  Aug.  24,  1740. 

A  species  of  very  destructive  worm  appeared  in  July,  1743. 
They  destroyed  both  grass  and  corn.  Mr.  Turell  preached,  July 
3,  on  the  event,  from  Lam.  iii.  39,  and  Ezek.  xviii.  25. 


HISTORICAL   ITEMS. 


485 


1744.  —  Along-tailed  comet,  of  unusual  brightness,  frightened 
some  of  our  people  more  than  Mr.  Whitefield  had ;  but  a  wag  here 
said,  "  that  he  thought  it  the  most  profitable  itinerant  preacher  and 
friendly  new-light  that  had  yet  appeared." 

1745.  —  Medford  voted  thus:  Any  person  who  allows  his  dog  to 
go  into  the  meeting-house  on  Sunday  shall  pay  ten  shillings  (old 
tenor)  for  each  offence. 

1749.  —  Some  idea  of  travelling  expenses  may  be  obtained  from 
the  acts  of  the  town  relative  to  their  farm  on  the  Piscataqua  River. 
They  wished  to  sell  the  farm  for  two  thousand  pounds  (old  tenor) ; 
and  therefore  chose  Lieutenant  Stephen  Hall,  jun.,  and  Captain 
Samuel  Brooks,  to  go  to  Portsmouth,  N.H.,  and  settle  some  claims 
pertaining  to  the  land  ;  and  they  voted  forty  pounds  (old  tenor)  to 
be  given  them,  to  bear  the  expenses  of  the  journey. 

Robert  Burns  is  a  name  that  frequently  occurs  in  the  Medford 
records  about  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century. 

1750.  —  The  various  spelling  of  proper  names  by  the  different 
town-clerks  of  Medford  sometimes  makes  it  difficult  to  determine 
how  families  spelled  their  own  names. 

1750.  —  A  gallows  and  a  whipping-post  stood  near  Porter's  ta- 
vern, in  Cambridge  ;  and  this  gave  rise  to  the  schoolboy  strophe :  — 

"  Cambridge  is  a  famous  town, 
Both  for  wit  and  knowledge : 
Some  they  whip,  and  some  they  hang, 
And  some  they  send  to  college." 

Sept.  3,  1752.  —  The  Protestants  in  England  adopted  the  1st  of 
January  as  the  beginning  of  the  year,  instead  of  the  25th  of  March  ; 
and  Sept.  3  was  changed  to  Sept.  14. 

Jan.  29,  1753.  —  "  Dr.  Simon  Tufts,  and  Lucy  Tufts,  his  wife,  of 
Medford,  gave  a  quitclaim  deed  to  Thomas  Dudley  of  all  their 
right  to  the  property  of  their  honored  father,  William  Dudley,  Esq., 
of  Roxbury." 

In  1755,  Massachusetts  raised  a  large  part  of  the  two  thousand 
troops  who  were  to  dislodge  the  French  Neutrals  in  Nova  Scotia. 
Medford  furnished  its  share.  These  Acadians  were  conquered, 
and  they  and  their  effects  scattered  through  the  colonies.  One 
thousand  of  the  wretched  and  proscribed  sufferers  were  distributed 
in  Massachusetts.  Eight  of  them  were  cared  for  in  Medford. 
They  staid  a  long  time ;  and  the  kindness  of  our  people  reconciled 
them  to  their  lot.  The  family  of  Le  Bosquet  was  one  that  re- 
mained here. 

May  10,  1756.  —  "Voted  that  the  money  gathered  on  Thanks- 
giving-days be  given  to  the  poor  by  the  deacons."  This  was  the 
beginning  of  that  excellent  custom. 

1757. —  Stephen  Hall  gave  one  hundred  pounds  (old  tenor)  for 
the  purchase  of  a  funeral-pall  which  should  belong  to  the  town. 
Whereupon,  voted  that  it  should  be  free  for  the  town ;  but  that 
"  half  a  dollar  shall  be  paid  for  its  use  whenever  it  goes  out  of  town." 


486  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

1758.  —  Eev.  Ebenezer  Turell  wrote  his  first  will,  in  which  he 
gave  the  house  he  purchased  of  John  Giles  to  the  church  in  Med- 
ford,  "  for  the  use  of  the  ministry  for  ever."  He  afterwards  wrote 
two  different  wills.  The  bonds  and  mortgages  owned  by  him  in 
1772  amounted  to  £4,860. 

1759.  —  In  recording  marriages,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Turell  often 
designated  the  trade  or  profession  of  the  bridegroom.  Jan.  4,  1759, 
he  married  a  man,  and  called  him  "  a  ranger." 

1759.  —  The  first  time  of  using  the  silver  baptismal  basin  was 
Sept.  9,  1759,  when  Benjamin,  son  of  Benjamin  Francis,  was  bap- 
tized. The  last  baptism  in  the  second  meeting-house  was  of  Rhoda, 
daughter  of  Moses  Tufts,  Feb.  4,  1770.  The  first  in  the  new  meet- 
ing-house was  Lydia,  daughter  of  Samuel  Teel,  March  18,  1770. 

Nov.  24,  1759.  —  The  name  of  Mead  occurs  for  the  first  time  in 
the  Medford  records. 

1760.  —  The  word  dollar  occurs  in  the  Medford  records  for  the 
first  time. 

1760. — A  certain  clergyman  said  to  an  Indian,  "I  am  sorry  to 
see  you  drink  rum."  The  Indian  replied,  "  Yes,  we  Indians  do 
drink  rum ;  but  we  do  not  make  it." 

1761.  —  The  first  record  of  any  vote  of  thanks  in  Medford  bears 
date  of  May  13,  1761,  "  thanking  Mr.  Thomas  Brooks  for  his  good 
services  as  treasurer." 

1762.  —  Wages  for  a  man's  labor  one  day,  three  shillings  and 
fourpence  (lawful  money)  ;  for  a  man  and  team,  six  shillings  and 
eightpence. 

Nov.  1,  1763.  —  The  Stamp  Act  went  into  operation. 

In  1763,  there  were  nine  hundred  and  five  full-blooded  Indians 
in  the  Old  Colony. 

Sept.  7,  1767.  —  Voted  that  the  one  hundred  and  three  hymns 
written  by  Dr.  Watts  be  used  in  public  worship,  in  connection  with 
Tate  and  Brady's  version  of  the  Psalms. 

Thomas  Seccomb  was  town-clerk  for  twenty-two  years,  and 
resigned  in  1767.  He  wrote  a  very  legible  hand,  spelled  his  words 
properly,  and  was  the  only  person  in  Medford  who  seemed  to  have 
any  care  for  records,  or  any  thought  of  posterity  in  them. 

Oct.  13,  1768.  — Rev.  Edward  Brooks  preached  for  Mr.  Turell. 

Royalton,  Worcester  County,  Mass.,  was  named  in  honor  of 
Colonel  Royal,  of  Medford. 

1770.  —  The  engraving  of  the  house  in  which  the  writer  of  this 
history  was  born  is  placed  at  the  end  of  this  volume,  as  his  signature. 

March  26,  1770.  —  "Last  Tuesday,  Henry  Lloyd,  Esq.,  set  out 
on  a  journey  to  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and  the  southern  colo- 
nies ;  and  it  was  observed  that  the  gentleman's  whole  apparel  and 
house  furniture  were  of  American  manufacture.  His  clothes,  linen, 
shoes,  stockings,  boots,  gloves,  hat,  even  wig  and  wig-call,  were  ail 
manufactured  and  made  up  in  New  England.  An  example  truly 
worthy  of  imitation." 


HISTORICAL    ITEMS.  487 

May  14,  1772.  —  "Voted  that  the  selectmen  give  liberty  to  Mr. 
Noah  Floyd  to  build  a  shop  on  his  land  before  the  meeting-house." 

1 772.  —  For  a  day's  labor  by  a  man,  three  shillings  and  sixpence  ; 
for  a  man  and  team,  six  shillings  and  eightpence. 

1772.  —  Medford  chose  bread-weighers.  It  would  be  a  wise  law 
that  should  re-establish,  through  the  State,  such  officers,  who  would 
protect  the  poor  against  imposition  in  this  all-important  article  of 
daily  food.     Such  officers  in  Europe  are  deemed  indispensable. 

1774.  —  An  old  house,  owned,  and  kept  as  a  tavern,  by  Eben. 
Hills,  stood  in  the  market-place.  This  year,  it  was  purchased  by 
Mr.  Jonathan  Porter,  and  kept  by  him  as  a  tavern  and  a  store,  and 
was  a  favorite  resort  for  British  and  Hessian  officers  during  the 
Eevolution.  In  1785,  Mr.  Porter  took  down  the  house,  discon- 
tinued the  tavern,  and  built  his  private  residence  and  store  on  the 
spot  where  they  continue  to  this  day. 

1775. —  Before  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  General  Stark  fixed 
his  head-quarters  at  Medford,  in  the  house  built  by  Mr.  Jonathan 
Wade,  near  the  Medford  House,  on  the  east  side  of  the  street. 
After  the  battle,  twenty-five  of  the  general's  men,  who  had  been 
killed,  were  brought  here,  and  buried  in  the  field,  about  fifty  or  sixty 
rods  north  of  Gravelly  Bridge.  Their  bones  have  been  discovered 
recently. 

1775.  —  Our  patriot  fathers  cut  down  those  "white-pine  trees 
which  his  majesty  had  reserved  for  the  use  of  his  royal  navy,"  and 
supplied  the  American  troops  with  fuel  at  Cambridge  and  Charles- 
town. 

1775.  —  Major  Andrew  McClary,  of  Colonel  Stark's  regiment, 
was  a  brave  and  good  man.  After  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  he 
rode  to  Medford  to  procure  bandages  for  the  wounded.  After  his 
return,  a  shot  from  a  frigate,  laying  where  Cragie's  Bridge  is, 
passed  through  his  body.  "  He  leaped  a  few  feet  from  the  ground, 
pitched  forward,  and  fell  dead  on  his  face.  He  was  carried  to 
Medford,  and  interred  with  the  honors  of  war."  He  lies  about  fifty 
or  sixty  rods  north  of  the  old  burying-ground. 

June  16,  1775.  —  Colonel  Dearborn's  troops,  from  New  Hamp- 
shire, stopped  in  Medford  through  the  night,  and  marched  early  for 
Winter  Hill  on  the  morning  of  the  17th. 

February,  1776.  —  While  the  British  troops  held  possession  of 
Boston,  an  English  officer,  in  disguise,  left  the  town,  and  came  to 
Medford  to  see  a  friend  who  was  dangerously  ill ;  and,  although  he 
came  under  cover  of  the  night,  the  Americans  in  Charlestown  sus- 
pected him,  and  followed  him  to  Medford.  His  apprehension  and 
death  were  almost  certain.  What  to  do,  or  where  to  fly,  he  knew 
not ;  but  to  decide  speedily  was  imperative.  He  knocked  at  the 
door  of  Benjamin  Hall,  Esq.,  and  asked  to  see  that  gentleman  in 
his  entry.  The  servant  told  him  that  Mr.  Hall  could  not  be  dis- 
turbed, because  he  was  engaged  at  a  sitting  of  the  "  Vigilance  Com- 
mittee " !     "  Good  Heavens ! "  he  exclaimed  to  himself  "  here  I  am 


488  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


in  the  Han's  mouth."  Rallying  from  this  surprise,  he  told  the  ser- 
vant to  "  go  and  ask  Mr.  Hall  to  step  here  a  moment."  She  went ; 
and  soon  Mr.  Hall  appeared,  leaving  behind  him  Joshua  Symonds, 
Samuel  Kidder,  Stephen  Hall,  jun.,  and  Ebenezer  Hall.  The 
stranger  asked  an  interview  alone  for  an  instant.  They  went 
together  into  a  side  room,  when  he  said  to  Mr.  Hall,  "  I  come  to 
put  myself  under  your  protection.  I  am  a  British  officer.  I  came 
to  Medford  to  see  a  sick  friend.  I  am  pursued ;  and  shall  be  killed, 
if  I  am  caught.  I  throw  myself  on  your  magnanimity."  Mr.  Hall 
replied,  "  You  could  not  have  appealed  to  any  man  who  feels  less 
sympathy  with  your  cause.  I  go,  with  all  my  head  and  heart  and 
hand,  for  the  freedom  of  the  Colonies ;  and  the  '  Vigilance  Com- 
mittee '  of  this  town  is  this  moment  in  session  in  an  adjoining  room ; 
and,  if  I  was  suspected  of  harboring  a  British  officer,  I  should  be 
mobbed.  You  must  leave  my  house  immediately."  The  officer 
replied,  that  he  was  ready  to  make  any  concessions  or  promises, 
and  was  ready  to  die  ;  but  did  not  wish  to  be  seized  by  an  infuriated 
soldiery,  and  hung  on  the  first  tree.  He  therefore  only  asked  to  be 
shielded  for  a  few  hours.  Mr.  Hall  now  felt  that  protection  to  such 
an  unarmed  man  was  an  act  of  magnanimity ;  and,  making  the  dis- 
tinction between  a  private  gentleman  and  a  public  enemy,  he  took 
a  candle,  and  told  the  officer  to  follow  him.  He  led  him  into  his 
garret,  and  secreted  him  behind  some  old  boxes,  having  made  him 
promise  to  leave  the  house  at  midnight.  The  officer  was  perfectly 
happy,  wedged  in  between  the  bags  and  barrels  of  a  dusty  garret ; 
and  there  he  lay,  in  total  darkness,  till  the  promised  hour,  when 
Mr.  Hall  showed  him  the  front  door ;  and  he  went  in  safety,  thank- 
ing his  generous  enemy  as  the  saviour  of  his  life. 

Jan.  4,  1779.  —  Our  town-record  reads  thus:  "Mr.  Jonathan 
Patten  says  he  will  use  his  endeavor  that  Mr.  Foster  shall  not  use 
any  more  charcoal  in  the  blacksmith-shop  near  the  bridge ;  and.  if 
he  still  persists  in  using  charcoal,  that  he,  the  said  Patten,  will 
desire  Mr.  Foster  to  quit  the  shop."  How  Mr.  Blacksmith  Foster 
could  get  along  with  his  work  in  those  days  without  charcoal,  we  do 
not  see  ;  and  why  this  municipal  interdict,  we  do  not  know. 

Where  the  town-pump  now  stands,  in  the  market-place,  there 
was  a  small  pond,  whose  edges  were  covered  with  a  growth  of  small 
flags ;  and  there  are  persons  now  living,  whose  fathers  have  told 
them  that  wild  ducks  were  shot  in  that  pond. 

May  19,  1780.  —  This  was  the  dark  day.  By  ten  o'clock,  a.m., 
it  had  the  appearance  of  night.  Pomp,  a  negro  in  Medford,  became 
frightened,  and,  going  to  his  master,  said,  "  Massa,  the  day  of  judg- 
ment has  come  :  what  shall  I  do  ?  "  "  Why,  Pomp,  you'd  better 
wash  up  clean,  and  put  on  your  Sunday  clothes."  Pomp,  perceiv- 
ing that  his  master  was  not  frightened,  began  to  produce  proofs. 
"  Massa,  it  has  come  ;  for  the  hens  are  all  going  to  roost."  "  Well, 
Pomp,  they  show  their  sense."  "And  the  tide,  massa,  in  the 
river,  has  stopped  running."     "  Well,  Pomp,  it  always  does  at  high 


HISTORICAL    ITEMS.  489 

water."  "  But,  massa,  it  feels  cold ;  and  this  darkness  grows  more 
and  more."  "  So  much  the  better,  Pomp;  for  the  day  of  judgment 
will  be  all  fire  and  light."     Pomp  concluded  not  to  wash  up,  but  wait. 

1781.  —  "New-England  money."  This  epithet  is  used  in  the 
Medford  records,  for  the  first  time,  in  1781,  when  the  town  voted 
to  raise  one  thousand  three  hundred  pounds,  to  pay  interest  on  their 
debt. 

1781.  —  When  the  news  of  the  surrender  of  Lord  Cornwallis 
reached  Medford,  1781,  the  inhabitants  immediately  testified  their 
joy  by  a  bonfire  on  the  top  of  Pasture  Hill.  Wood  and  rags, 
covered  with  tar,  were  the  imflammable  materials  used  to  express 
the  jubilation. 

The  first  register  of  deeds  in  Middlesex  County  chosen,  Dec.  20, 
1784.  There  was  but  one  candidate,  —  William  Winthrop,  Esq., 
—  who  received  seventeen  votes  in  Medford. 

1785.  —  "Aunt  Jenny"  Watts,  of  Medford,  carried  baked  pud- 
dings and  beans,  on  horseback,  in  market-baskets,  to  Cambridge 
College  twice  each  week,  and  would  retail  her  load  only  to  under- 
graduates !  She  sold  the  best  of  articles,  at  the  lowest  prices,  and 
was  almost  overwhelmed  with  customers.  She  said  she  was  the 
5ea«efactor  of  the  college,  and  had  no  desire  to  make  the  young 
men  mealy-mouthed  or  pudding-headed. 

Aug.  7,  1786.  —  For  the  first  time,  Medford  granted  liberty  of 
building  horse-sheds  behind  the  meeting-house. 

Rev.  Mr.  Osgood  boarded  many  years  in  the  family  of  Deacon 
Richard  Hall,  and  a  very  close  intimacy  blessed  both  parties  after- 
wards. On  a  Sunday,  Mrs.  Hall  was  taken  ill  in  church,  and  her 
husband  went  out  with  her.  After  some  time,  the  deacon  returned. 
As  soon  as  he  had  shut  the  door,  Mr.  Osgood  stopped  in  his  ser- 
mon, and  said,  "  Mr.  Hall,  how  is  aunt  rfbw  ?  "  "  She  is  better," 
was  the  reply. 

1789.  —  Thomas  Brooks,  Esq.,  acquired  great  popularity  as  one 
of  the  "  marrying  justices."  One  day,  while  riding  on  horseback  to 
Woburn,  he  discovered  a  party  of  six  young  persons  —  three  male, 
and  three  female  —  riding  on  horseback  towards  him.  He  guessed 
their  errand ;  and  they  guessed  that  the  cocked  hat,  bush-wig,  and 
silver  buckles  approaching  them  must  belong  to  "  the  squire."  Both 
parties  stopped.  The  bridegroom  announced  his  wishes,  and  the 
squire  replied  thus  :  "  My  young  friends,  we  are  here  in  the  midst  of 
this  lofty  forest,  upon  an  unfrequented  road,  with  God's  clear  sky 
over  us,  and  his  green  earth  under  us.  We  shall  not  be  disturbed.  I 
propose  to  solemnize  your  marriage  here  :  what  say  you  ?  "  They 
gladly  consented.  He  told  them  not  to  dismount,  but  to  arrange 
themselves  in  due  order,  —  the  gentlemen  on  one  side,  and  the 
ladies  on  the  other.  This  being  done,  he  placed  his  horse  so  as  to 
be  directly  in  front  of  the  bride  and  bridegroom.  Then,  taking  off 
his  hat,  he  began  his  prayer ;  and  report  says  that  he  was  "  gifted 
in  prayer,"  and  that,  on  this  occasion,  "  he  prayed  like  an  angel." 

62 


490  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

The  introductory  service  concluded,  the  plight  of  vows  was  made, 
the  union  declared,  and  the  benediction  pronounced  ;  and  then  the 
whole  party  journeyed  back  together,  rejoicing  in  the  poetry  ap- 
pended to  the  great  event. 


tjrwrnot?    jbrv-v-^f 


Medford  was  represented  in  the  General  Court  by  a  conscien- 
tious and  trustworthy  man,  who  had  fallen  into  the  habit  of  sleeping 
after  dinner.  Sleep  he  must,  and  sleep  he  would.  Medford  had 
petitioned  the  Legislature  for  a  grant  of  certain  rights  touching  the 
fishery  in  Mystic  River.  This  gentleman  had  presented  the  petition  ; 
and  the  day  was  fixed  for  its  consideration  by  the  house.  That  day 
had  arrived  ;  and  the  Medford  representative  was  all  alive  to  the 
question,  and  had  prepared  his  speech  for  the  decisive  moment,  in 
defence  of  the  petition.  Two  sessions  were  held  that  day ;  and  the 
Medford  fisheries  were  to  come  up  immediately  after  dinner ! 
How,  then,  could  our  representative  get  his  nap  ?  He  went  to  his 
seat  in  the  house  at  a  very  early  moment ;  and  soon  his  next 
neighbor  came  and  sat  beside  him.  It  now  occurred  to  him  that  he 
might  safely  secure  a  short  nap,  by  asking  his  neighbor  to  wake 
him  when  the  subject  of  Medford  fisheries  was  called  up.  His 
friendly  neighbor  promised  to  do  so :  therefore  Medford  went  to 
sleep.  The  house  soon  came  to  order ;  and  it  was  then  proposed 
to  pass  another  bill  first,  because  no  debate  would  be  needed  upon 
it.  The  bill  was  for  the  suppression  of  houses  of  ill-fame.  It  was 
not  debated ;  and  the  vote  upon  it  was  about  to  be  taken,  when  our 
representative's  next  neighbor  thought  that  his  friend  would  like  to 
vote  on  the  occasion,  and  therefore  awoke  him  suddenly.  He  had 
hardly  got  his  eyes  and  wits  fairly  open  before  the  speaker  cried 
out,  in  the  usual  phrase,  "  Is  the  house  ready  for  the  question  ?  " 
Medford  sprang  upon  his  feet  in  an  instant,  exclaiming,  "Mr. 
Speaker !  I  must  ask  the  attention  of  the  house  for  a  few  moments 
to  some  remarks  on  this  important  and  interesting  question ;  because, 
Mr.  Speaker,  many  of  my  constituents  get  their  living  by  this  very 
business."  A  roar  of  laughter  burst  from  every  quarter  of  the 
house.  The  Medford  representative  stood  aghast  in  raw  wonder. 
As  soon  as  quiet  could  be  restored,  the  speaker  said  to  him,  "  Do 
you  know  what  the  question  before  the  house  is  ?  "  "  Why,  yes : 
it's  fishing  in  Mystic  River,  ain't  it  ?  "  Another  peal  of  laughter 
convulsed  the  assembly. 

March  5,  1792.  —  Isaac  Floyd  chosen  sexton.  This  is  the  first 
time  an  officer  with  this  name  appears  on  our  records. 

Jan.  1,  1794.  —  Voted  that  the  selectmen  purchase  a  new  cushion 
for  the  pulpit.  They  accordingly  purchased  "  the  green  velvet 
one,"  which  some  of  us,  who  preached  our  first  sermon  from  it, 
remember  with  all  the  distinctness  that  people  remember  the  time 
when  they  had  "  that  great  fever." 


HISTORICAL    ITEMS.  491 

May  12,  1794.  —  A  new  pew  in  Medford  meeting-house  sold 
at  auction,  at  twenty-four  pounds.  In  the  same  year,  good  oak  wood 
sold  at  one  pound  per  cord. 

1794.  —  Joseph  Kidder,  son  of  Deacon  Samuel  Kidder,  strayed 
from  home  into  the  woods  back  of  Pasture  Hill.  He  was  three 
years  old  ;  and,  being  weary,  he  fell  asleep  under  an  apple-tree,  and 
there  slept  till  the  next  day.  It  was  in  July,  and  the  weather 
very  clear.  The  disappearance  of  the  child  created  great  alarm ; 
and  many  inhabitants  spent  the  night  in  traversing  the  woods, 
searching  the  clay-pits,  and  dredging  the  river.  During  the  fore- 
noon, he  was  found  near  where  he  slept,  "  his  head  filled  with  dew, 
and  his  locks  with  drops  of  the  night." 

After  Sept.  1,  1795,  all  accounts  in  Medford  were  kept  in  dollars, 
cents,  and  mills. 

1797.  —  Mrs.  Benjamin  Hall  presented  the  town  with  a  funeral- 
pall,  suitable  to  be  used  at  the  burial  of  young  persons. 

1798.  —  A  "  deer  reeve  "  chosen  in  Medford.     For  what  ? 
1800.  —  About  this  time,  the  "  Ohio  fever  "  prevailed  ;  and  some 

from  Medford  emigrated  to  that  western  land  of  promise.  They 
have  prospered  greatly.  A  member  of  the  United  States  Senate, 
and  a  member  of  the  United  States  House  of  Representatives,  at 
the  present  time,  are  Ohio  children  from  the  oldest  Medford 
stock. 

Several  years  ago,  two  Medford  gentlemen  were  speaking  of  a 
young  man,  who  was  acting  the  sorry  part  of  spendthrift  and 
libertine.  One  of  the  gentlemen  said,  "  Oh !  he  is  sowing  his  wild 
oats."  "  Yes,"  replied  the  other ;  "  and  the  fool  don't  know  they'll 
all  come  up  again." 

1800.  —  After  this  time,  "commonable  beasts"  —  i.e.,  horses, 
oxen,  cows,  sheep,  and  hogs  —  were  not  allowed  to  go  at  large  in  the 
public  roads. 

The  first  "  clerk  of  the  market"  chosen,  March  2,  1801. 

1804.  —  During  the  first  part  of  Rev.  Dr.  Osgood's  ministry,  the 
number  of  children  baptized,  in  each  year,  was  about  fifteen ; 
which  number  steadily  increased  till  it  reached  its  maximum,  of 
forty-one,  in  1804. 

1805.  —  Health  Committee  chosen  for  the  first  time.  Does  this 
show  -the  healthiness  of  the  town  ? 

1805.  —  The  Medford  omnibus,  named  "  Governor  Brooks,"  was 
said  to  be  the  first  vehicle  of  the  kind  built  in  New  England.  It 
was  made  by  Mr.  Osgood  Bradley,  of  Worcester,  Mass. ;  and  first 
appeared  on  its  route,  Oct.  18,  1836.  It  cost  $650.  Eighteen 
persons  could  be  seated  inside,  and  six  outside.  It  was  owned  and 
driven  by  Mr.  Joseph  Wyman,  of  Medford,  who  began  his  new 
business,  Feb.  16,  1805 ;  and,  for  thirty  years,  drove  daily  a  public 
coach  between  Medford  and  Boston,  without  overturning  it.  The 
fare  was  thirty-seven  and  a  half  cents  for  many  years ;  but  com- 
petition reduced  it  to  twenty-five. 


492  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

1808.  —  In  the  public  school,  an  assistant  teacher  is  provided  for 
the  first  time. 

1808.  —  Digging  for  hidden  money,  near  the  "  Rock  Landing," 
was  three  times  repeated  by  (as  is  said)  Mr.  James  Francis,  of 
Medford,  and  Mr.  James  Hall,  of  Charlestown.  We  remember 
seeing  the  three  excavations.  The  first,  on  the  southern  brow  of 
Rock  Hill,  was  a  hole  four  feet  deep  and  four  feet  in  diameter,  and 
was  enclosed  within  a  small  circular  furrow  dug  in  the  earth.  The 
work  was  done  in  the  night.  The  second,  in  Mr.  Jonathan  Brooks's 
land,  was  within  thirty  feet  of  the  river,  and  was  small  in  circum- 
ference, and  quite  deep.  The  third  was  within  ten  feet  of  the  river, 
by  the  bathing-rock.  It  disclosed  a  cave  walled  up  on  each  side, 
and  arched ;  its  length  about  six  feet,  its  width  three,  and  its  height 
three.  The  rocks  were  red,  and  so  soft  that  they  were  ground  and 
used  in  painting  £aptain  Richardson's  house.  No  rocks  of  that 
kind  are  known  in  this  country.  ,  These  diggings  were  at  different 
times  ;  but  no  one  has  ever  told  what  success  attended  the  explo- 
rations. Other  small  trials  were  made  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
town.     Spirits  are  now  substituted  for  witch-hazel. 

1808.  —  Snowballing.  At  this  time,  the  boys  who  lived  east  of 
the  meeting-house  were  called  maggots  ;  and  they  who  lived  west  of 
it  were  called  fag-enders.  Between  these  parties,  the  most  furious 
and  unbrotherly  battles  were  fought  each  winter  with  snowballs. 
Snow  forts  were  erected  behind  the  meeting-house  ;  and  so  high  ran 
the  spirit  of  contest,  that  the  boys  from  the  east  procured  a  small 
cannon,  which  they  loaded  so  heavily,  that,  on  its  discharge,  it  burst, 
and  wounded  a  boy  in  the  face.  The  effect  of  that  injury  continues 
to  this  day. 

1809.  —  Two  representatives  to  the  General  Court  elected  in 
Medford. 

1809.  —  The  number  of  deaths  in  Medford,  between  1774  and 
1809,  was  701. 

1810.  —  Medford  had  a  large  choir  of  volunteer  singers,  under 
the  faithful  Ephraim  Bailey.  On  Sunday,  once,  the  pitch-pipe  set 
the  pitch  so  high  that  the  whole  choir  broke  down.  Still,  Bailey 
tried  on  the  second  verse,  and  again  broke  down.  General  Brooks 
could  not  endure  it  any  longer ;  and  he  rose  in  his  pew,  beck- 
oned to  Bailey,  and  said,  "  Hadn't  you  better  take  another  pitch  ?  " 
Bailey  replied,  "  No,  sir :  I  guess  we  can  get  through  it." 

1811.  May  13.  —  "Voted  to  instruct  the  representative  of  Med- 
ford in  the  General  Court  to  oppose  the  petition  of  Peter  Tufts, 
praying  to  be  set  off  to  Charlestown."     The  petition  was  granted. 

1814.  —  The  free  seats  near  the  pulpit  in  the  meeting-house, 
which  were  formerly  occupied  by  aged  men  and  women,  were  sold, 
and  two  pews  built  in  their  place. 

1815.  —  Nahant  Parties.  At  this  time,  when  only  a  few  persons 
resided  at  Nahant,  it  was  the  custom  for  families  in  Medford  to 
join  in  a  party  to  that  beautiful  promontory.     From  ten  to  twenty 


HISTORICAL   ITEMS.  493 

chaises  would  start  together  ;  and,  reaching  Mr.  Breed's,  the  ladies 
and  gentlemen,  girls  and  boys,  would  proceed  to  fishing  from  the 
rocks  and  boats.  Each  one  wore  the  commonest  clothes ;  and  the 
day  was  passed  in  all  sorts  of  sports.  A  fish-dinner  was  an  agreed 
part  of  the  fare;  and  a  supper  at  Lynn  Hotel  closed  the  eating  of 
the  day.  The  party  rode  home  by  moonlight ;  and,  by  ten  o'clock, 
were  tired  enough  to  go  to  bed. 

Dec.  10,  1816. — The  town  of  Brooks,  in  Hancock  County, 
Maine,  containing  13,744  acres,  was  named  in  honor  of  the  go- 
vernor. 

Every  town  rejoices  in  some  euphonious  local  names.  Medford  has 
Sodom,  Ram-head,  Labor  in  Vain,  No  Man's  Friend,  Hardscrabble. 

A  minister  was  asked  if  he  would  attend  an  evening  meeting 
for  religious  worship.  He  answered,  "  No :  I  have  no  opinion  of 
religion  got  by  candle-light." 

The  first  time  any  meeting-house  in  Medford  had  been  heated  by 
a  stove  was  Dec.  18,  1820. 

1822.  —  The  delta  of  trees,  within  the  triangular  fence,  which 
is  in  the  public  road,  at  the  junction  of  High  and  Grove  Streets, 
near  the  Lowell  Railroad  Station,  in  West  Medford,  was  planted 
by  the  Hon.  Peter  C.  Brooks  in  1822 ;  and  the  fence  was  built  at 
his  expense. 

1825.  —  Medford  has  not  been  a  resort  for  Jews ;  but  it  had  one 
who  is  remembered  with  interest,  —  Abraham  Touro,  eminent  for 
his  social  and  generous  qualities.  When  General  Lafayette  reached 
Massachusetts,  Mr.  Touro  offered  him  his  noble  horse  for  his  en- 
trance into  Boston.  On  the  day  of  that  triumphant  entry,  Mr. 
Touro  was  standing  in  his  chaise,  to  catch  his  first  sight  of  the 
illustrious  visitor,  when  a  sudden  start  of  his  horse  threw  him  from 
his  place,  and  broke  his  leg.  The  fracture  was  a  very  bad  one, 
and  the  patient  grew  worse  daily.  The  physicians  and  surgeons 
did  all  they  could,  and  finally  assured  him  that  nothing  but  ampu- 
tation could  save  his  life.  With  a  Jew's  traditionary  prejudice 
against  that  operation,  he  firmly  answered  thus  :  ttNb!  I  will  never  . 
go  into  heaven  with  one  leg." 

He  left  about  two  hundred  thousand  dollars ;  and  distributed  it, 
by  will,  in  legacies  varying  from  five  to  twenty  thousand  dollars. 
He  gave  much  in  charity.  He  left  a  large  sum  to  keep  the  syna- 
gogue in  Newport,  R.I.,  in  good  repair. 

1825.  —  Parties  in  the  Woods.  Within  the  first  twenty  years  of 
this  century,  it  was  customary  for  select  parties  of  girls  and  boys, 
in  whortleberry-time,  to  go  into  the  woods  near  Pine  Hill,  or  at  the 
Bower,  and  there  frolic  in  true  rustic  style.  A  long  extempore 
table  was  crowded  with  eatables,  which  had  been  contributed  by  the 
several  members  of  the  party.  Rural  dresses  and  schoolboy  man- 
ners gave  zest  to  the  occasion ;  while  dancing  on  the  grass  allowed 
all  to  join.  The  coming  home  in  procession,  or  in  carts,  gave  the 
last  touch  to  the  jubilant  scene. 


494  HISTORY    OF  MEDFORD. 

May  4,  1829,  the  streets  in  Medford  received  their  names. 

1829.  —  Voted  that  each  owner  of  a  dog  shall  pay  $1.25  annually 
as  a  tax :  also  that  each  dog  shall  wear  a  collar ;  and,  if  found  with- 
out one,  its  owner  shall  pay  $10. 

1830. —  Voted  to  have  the  bell  rung  at  twelve,  m.,  and  nine,  p.m. 

1836.  —  Mrs.  John  Fulton,  who  died  this  year,  aged  ninety-five, 
was  one  of  those  who  helped  to  dress  the  wounds  of  the  soldiers  who 
were  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  Many  of  the  wounded  soldiers 
were  brought  to  Medford.  She  was  a  true  patriot ;  and  General 
Washington  honored  her  with  a  visit.  At  that  time,  they  had 
bought  a  punch-bowl ;  and  the  general  was  the  first  person  who 
drank  out  of  it.  The  bowl  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  Frederick  Brad- 
lee,  of  Boston.  Mr.  John  Fulton,  of  Medford,  was  cousin  to  Mr. 
Robert  Fulton,  the  inventor  of  steamboats ;  and  they  were  once 
prisoners  together.  Mrs.  Fulton's  mother  was  a  Wier,  who  came 
over  with  the  "  Scotch-Irish  "  company. 

1840,  —  The  pillars  which  sustained  the  gallery  of  the  third 
meeting-house  (1770)  are  now  in  use  in  West  Medford,  on  the 
outside  of  the  house  of  the  late  Jonathan  Brooks. 

Mr.  TureWs  Portrait.  —  In  Church  Records,  vol.  hi.  p.  104,  are 
the  following:  "  1842,  July.  —  The  church  received,  from  the  hand 
of  Dudley  Hall,  a  bequest  of  the  late  Turell  Tufts,  Esq.,  —  two  pieces 
of  plate  for  the  communion-table ;  and  a  portrait  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Turell,  one  of  the  former  pastors  of  this  church. 

"  Aug.  7.  —  At  a  meeting  of  the  church  this  day,  a  letter  was 
read  by  Dudley  Hall,  from  Samuel  Turell  Armstrong,  requesting 
the  church  to  transfer  to  him,  during  his  lifetime,  the  above-men- 
tioned portrait  of  Mr.  Turell.  The  church  voted  unanimously  that 
this  request  be  complied  with  ;  and  that  Dudley  Hall,  the  treasurer, 
be  authorized  to  deliver  the  portrait  to  Mr.  Armstrong." 

It  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Mrs.  S.  T.  Armstrong,  widow,  in 
Boston. 

1854.  —  In  the  New  England  Historical  and  Genealogical  Regis- 
ter, of  October,  is  a  biographical  notice  of  Hon.  Peter  C.  Brooks, 
written  by  Hon.  Edward  Everett,  doing  justice  to  the  character  of 
our  distinguished  townsman. 

1854.  —  Captain  Duncan  Ingraham  married  the  widow  of  Dr. 
Simon  Tufts,  as  his  second  wife,  and  resided  in  Medford.  By  his 
first  wife,  he  had  a  son,  named  Nathaniel,  who  endeavored  to  force 
back  into  slavery  Caesar,  a  Malay.  Nathaniel  had  a  son,  named 
Duncan  N.,  who  attended  our  public  schools,  and  is  remembered  as 
a  boy  of  spirit  and  force.  He  has  recently  rendered  himself  famous 
by  his  bold  measure  at  Smyrna  for  the  rescue  of  an  Hunga- 
rian. So  popular  is  this  measure,  that  even  the  working-classes 
of  England  have  united  to  present  to  him  a  valuable  chrono- 
meter. It  bears  the  following  inscription :  "  Presented  to  Capiain 
Ingraham,  of  the  United  States  navy,  by  some  thousands  of  the 
British  working-classes,  for  his  noble  conduct  in   rescuing   Mar- 


LETTER.  495 

tin  Koszta,  the  Hungarian  refugee,  from  the  Austrian  authorities, 
April,  1854." 

1855.  —  Mr.  Benjamin  Noyes,  son  of  Benjamin,  was  born  in 
West  Medford,  and  educated  at  the  public  school.  He  is  now  head 
engineer  in  constructing  one  hundred  miles  of  railroad  for  the 
Emperor  of  the  Russias. 

1855.  —  There  are  many  stumps  of  large  pitch-pine  trees  now 
remaining  in  East  Medford,  on  land  of  Mr.  Charles  Hall.  The 
field  is  called  "  stump-marsh."  At  the  usual  spring-tides,  the  salt- 
water covers  this  field  from  four  to  eight  inches  in  depth.  Could 
the  forest  of  pines  have  lived  and  grown  up,  if  thus  covered  with 
salt-water  every  fortnight?  Is  proof  found  here  of  the  theory,  that 
the  land  on  the  New-England  coast  is  sinking? 

1855.  —  William  Tufts,  Esq.,  born  in  Medford,  March  1,  1787, 
entered  the  State  House,  as  clerk  in  the  office  of  the  adjutant-gene- 
ral, in  1813 ;  and,  with  the  exception  of  three  years,  has  been 
employed,  till  this  year,  as  confidential  clerk,  under  the  different 
administrations.  He  has  been  called  "  the  oldest  man  of  the  State 
House."  No  one  was  so  able  to  aid  seekers  after  historical  docu- 
ments, and  no  one  could  have  been  more  ready. 

1855 — 1655.  —  What  would  our  Medford  ancestors  have  said 
if  they  could  have  anticipated  this  time,  when  speed  is  deified,  and 
when  haste  seems  to  increase  with  the  means  of  haste  ? 

"  Tramp,  tramp,  across  the  land ; 
Splash,  splash,  across  the  sea  !  " 


LETTER. 

In  closing  the  history  of  one  of  the  oldest  towns  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, we  are  naturally  led  to  the  inquiry,  How  will  the 
condition  of  those  born  here  two  hundred  years  after  us  com- 
pare with  that  of  those  born  here  two  hundred  years  before 
us  ?  Standing  between  these  two  extremes,  our  hearts 
become  moved  with  a  parental  regard  towards  children  who 
will  live  as  far  from  us  in  the  future  as  our  fathers  did  in  the 
past.  Had  we  a  telegraph  for  time,  as  we  have  one  for  space, 
we  would  gladly  send  forward  our  welcomes  and  wishes,  to  be 
in  waiting  for  them  ;  but  the  only  chance  we  have  of  reaching 
them  with  our  messages  of  love  is  to  trust  in  the  preservation 
of  musty  historic  records  in  fire-proof  libraries.  How  small 
the  hope !     A  block  of  driftwood,  in  the  Pacific,  is  said  to 


496  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

haTe  found  its  way  into  the  Atlantic,  and  finally  reached  a 
shcre.  Presuming  on  this  smallest  of  all  chances,  we  would 
now  cast  our  historic  block  into  the  deep  waters  of  1855  ; 
hoping,  that,  after  it  has  been  tossed  by  the  waves  and  winds 
of  two  centuries,  it  may  be  driven  on  the  shore  of  2055. 
Should  it  have  this  unexpected  rescue,  we  would,  in  such 
case,  try  to  cheer  it,  amid  the  awkwardness  of  its  antique 
dress  and  the  sorrows  of  its  shattered  condition,  by  sending 
with  it  our  following  letter  of  introduction :  — 

The  Inhabitants  of  Medford  in  1855,  to  the  Inhabitants  of  Medford 
in  2055,  send  greeting  : 

Children  and  Townsmen,  —  As  we  close  this  volume  of 
history,  which  we  have  written  for  you,  we  would  not  send 
it  without  expressing  our  united  and  hearty  good  wishes  for 
your  health,  prosperity,  and  happiness.  That  we  have 
thought  of  you  much  and  often,  you  will  readily  believe. 
We  have  hoped  that  physical  training  will  in  your  day  be  so 
applied,  that  you  can  be  strong  like  Maximinus  ;  intellectual 
development  so  secured,  that  you  can  analyze  like  Bacon  ; 
moral  power  so  advanced,  that  you  can  conquer  like  Paul ; 
and  true  Christianity  so  received,  that  you  can  be  one  with 
Christ,  as  he  is  one  with  God. 

The  points  in  which  you  will  exceed  us  are  of  course 
unknown  to  us ;  but  we  have  unbounded  faith  in  the  ener- 
gies of  man.  Onward  and  upward  is  the  law;  "  Excelsior" 
the  motto.  You  may  look  back  on  our  age,  and  perhaps 
call  it  an  age  of  darkness,  persecution,  and  bad  philosophy, 
and  call  it  by  its  right  name.  Looking  through  the  glim- 
merings of  the  future,  we  now,  therefore,  rejoice  with  you  in 
advance  over  a  progress  in  natural  science,  intellectual  phi- 
losophy, and  moral  truth,  to  us  inconceivable.  The  earth 
and  sea,  the  air  and  light,  will  doubtless  perform  for  you  a 
thousand  offices  of  help  and  beauty  of  which  we  never 
dreamed.  The  law  regulating  the  weather  will  by  you  be 
understood;  and  you  may  journey  through  the  depths  of 
ocean  and  the  depths  of  air  as  securely  as  we  do  on  the  sur- 
face of  the  ground.  The  waste  fields  now  around  us  will 
doubtless,  in  your  day,  be  filled  with  a  crowded  population ; 
and  Medford,  as  a  part  of  the  capital,  may  have  lost  its 
present  individuality.  We  here  solemnly  and  affectionately 
bequeath  to  you  all  we  possess ;  with  the  hope  and  the 
prayer,  that,  long  before  our  wishes  reach  you,  there  may  be, 


497 


as  far  as  there  can  be,  an  end  to  the  blasting  power  of  igno- 
rance and  the  damning  power  of  sin ;  that  the  fires  of  intem- 
perance, and  the  injustice  of  slavery,  and  the  crime  of  war, 
may  be  no  more  seen;  that  all  superstition,  polytheism,  and 
idolatry,  all  violations  of  the  eternal  right,  and  all  the  bitter- 
ness of  sectarian  zeal,  may  have  passed  to  their  graves  for  ever. 
In  one  word,  we  hope  and  pray,  that,  as  your  turn  shall 
come  to  act  and  suffer  the  allotments  of  humanity,  there 
may  not  be  on  earth  one  rational  being  who  does  not  cheer- 
fully acknowledge  the  fatherhood  of  God  and  the  brotherhood 
of  man.  * 

To  you,  we  must  seem  among  the  ancients  ;  and  you  may 
wonder  how  we  looked,  felt,  and  acted.  The  laws  of  Nature 
do  not  change  :  and  your  organs  will  obey  them  as  do  ours. 
You  look  at  the  light  blue  of  the  sky,  or  the  dark  blue  of 
the  ocean  ;  at  the  green  grass  of  summer,  or  the  yellow  leaf 
of  autumn ;  at  the  brightness  of  Orion,  or  the  mountains  of 
the  moon  ;  at  the  changing  hues  of  sunset,  or  the  bursting- 
splendors  of  the  aurora;  on  the  innocent  gambols  of  a  child, 
or  the  sweet  smile  of  a  parent ;  on  the  deep  sorrow  of  mis- 
fortune, or  the  marble  face  of  death.  You  look  at  these  ; 
and,  let  us  tell  you,  they  all  appeared  to  us  exactly  as  they 
do  to  you. 

In  the  woods,  you  hear  their  feathered  minstrelsy ;  and,  in 
the  bower,  the  advertising  cricket.  At  Niagara,  you  hear  the 
heavy  tones  of  its  pouring ;  and,  on  the  rocky  Atlantic  shore, 
the  thunder  of  the  sea.  In  the  angry  debate,  you  hear  the 
sharp  voice  of  passion  ;  and,  in  the  family  circle,  the  sweet 
song  of  love.  And,  be  assured,  these  sounds,  so  well  known 
to  you,  were  as  well  known  to  us.  To  you,  the  fragrance  of 
the  rose  and  the  miasma  of  the  fen,  the  sweet  of  honey  and 
the  bitter  of  wormwood,  the  touch  of  fire  and  the  feeling  of 
ice,  are  probably  the  very  same  which  we  have  experienced. 
Each  of  our  senses  has  carried  its  report  to  the  brain  by  that 
faithful  electricity  of  the  nerves  in  which  you  now  rejoice. 

Your  minds,  too,  though  enriched  by  superior  cultivation, 
have  attributes  in  common  with  ours.  You  delight  to  read 
the  poems  of  Homer  and  Virgil,  and  repeat  the  orations  of 
Demosthenes  and  Cicero  ;  you  sometimes  tire  amid  the 
sublimities  of  Milton,  and  love  to  see  man  and  Nature  lay 
their  treasures  at  Shakspeare's  feet.  And  here  let  us  say, 
that  your  classic  approbation  and  noble  fire  do  not  probably 
differ  much  from  ours. 


498  HISTOKY    OF    MEDFOKD. 

In  the  sweep  of  centuries,  the  heart  changes  less  than  the 
head.  You  feel  indignant  at  the  abuse  of  power  and  the 
triumph  of  wrong,  at  the  sight  of  ingratitude  and  the  thirst 
for  revenge  ;  while  your  whole  soul  melts  with  sympathy  at 
the  sight  of  suffering,  and  leaps  with  thanksgiving  to  perform 
the  office  of  the  good  Samaritan.  Your  love  of  country  is 
as  strong  as  it  is  lioble  ;  and  your  patriotic  hearts  beat  with 
generous  exultation  at  the  name  of  our  Washington  and 
yours,  of  our  Franklin  and  yours.  Your  love  of  home  is 
stronger  yet.  In  you,  the  delicate  tendrils  of  domestic  affec- 
tion intwine  themselves  life-long  around  the4  dear  objects  of 
your  fire-sides  ;  and  for  them  you  are  ready  to  labor,  and,  if 
need  be,  you  are  willing  to  die.  Above  all,  your  minds  are 
illumined  by  a  Christian  faith,  your  hearts  sanctified  by 
divine  grace,  and  your  souls  made  living  temples  of  the 
living  God.  How  far  we  resemble  you  in  these  riches  of  the 
heart,  we  dare  not  say.  It  has  been  our  endeavor  to  cheri:- 
them  all. 

Standing,  as  we  now  do,  mid-way  in  time  between  our  fir 
ancestors  and  you,  we  turn  reverently  towards  them  to  ren- 
der our  homage  of  gratitude,  and   turn  cheerfully  towards 
you  to  express  our  fulness  of  hope  ;  and,  with  the  orator  of 
our  century,  we  would  say,  — 

"  Advance,  then,  ye  future  generations !  We  would  hail 
you,  as  you  rise,  in  your  long  succession,  to  fill  the  places  which 
we  now  fill,  and  to  taste  the  blessings  of  existence,  where  we 
are  passing,  and  soon  shall  have  passed,  our  human  duration. 
We  bid  you  welcome  to  this  pleasant  land  of  the  Fathers. 
We  bid  you  welcome  to  the  healthful  skies  and  the  verdant 
fields  of  New  England.  We  greet  your  accession  to  the 
great  inheritance  which  we  have  enjoyed.  We  welcome  you 
to  the  blessings  of  good  government  and  religious  liberty. 
We  welcome  you  to  the  treasures  of  science  and  the  delights 
of  learning.  We  welcome  you  to  the  transcendent  sweets  of 
domestic  life,  —  to  the  happiness  of  kindred  and  parents  and 
children.  We  welcome  you  to  the  immeasurable  blessings 
of  rational  existence,  the  immortal  hope  of  Christianity,  and 
the  light  of  everlasting  truth." 


499 


REGISTER   OF   FAMILIES  * 


Remember  the  days  of  old;  consider  the  years  of  many  generations:  ask  thy  father,  and  1 
will  show  thee;  thy  elders,  and  they  will  tell  thee."  —  Deot.  xxxii.  7. 


1  ALBREE,  JOHN,  b.  in  the  Island  of  New  Providence  in  1688  ; 

came  to  Boston  in  1700,  where  he  m.,  in  1711,  Elizabeth  Green, 
of  Boston,  a  cousin  of  Gov.  Belcher.  She  d.  Dec.  6,  1751 ;  and 
he  d.  Aug.  28,  1755.     Children  :  — 

1-  2     Joseph,       b.  1712. 

3  Elizabeth,  „  Jan.  28,  1716  ;  d.  Mar.  17,  1735. 

4  Ruth,  „  May  17,  1718;  m.  Caleb  Brooks. 

5  Susanna,    „  1722;    „   John  Pratt. 

John  Albree  had  a  sister,  Elizabeth,  who  d.  uhm. 

1-  2  Joseph  Albree  m.  Judith  Reeves,  Dec.  23,  1756:  she  was  a  dau. 

of  Sam.  R..  and  d.  Jan.  26,  1778,  aged  43.     He  d.  Mar.  26,  1777, 
leaving  children :  — 
2-  6     John,  b.  Nov.    9,  1757. 

7  Joseph,       „  Aug.15,  1760;  m.  Susan  Dodge,  d.  s.p.  Feb.  16,  1815. 

8  Samuel,      „  Oct.  20,  1761. 

9  Elizabeth,  „  May  17,  1768;    „  Jonathan  Brooks ;  d.  Mar.  31,  1826. 

2-  6  John  Albree  m.  LyJia  Tuft*,  Jan.  5.  1793,  who  d.  Apr.  27,  1850 

He  d.  Nov.  6,  1S42.     Children :  — 

6-10  John,  b.  Jan.  23,  1 794 ;  m.  {  \s}>  £'  Sh^eJd'  Feb\ 10' 1824' 

I  2d,  Mar.  Child,  June  14,  1854. 

11  Lydia,  „  Apr.  24,  1798  ;  d.  May  31,  1822. 

12  George,         „  Feb.    1,  1803. 

13  William  T.,  „  July    8,  1805. 

14  Elizabeth,     „  Mar.    1,  1810;  m.  John  A.  Downie,  April  12,  1838. 
2-  8  Samuel  Albree  m.  Martha  Hodge,  of  Amherst,  May  16,  1786, 

who  d.  Apr.  2, 1841,  aged  72.     He  d.  Feb.  22, 1841.     He  had  — ' 

*  Wherever  two  numbers  are  connected  by  a  hyphen,  the  first  is  the  number  of  the  parent* 
and  the  second,  of  the  child.  Therefore,  in  every  family,  the  grandfather,  father,  and  child  have 
their  numbers  in  tbe  same  paragraph.  Thus  in  the  Albree  family  :  Joseph  m.  Judith  Keeves 
The  1-2  against  his  name  refers  to  the  previous  paragraph,  where'l  is  his  father's  number,  and 
2  his  own.  In  the  2-6.  7,  8.  &c.  these  latter  are  his  children's  numbers,  in  the  regular  succes- 
sion of  descendants  of  the  first  John  Albree. 

The  abbreviations  used  are  b.  for  born;  d.  for  died;  m.  for  married;  unvi.  for  unmarried • 
<i.  a. p.  for  died  sine  prole  (without  issue).  ' 


500  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


8-15 

Samuel  R.,  b.  Oct.  29,  1787  ,*•  d.*Feb.  26,  1738. 

16 

Thomas  R.,  ,.  Apr.  10,  1790;  „   Oct.  2,  1791. 

17 

Joseph,          „  Oct.  27,  1792 ;  „   Apr.  19,  1796. 

18 

Elizabeth,     „  Nov.  14,  1794;  m.  Peter  Hall. 

19 

Samuel,         „  June    1,  1799;  d.  June  23,  1827.  ■ 

20 

Martha,         „  Sep.  10,  1801;  „   Apr.  20,  1802. 

■12 

George  Albree  m.,  Mar,  27,  1828,  Martha  Curing,  of  Pittsburj 

and  had  — 

12-21 

John,               b.  Mar.  14,  1829. 

22 

George  C,       „  Jan.  23,  1831 ;  d.  July    1,  1835. 

23 

William  A.,    „  June    9,  1833  ;   „  Dec.  22,  1836. 

24 

Joseph,             „  Sep.  15,  1835. 

25 

Robert  C,        „  Feb.  21,  1838. 

26 

Elizabeth  P.,  „  Oct.  15,  1840. 

Family  of  Albree. 

We  can  trace  this  Hertford  family  to  Nassau,  in  the  Island  of  New  Providence,  the  capital  of  the 
Bahamas.  In  1672,  the  English  government  sent  Mr.  Collingworth  to  superintend  the  settlement 
of  that  island  and  its  chief  city  by  Englishmen.  The  attempt  succeeded  but  imperfectly  ;  because 
the  coasts  were  infested  with  pirates,  and  the  Spanish  were  moved  by  jealousy  to  check  English 
power.  Mr.  Collingworth,  after  a  few  years,  resigned  his  office  in  despair;  and  the  govern- 
ment appointed  Mr.  Clark  governor  of  the  island,  and  gave  him  means  for  sustaining  himself. 
The  early  English  settlers  were  selected  for  their  energy  and  enterprise ;  and  they  fixed  on 
Nassau  as  their  central  port.  The  place  grew  and  flourished;  but  its  Spanish  enemies  were 
numerous  and  bloodthirsty.  They  made  a  sudden  and  warlike  descent  upon  it,  and  cap- 
tured the  brave  Clark;  and,  in  order  to  show  their  future  intentions,  they  "  roasted  the  Eng- 
lish governor  alive."  In  one  of  these  barbaric,  assaults,  in  1699,  the  unoffending  inhabitants 
were  put  to  the  sword ;  and  two  little  children  were  that  day  made  orphans.  One  was  a  boy, 
named  John  Albree,  who  was  born  in  16SS;  and  the  other  was  his  sister,  Elizabeth,  who  was 
three  years  younger.  The  brother  fled  with  his  sister  to  seek  protection  in  a  Boston  vessel, 
which  was  there  for  cargo.  The  captain  knew  that  the  tragic  story  of  the  children  was  true; 
and,  with  the  characteristic  warmth  of  a  sailor's  heart,  he  took  "the  weeping  orphans  to  his 
arms,  and  offered  to  bring  them  to  Boston  and  provide  for  them.  They  accepted,  but  wished 
to  get  something  from  their  father's  house.  The  captain  went  to  the  house;  but  could  find 
nothing  worth  taking  away,  save  an  old  English  one-day  clock,  which  the  plunderers  had 
spared.  That  he  took;  and  that  clock  is  now  in  possession  of  Misses  Elizabeth  and  Lucy  Ann 
Brooks,  in  Medford,  and  will  keep  time  well,  although  two  hundred  years  old. 

Early  in  the  year  1700,  John  Albree  and  Elizabeth  Albree  arrived  in  Boston,  and  were  ten- 
derly cared  for  by  the  family  of  the  captain  who  brought  them.  They  were  put  to  school,  and 
taught  to  labor;  and,  when  John  was  fourteen  years  old,  he  was  indented  as  an  apprentice, 
for  seven  years,  to  a  weaver  in  Maiden.  His  master  found  him  a' silent  and  thoughtful  boy, 
and  made  him  a  good  weaver.  His  sister,  at  her  own  request,  became  an  inmate  of  his  mas- 
ter's family.  These  children  annually  received,  from  an  unknown  hand  in  New  Providence, 
generous  gifts  of  raw  cotton  and  fruits  This  cotton  had  seeds  in  it;  and  a  gin  was  sent  with 
which  to  clear  out  the  seeds.  After  they  became  of  age,  these  benefactions  ceased.  Their 
father  was  probably  a  cotton-planter ;  hence  the  son's  preference  for  the  trade  of  cotton-weaver. 
When  he  became  of  age,  he  moved  to  Medford.  and  soon  afterwards  purchased  a  small  house, 
which  stood  on  the  spot  now  occupied  by  the  house  of  Mr.  Thatcher  Magoun,  jun.  His  sister 
became  his  housekeeper.  In  May,  1711,  he  married  a  near  relative  of  Governor  Belcher, — 
Miss  Elizabeth  Greene,  of  Boston.  When  his  first  child  was  horn,  he  wished  to  have  it  bap- 
tized, and  named  Joseph  in  honor  of  its  grandfather:  but  not  knowing  whether  he  himself  had 
been  baptized,  either  in  Kngland  or  New  Providence,  he  resolved  to  ask  baptism  for  himself; 
and  on  Sunday,  Sept.  6, 1713,  he  received  the  rite,  and  then  offered  his  son.  After  a  fewyears, 
he  sold  his  house  and  garden,  and  bought  a  farm  of  twenty-two  acres;  which,  by  three  subse- 
quent purchases,  was  enlarged  to  one  hundred  acres.  It  was  much  of  the  farm  now  occupied 
by  Mr.  Peter  C.  Hall.  There  was  a  gristmill  upon  it,  on  the  west  side  of  Purchase  Street, 
contiguous  to  the  land  of  Mr.  B.  L.  Swan.  He  enlarged  the  mill  by  an  addition  of  a  weaver's 
shop.  Here  he  worked,  and  grew  comparatively  rich.  His  grandson  told  us,  that,  in  1785,, 
the  stream  that  fed  the  mill  failed ;  and  that  he  then  "  removed  the  mill  and  shop,  and  filled 
up  the  flume."  The  house  of  John,  the  first  settler,  was  about  ten  rods  north-east  of  his  mill. 
He  was  a  retired  man,  with  many  thoughts  and  few  words:  he  was  a  great  questioner,  and 
remarkable  for  his  high  sense  of  honor.  With  the  English  slowness  to  adopt,  he  united  the 
English  tenacity  in  holding  fast  what  he  had  chosen.  He  was  an  active  friend  of  the  poor, 
especially  of  orphans.  He  tenderly  cherished  his  sister  in  his  family  while  she  lived.  She 
died  unmarried.  He  had  four  children,  —  Joseph,  Elizabeth,  Ruth,  and  Susanna.  Joseph  was 
the  father  of  Mrs.  Jonathan  Brooks;  Ruth  was  the  mother  of  Governor  Brooks;  and  Susanna, 
the  mother  of  Captain  John  Pratt.  The  grandsons  were  called  John,  in  houor  of  their  grand- 
father, John  Albree.  Of  the  fir3t  settler's  descendants,  the  only  ones  who  remained  in  Med- 
ford were  Mrs.  Jonathan  Brooks  and  Governor  Brooks;  and,  through  life,  they  were  drawn 
towards  each  other  bv  the  tenrtercst  ties.  N 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  501 

Collateral  Branches  of  the  Albree  Family. 
N.B.  The  records  of  those  who  married  among  the  Brookses  will  be  found  in  that  family  record. 
1-  5     Susanna  m.  Mr.  Goldthwait,  who  d.  six  months  after,  without  chil- 
dren.    She  m.,  2d,  John  Pratt,  of  Chelsea;  Doc.  C.   1753,  and 
had  — 
Thomas,    b.  m.  Anne  Cheever  ;  has  son  Thomas. 

John,*  ,,    Mary  Tewkshury. 

Elizabeth. 
Susanna,  ,,   John  Green,  of  Chelsea. 

Joanna,  „    Green,  „         ., 

*  Susan,  by  first  marriage.  Children  of  John  and  Mary  (Tewksburv) 
Pratt  are  John,  Mary,  George,  Eliza,  Sarah  Tewksbury,  Caroline,  Eleanor, 
James,  Charlotte  Albree,  and  William  Touro. 

8-18     Elizabeth  Albree  m.  Peter  Hall,  Jan.  2,  1817.     She  d.  Jan.  8, 
1853.     Her  children  were  — 
Martha,         b.  June    4,  1818  ;  m.  Alonzo  Rust,  Mar.  31,  1836. 
Charles  B.,   „  Oct.    15,1820;    „    Roxalina  Branch,  Feb.  10, 1846. 
Samuel  A.,  „  May  29,  1823. 
Elizabeth,     „  Nov.  24,  1825. 
Mary  Jane,  „  Aug.    1,  1828. 
Judith,  „  Feb.     2,  1831. 

Lucv  Ann,  „  June  22,  1833. 
George  W.,  „  Apr.    2,  1838. 


ANGIER,  SAMUEL,  m.  Abigail  Watson,  Apr.  29,  1762. 
John  Angier  m.  Abby  S.  Adams. 
Luther     ,,      ,,    Lydia  Farley. 


BALLARD,  MARY,  dau.  of  Joseph  and  Marv  B.,  d.  Sept.  16, 

1716. 
Samuel,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Ballard,  b.  Dec.  27,  1718;  d. 

Aug.  10,  1721. 


BIRDUE,  PHILIP,  m.  Ann  Soloman,  Oct.  7,  1704. 


1  BISHOP,  THOMAS,  of  Ipswich,  merchant,  Rep.  1666  ;  d.  Feb.  7, 
1671,  leaving  widow,  Margaret.     Children:  — 

1-  2  Samuel. 

3  John. 

4  Thomas. 

5  Job. 

6  Nathaniel. 

-  2  Samuel  Bishop  m.  Hester ;  d.  March,  1681  ;  and  had,  inter 

alios,  — 

2-  7     Dr.  John  Bishop,  moved  from  Bradford  to  Medford,  Sept.  20,  1685, 

and  dird  1739.     He  m.  Sarah ,  and  had  — 

■  8  John  Bishop,  b".  1722,  who  m.  Abigail,  dau.  of  Dr.  Simon  Tufts, 

Dec.  7,  1752.     He.  d.  1791,  leaving  — 
8-  9     Abigail,  b.  Oct.    5,  1753;    m.  Dr.  James  Putnam,  of  Danvers, 
Nov.  12,  1786. 
10     John,      b.  Nov.  20,  1755. 

-10  John  Bishop  m.  Lydia  Holmes,  dau.  of  Nathaniel  and  Rebecca 

(Goodwill)  Holmes,  who  d.  Mar.   28,   1807,  aged  48.      Chil- 
dren :  — 


502  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

10-11  Lydin,         b.  1784 ;  m.  N.  Parsons ;  and  d.  Oct.  4,  1805. 

12  Rebecca,     „    Oct.     2,  1785 ;  d.   Oct.  26,  1807. 

13  John,  „  Aug.    7,1787;,,    Sept.  7,  1830. 
.      14  Nathaniel,  „  1790. 

15  Elizabeth,  „  Jan.     1,  1791. 

16  William,     „  Mar.         1794  ;  „   Nov.  27,  1812. 

10-14  Nathaniel  Bishop  m.  Mary  S.  Farrar ;  and  died  Feb.  22,  1850. 
He  had  — 

14-17  John. 

18  Lydia  H.  m.  Samuel  H.  Jones,  of  Phil. 

19  Mary  P. 

20  Nathaniel,  b.  1835 ;  d.  1836. 

21  Nathaniel. 

22  Henrietta  B. 

23  Heber. 

24  Maria  Josephine. 

14-17  John  Bishop  m.  Elinor,  dau.  of  Samuel  Sweetser,  of  Brooklyn, 
N.Y.,  who  d.  Aug.  26,  1852,  aged  26.     Children  :  — 

17-25  Edward  Francis,  b.  1851 ;  d.  1851. 

26  Elinor  S. 

Sarah  Bishop  m.  Benjamin  Leathe,  Apr.  26,  1738. 


1  BLANCHARD,  GEORGE,  m.  Sarah ;  and  d.  March  18, 

1700,  aged  84.     He  had  — 
Sarah,  b.  Apr.  23,  1690. 
Mercy,  „  June  11,  1693. 

2  Joseph  Blanchard  m.  Elizabeth ,  and  had  — 

Kezia,     b.  July     3,  1704. 

Joanna,  „  May  25,  1711. 

Concerning  the  above,  I  can  only  add  the  following  extracts  of  wills  on  file 
at  East  Cambridge:  Thomas  Blanchard,  of  Charlestown,  will  dated  16,  3  mo., 
1654,  mentions  wife  Mary,  sons  Nathaniel,  Samuel,  and  George,  and  his  son 
Joseph. 

John  Blanchard,  of  Dunstable,  March  13,  1693,  mentions  wife  Hannah, 
sons  Benjamin,  Joseph,  James,  Thomas,  and  Nathaniel;  and  daughters  Han- 
nah Reed,  Hannah  Parish,  Sarah,  and  Mary. 

3  Aaron  Blanchard  m.  Sarah ,  and  had  — 

3-  4     Sarah,     b.  July  30,  1717. 

5  Sarah,     „  Dec.  14,  1719;  m.  James  Kettell,  Apr.  10,  1740. 

6  Aaron,    „  May  21,  1722. 

7  Mary,      „  Feb.  22,  1724. 

8  Moses,     „  Jan.     5,  1726. 

9  Francis,  „  Sept.  14,  1727. 
10  John,       „  Dec.    4,  1728. 

He  died  September,  1769. 


and 


6 

Aaron  Blanchard,  jun.,  m.  Rebecca  Hall,  Nov.  13, 

had  — 

6-11 

Aaron,        b.  Mar.  15,  1746  ;  d.  March  21,  1746. 

12 

Rebecca,     „  Nov.  11,  1749. 

His  wife  dying,  Nov.   13,   1749,  he  m.,  2d,  Tabitha 

had  — 

6-13 

Aaron,        b.  Sept.    2,  1751. 

14 

Tabitha,      „  May  21,  1753. 

15 

Andrew,     „  July  21,  1754. 

16 

Rebecca,     „  Nov.    5,  1755. 

17 

Sarah,         „  Mar.  25,  1757. 

REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  503 


18  Joanna,       b.  Feb.  26,  1759. 

19  John,  „  Apr.  21,  1761. 

20  Stephen,     „  July     1,  1763. 

21  David,         „  Sept.  21,  1765. 

22  Benjamin,  ,.  Sept.    8.  1770. 

She  d.  July  31,  1775. 

6-15  Andrew  Blaxchard  m.  Mary  Waters,  Sept.  14,  1786,  and  had  — 

15-23  Andrew,  b.  oept.    2,  1787. 

24  Mary,  „  Oct.   27,  1789. 

25  Sarah  H.,  „  Apr.  26,  1792. 

26  Abraham  W.,  „  Nov.  10,  1794. 

27  James,  „  Apr.  13,  1797. 

28  Martha,  „  Dec.     4,  1799. 

29  Emily,  „  Apr.     5,  1802. 

30  Roxana,  „  Aug.  14,  1808. 

6-19  J  hx  Blaxchard  m.  Rebecca  Tufts,  Sept.  30,  1784,  who  d.  Nov. 
22.  1821,  aged  62  ;  and  had  — 

19-31  Eebecca,       b.  Aug.  29,  1784. 

32  AnstersD.,  „  May  24,  1786. 

33  John,  „  May  21,  1788. 

34  Aaron,  „  Feb.     7,  1790. 

35  Sarah,  „  Jan.         1792. 

36  John,  „  Apr.    3,  1794. 

37  Gilbert,         „  Dec.  21,  1795. 

6-20  Stephex  Blaxchard  m.  Elizabeth ,  and  had  — 

20-38  Elizabeth,  b.  Jan.   14,  1789. 

39  Gair,  „  Apr.  15,  )790. 

40  Hezekiah  Blaxchard  m.  Susanna ,  and  had  — 

40-41  Susanna,    b.  Sept.  15,  1755;  d.  July  16,  1790. 

42  Hannah,     „  Feb.     1,  1787;  „  Aug.  17,  1797. 

43  Hezekiah,  „  Sept.    3,  1758. 

44  Winifred,  „  May     8,  1760;  „  Jan.  15,  1790. 

45  Mary,  „  Sept.    8,  1761. 

46  Elizabeth,  „  Nov.  13,  1762. 

His  wife  dying  Jan.  1, 1763,  aged  31,  he  m.,  2d,  Sarah ,  and 

had  — 

47  Andrew,  b.  July  27,  1764 ;  d.  Sept.  19,  1766. 

His  wife  d.  Nov.  28,  1792.     He  d.  Aug.  24,  1803,  aged  76. 

2,  1788,  and  had  — 


48 

Caleb  Blaxchard  m.  Lucy 

Hall, 

Mar 

48-48£  Lucy, 

b.  July 

28, 

1788. 

49 

Caleb, 

„  Apr. 

10, 

1790. 

50 

David, 

„  Oct. 

28, 

1792. 

51 

Sarah, 

„  June 

25, 

1795. 

52 

Mary, 

,,  Aug. 

16, 

1797. 

53 

Hannah, 

„  July 

19, 

1799. 

54  Ebexezer  Blaxchard  m.  Mary  Leathe,  Dec.  1,  1766,  and  had  — 

54-55     William,   b.  Apr.    4,  1767. 
56     Ebenezer,  „  Feb.  22,  1769. 

57  Samuel  Blaxchard,  jun.,  of  Maiden,  m.  Sarah  Cutter,  Apr.  12, 

1745,  and  had  — 
57-58     Ebenezer,  b.  Jan.  2,  1766. 

Andrew  Blanchard,  d.  1815. 

Ebenezer  „  „  Jan.  21,  1772,  aged  32. 

Ebenezer  „  „  Dec.  27,  1771,     „       3. 


504  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


Samuel  )  Blanchard  d.  Sept.  14,  1800,  aged  1,  c. 
Eunice  V         „  „  Sept.  18,  1800,     „      1,  e. 

Hannah)         „  „  Feb.  18,  1803.    „      9  mo. 

Hezekiah         „  „  1803. 

Joseph  „  „  Oct.   24,  1694,     „     43. 

Rebecca  „  „  Dec.  28,  1839,     „     55. 


Aaron  Blanchard,  jun.,  of  Maiden,  m.  Sar.  Cutter,  Apr.  12,  1745. 
Sarah  „  m.  Joseph  Souther,  Dec.  22,  1746. 

Hannah  „  ,,    Jedidiah  Leathe,  of  Ch.,  Jan.  16,  1754. 


■  2 

Mary, 

b.  May 

8, 

1687; 

3 

Sarah, 

„  Sept. 

8, 

1690; 

4 

Ruth, 

,,  Nov. 

29, 

1692; 

5 

John, 

„  Feb. 

11. 

1694. 

6 

Jonathan, 

„  Dec. 

18, 

1696. 

7 

Sarah, 

„  Mar. 

19, 

1699. 

8 

Samuel, 

,,  Aug. 

29, 

1700. 

9 

Susanna, 

„  Dec. 

23, 

1702; 

10 

Abigail, 

„   Apr. 

29, 

1704; 

11 

Hannah, 

„  Jan. 

31, 

1706. 

12 

Stephen, 

„  Sept. 

16, 

1707. 

L3 

Simon, 

„  Oct. 

3, 

1709. 

BRADS  HAW,  JOHN,  son   of  Humphrey  and  Patience  B,  of 
Cambridge,  b.  June  24,  1655,  was  one  of  the  earliest  recorded 

tax  payers.     He  m.  Mary ;  and  d.  Mar.  19,  1745,  aged  89. 

His  wife  died  April  18,  1758,  a;jed  90,  leaving  — 
'   aged  25. 

Nov.  27,  1690. 
.  Benjamin  Willis,  Feb.  10,  1714. 


B.  Scolly,  of  Boat.,  Feb.  17,  1731. 
Jona.  Watson,  Jan.  16,  1729. 


1-  5  John  Bradshaw  m.  Mercv  Tufts,  Mar.  14,  1718,  and  had^ 

5-14  John.  b.  Feb.    13,  1719. 

15  Mercv,        „  Dec.  27,  1721 ;  m.  Joseph  Newell,  Feb.  21,  1740. 

16  Elizabeth,  „  Oct.    19,  1722.  « 

17  Nathan,      „  Jan.     4,  1724. 

18  Cotton,       „  Dec.  15,  1725;  d.  Aug.  13,  1765. 

19  Ruth,  „  Dec.  22,  1727. 

20  Anna,         „  Apr.    4,  1730. 

21  Sarah,         „  May     1,  1734. 

22  Joshua,       „  July     6,  1736. 

23  Peter,  „  May     6,  1738. 

24  Rebecca,     „  Feb.     6,  1744. 

1-  6  Jonathan  Bradshaw  m.  Mary  Watson,  Apr.  17,  1722.     He  was 
a  deacon  of  the  church  in  1723.     He  had  — 

6-25  Jonathan,  b.  Feb.   13,  1723. 

26  Abraham,  „  Oct.    14,  1724. 

27  Mary,         „  May  15,  1729. 

28  Anna,         „  Apr.    4,  1730. 

29  William,    „  Aug.  14,  1733. 

30  Jonathan,  „  Apr.  10,  1735. 

31  Rebecca,     „  Jan.   17,  1737. 

32  Susanna,    „  May  24,  1742. 

33  Elizabeth,  „  Jan.  20,  1745. 

1-  8  Samuel  Bradshaw  m.  Sarah ,  and  had  — 

8-34     Samuel,    b.  July  18,  1737. 

35  William,  „  Apr.  20,  1739. 

36  Sarah,       „  Aug.  31,  1740. 

37  Hannah,  „  Mar.  10,  1742. 


1-12  Stephen  Bradshaw  m.  Mary ,  and  had 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  505 


12-38  Mary,         b.  Feb.   24,  1739. 

39  Susanna,      „  July  12,  1741. 

40  Thomas,       „  July     S,  1743. 

41  Abigail,       „  Mar.  25,  1746. 

42  John,  „  July  16,  1748  ;  d.  July  16,  1748. 

43  Sarah,  „  Jan.  27,  1750;  „  May  10,  1750. 

44  John,  „  Jan.  30,  1751. 

45  Andrew,     „  Feb.  26,  1753. 

46  Henrv,        „  Sept.  13,  1754. 

47  Ruth,  „  Feb.     5,  1757. 

48  Zechariah,  „  Sept.  27,  1759;  „  Oct.  16,  1759. 

49  Uriah,  „  July  16,  1760;  „  Sept.  10.1760. 

Stephen  Bradshaw,  d.  Dec.  21,  1767. 

Mary,  his  widow,     „  Jan.  12,  1776",  aged  58. 

1-13  Simon  Bradshaw  m.  Marv  ■ ,  and  had  — 

13-50  Simon,       b.  Mar.     1,  1739. 

51  Isaac,  „  Sept.  26,  1740  ;  d.  Dec.  1741. 

52  Isaac,  „  Dec.  10,  1743;  „  Feb..  14,  1746. 

53  Eleazer,     „  Feb.  11,  17-Jo. 

54  Mary  „  Sept.  24,  J  747. 

55  Catharine,,,  July  11,  1749;  „  Sept.  15,  1749. 

Mary,  widow  of  Simon,  „  July  26,  1764. 

Thomas  Brads»aw  (perhaps  No.  40)  m.  Mary  Tufts,  Noy.  26, 
1772,  and  hid  — 

56  Thomas,  b.  Apr.  17,  1773. 

N.B.  —He  perhaps  m.,  2d,  Martha ,  who  d.  July  6,  1808, 

and  had  as  below.     He  d.  Sept.  1,  1801. 

57  Marths,    b.  1775  ;„  Aug.  11,  1778. 

58  Sussnna,  „  Aug.    3,  1778. 

59  Join,        „  June    3,  1786. 

Rebecca  Bradshaw  m.  Wm.*Hall,  jun.,  Feb.  7,  1753. 

Mercy  „  „  Joseph  Ellis,  of  Dedham,  May  13,  1756. 

„  Nathaniel  Hall,  Apr.  2,  1761. 

„  Joseph  Thompson,  Dec.  30,  1718. 

„  Enoch  Greenleaf,  Feb.  17,  1726. 

„  Jonathan  Watson,  Jan.  16,  1729. 

„  John  Muzzy,  July  12,  1709. 

„  Elizabeth  Lampson,  June  5,  1761. 

„  Jonathan  Patten,  Apr.  14,  1762. 

„  M.  Mansfield,  Nov.  22,  1763.    (OfAlsbury.) 

„  Timothy  Newhall,  Nov.  1,  1764. 

„  Andrew  Floyd,  of  Roxbury,  Oct.  31,  1765. 

„  Hannah  Johnson,  July  12,  1770. 

„  Martha  Tufts,  Nov.  26,  1772. 

„  N.  Ordway,  of  Chelmsford,  Nov.  22,  1733. 

d.  Oct.  22,  1775. 


Mary 

Sarah 

Hannah 

Abigail 

Elizabeth 

William 

Susanna 

Stephen 

Susanna 

Elizabeth 

Simon 

Thomas 

Patience 

Sarah 


1  BRAD  STREET,  JOHN,  son  of  Rev.  Simon  B.,  of  New  London, 

and  grandson  of  Gov.  Bradstreet,  b.  Nov.  3,  1676 ;  m.  Mercy 
Wade,  Oct.  9,  1699,  and  had  — 

1-  2     Dudley,    b.  Oct.  26,  1701. 

3  Ann,  „  July    7,  1704. 

4  Lucy,        ,,  May  30,  1706. 

5  Patience,  „  Feb:  13,  1712. 

6  Mercy,  d.  Oct.  9,  1712. 

64 


506  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


Dudley   Bradstreet,  of  Boston,  probably  tbe  son  of  John,  as 
above,  m.  Sarah  Peirce,  of  Medford,  Aug.  18,  1724. 


1  BROOKS,  THOMAS,  the  first  of  the  name  in  New  England, 

came,  it  is  supposed,  from  Suffolk,  England,  and  settled  in 
Watertown,  where  he  had  a  lot  assigned  him,  on  the  main  road, 
in  1631.  He  was  made  a  freeman  in  1636  ;  and,  two  years 
afterwards,  his  name,  which  had  disap;  eared  from  the  "Water- 
town  records,  is  to  be  seen  on  those  of  Concord,  wheie  he  was 
constable  in  1638.  He  settled  in  this  latter  town,  and  owned 
large  estates  there ;  in  consequence,  he  was  appointed  to  the 
,  various  town-offices.  In  1660,  he,  with  his  son-in-law,  Timothy 
Wheeler,  bought  tour  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Medford.  for  four 
hundred  and  tout  pounds  sterling,  which  he  owned  at  the  time  of 
his  death.  His  fahaa  in  Medford  was  bought  of  Edward  Collins, 
and  thus  probably  a  part  of  the  great  Cradock  estate.  He  sold  his 
farm  in  Concord,  Oct.  22,  1664;  and  he  died  there,  May  21, 

1667.     His  wife-was  Graee ,  who  died  May  12,  1664.    His 

children  were  — 

1-2     Joshua,      b.  freeman,  1652  ;  m.  Han.  Mason,  of  Watertown. 

3  Caleb,        „   1632;         „         1654. 

4  Gershom,  „         1672;    „  Hannah  Eckles. 

5  Mary,  „  Tim.  Wheeler,  of  Concord. 

(According  to  Mr.  Shattuck,  probably  ithers.) 
1-  3  Caleb  Brooks  lived  at  Concord  until  167&.    He  m.,  successively, 

the  two  daus.  of  Thomas  Atkinson;  via.,  Susannah,  Apr.  10, 
1660 ;  2d,  Hannah.  He  removed  to  Medford,  where  he  inhe- 
rited some  land  lying  east  from  the  Wear  Bi\dge.  His  house 
was  situated  about  mid- way  between  the  bridge  ?nd  foe  Lowell 
Railroad,  immediately  in  front  of  the  Woburn  Road.  It  was  torn 
down,  in  1779,  by  his  great-grandson,  Samuel.  He  died  July 
29,  1696,  aged  64  ;  and  his  second  wife,  Hannah,  died  Mai.  10, 
1702,  aged  about  70.  His  children  were,  by  his  first  wife,  — 
3-  6     Susannah,  b.  Dec.  27,  1661 ;    d.  unm.,  Dec.  23,  1686. 

7  Mary,         „  Nov.  18,  1663 ;    „  young. 

8  Mary,  m.  Nathaniel  Ball.  • 

9  Rebecca,  d.  unm. 

10  Sarah,  m.  Philemon  Russell,  Oct.  18,  1705. 

And,  by  his  second  wife,  — 

11  Ebenezer,  b.  Feb.  24,  1670. 

12  Samuel,     „  Sept.    1,  1672. 

3-11  Ebenezer  Brooks  m.  Abigail,  dau.  of  Dr.  Thomas  Boylston,  of 

Brookline.     They  joined  the  church,   1712.      He  d.  Feb.   11, 
1743;    his  wife  d.  May  26,   1756,  aged   82.      Their   children 
were  — 
11-13     Caleb,        b.  July    8,  1694. 

14  Ebenezer,  „  May  23,  1698. 

15  Thomas,    „  Apr.  18,  1705;  d.  unm.  Nov.  14,  1784. 

16  Samuel,     „  Feb.     8,  1710. 

17  Abigail,     „  Oct.     6,1699;  m.  Thomas  Oakes. 

18  Hannah,    „  Apr.  15,1701;    „  Nathaniel  Cheever. 

19  Mary,         „  Jan.   19,  1704;  d.   Sept.  3,  1704. 

20  Rebecca,    „  July  24,  1706  ;  m.  Samuel  Pratt,  Dec.  2,  1725. 

3-12  Samuel  Br>oks  m.  Sarah  Boylston  (sister  of  his  brother's  wife), 

and  lived  in  Medford,  nearly  opposite  the  site  of  the  house  since 
occupied  by  his  descendant,  Peter  C.  Brooks.     He  died  July  3, 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  507 


1733.     His  wife  died  Oct.  16,  1736,  aged  56.     Their  children 
were  — 
12-21     Samuel,  b.  Sept.    3,  1700. 

22     Sarah,     ,,  Apr.  17,  1702;  m.  Rev.  Shearjashub  Brown,  of  Scitu- 
ate,  Feb.  12,  1736. 

-13  Caleb  Brooks,  m.,  2d,  Ruth  Albree,  Mar.  1,  1750,  by  whom  he 
had  — 

13-23  Theodore,     b.    Jan.     2,  1751. 

24  John,  bap.  May  31,  1752;  afterwards  Governor  of  this  State. 

25  Joseph,  d.  young. 

26  Elizabeth,    „    June  26,  1757  ;  in.  Rev.  Jacob  Burnap,  1776. 

27  Hannah,       „    Feb.  12,  1760  ;    „  Francis  Burns,  1794. 

Captain  Caleb  Brooks,  so  called,  m.,  1st,  Mary  Wyer,  and  had  by  her  five 
sons  and  five  daughters.  His  homestead  was  what  is  now  called  the  Bosquet 
House.    He  d.  Nov.  21,  1766. 

-21  Samuel  Brooks  m.  Mary  Boutwell,  of  Reading,    who   brought 

with  her  a  large  landed  property  in  that  town.  His  house  is  still 
standing,  about  thirty  rods  above  his  father's.  His  will  proves 
him  to  have  been  one  of  the  few  slaveholders  in  the  town.  He 
d.  July  5,  1768.  His  wife  d.  May  25,  1772,  aged  74.  Their 
children  were  — 
21-28     Mary,        bap.  Jan.      1,  1728  ;  m.  William  Whitmore. 

29  Samuel,        b.    Aug.  24,  1729. 

30  Thomas,       „    Jan.      6,  1732. 

31  Edward,       „    Nov.     4,  1733. 

32  Jonathan,     „    Aug.  17,  1735,  d.  in  college,  1750. 

-24  John  Brooks  (Governor  of  Massachusetts)  m.  Lucy  Smith,  of 

Reading,  in  1774,  who  d.  Sept.  26,    1791,  aged  38.     He  died 
March  1,  1825.     Their  children  were  :  — 
24-33     Lucy,  b.  June  16,  1775  ;  m.  Rev.  O'Kill  Stuart. 

34  Alexanders.,  „  Oct.   19,  1781;  killed  by  explosion  of  a  steam- 

boat, 1836. 

35  John,  „  May  20,  1783  ;  fell  at  the  battle  of  Lake  Erie, 

Sept.  10,  1813. 

-30  Thomas  Brooks  m.,  1st,  Anna  Hall,  Feb.  27,  1755,  who  d.  Aug. 

28,  1757  ;  2d,  Mercy  Tufts,  Dec.  29,  1762.  He  died  Mar.  7, 
1799.  His  second  wife  died  Aug.  26,  1813,  aged  71.  His  chil- 
dren were,  by  first  wife,  — 

30-36    Nancy,         b.  Apr.     6,  1757 ;  m.  Dr.  Stevens. 
By  his  second  :  — 


37 

Mercy, 

b.  Sept.   3, 

1763; 

m.  Cotton  Tufts,  of  Weymouth. 

38 

Jonathan, 

„  Oct.   25, 

1765; 

d.  Mar.  18,  1847. 

39 

Samuel, 

„  young. 

4  0 

Samuel, 

„   Oct.   23, 

1768; 

lost  at  sea. 

41 

Isaac, 

d.  young. 

42 

William, 

„      „ 

43 

Simon, 

„   Sept.    2, 

1772 

;  „   1805. 

44 

Lucy, 

„   young. 

45 

Abigail, 

n      » 

16 

Isaac, 

„  June    3. 

1776; 

„  Oct.  2,  1819.           jf 
lives  at  Biattleboro',  Vt. 

47 

William  S. 

,  „  Mar.    5, 

1781  ; 

18 

Thomas, 

„  Jan.  30, 

1783; 

d.  at  sea,  Jan.  6,  1810. 

49 

Edward 

„   June  18, 

1786; 

„  at  N.  Orleans,  1817. 

50 

James, 

„  Feb.     7, 

1788; 

„    „  Havana,  1809. 

Edward  Brooks  m  Abigail,  dau.  of  Rev.  John  Brown,  of  Haver- 
hill. He  grad.  H.  C,  17)7,  where  he  was  librarian  for  a  short 
time.   He  was  chaplain  on  board  the  frigate  "  Hancock  "  ii  1777  ; 


508  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

but,  returning  to  Medford,  died  there,  May  6,  1781.     His  wife 
died  Nov.  29,  1800,  aged  69.     She  was,  through  her  mother,  a 
lineal  descendant  of  the  famous  Puritan  divine,  John  Cotton. 
Their  children  were  — 
31-51     Cotton  Brown,  b.  July  20,  1765  ;  d.  May,  12,  1834. 

52  Peter  Chardon,  „  Jan.     6,  1767  ;  „  Jan.  1,  1849. 

53  Mary,  „  Jan.  27,  1769  ;  m.  Samuel  Gray,  of  Salem. 

54  Joanna  C,  „  May  18,  1772  ;    „  Nathl.  Hall,  Nov.  26,  1793. 

30-38  Jonathan  Brooks   m.  Elizabeth  Albree,  Sept.   26,   1791 ;   died 

Mar.  18,  1847.     His  wife  d.  Mar.  31,   1826,  aged  58.     Their 
children  were  — 
38-55     Samuel  Reeves,  b.  Feb.     1,  1793  ;  m.  Frances  Olney,  1842. 

56  Charles,  „  Oct.  30,  1795. 

57  Elizabeth. 

58  Alfred,  „  Lydia  Warren,  1833. 

59  Lucy  Ann. 

31-52  Peter  Chardon  Brooks  m.  Nancy  Gorham,  and  had->- 

52-60  Edward,  b.  Dec.  22,  1792. 

61  Gorham,  „  Feb.   10,1795;  d.  Sept.  10,  1855. 

62  Peter  C,  „  July     4,  1796  ;  „   1798. 

63  Ann  G.,  „  Feb.   19,  1797. 

64  Peter  C,  „  Aug.  26,  1798. 

65  Sidney,  „  Oct.     7,  1799. 

66  Charlotte  Gray,  „  Nov.    4,  1800. 

67  Ward  Chipman,  „  Apr.  21,  1804  ;  „   1828. 

68  Abigail  B.,  „  Jan.    22,  1806  ;  „  young. 

69  Henry,  „  Feb.     2,  1807 ;  „  Sept.  2,  1833. 

70  Abigail  B.,  „  Apr.  25,  1808. 

71  Horatio,  „  Sept.  20,  1809  ;  „   1843. 

72  Octavius,  „  Oct.  27,1813;  „   1822. 

30-46  Isaac  Brooks  m.  Mary  Austin,  and  had  — 

46-73     Margaret,  m.  Wm.  Brigham,  June  11,  1840. 

74     Isaac  Austin,  b.  Apr.  13,  1824. 

30-47  William  S.  Brooks  m.  Eleanor  Forman,  and  had  — 

47-75  Ellen  Malvina. 
William. 

76  Horace,  m.  Mary  Emerson,  and  has  three  children. 

77  George. 

78  Mary  E.,  „  Frank  Goodhue. 

79  Francis. 

80  Lucy  Tarbell,  „  Cabot. 

38-56  Charles  Brooks,  author  of  this  history,  m.  Cecilia  Williams, 

June  27,  1827,  who  d.  Mar.   13,   1837,  aged  35.     He  m.,  2d, 
Charlotte  Ann  Haven  Lord,  Aug.  1,  1839.     Has  by  first  wife  — 
56-81     Elizabeth  Albree. 

Charles  John,  d.  June  8,  1833,  aged  1  year. 
82     Charles  Wolcott,  b.  Oct.  1,  1833. 

46-74  Isaac  Austin  Brooks  m.  Sarah  W.  Hill,  April  25,  1846,  and  had  — 

74-83     Frederic  Corawell,  b.  Feb.   16,  1847. 

84  'Alfred  Austin,         „  Sept.    1,  1848. 

85  Mary  Isabel  „  Apr.  21,  1852. 

86  Edward  Corliss,       „  Jan.    22,  1854. 

13-26  Elizabeth  Brooks  m.  Rev.  Jacob  Burnap,  of  Merrimac,  1776,  and 

had  — 


KEGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  509 

26-87     Horatio  G.,b.  Jan.      4,1778. 


88 

Elizabeth, 

1779; 

d.  1810. 

89 

Ruth, 

M 

1780; 

„  Nov- 

27,  1806. 

90 

Hannah 

H 

1781. 

91 

Rebecca, 

,,  May 

14,  17S4. 

92 

Abigail, 

n 

1785; 

,,  Aug. 

26,  1808, 

93 

John, 

() 

17S8; 

1827. 

94 

Jacob, 

„  Feb. 

17,  1790. 

96 

Susan, 

„  Nov. 

14,  1791. 

96 

Caleb  B., 

„  Feb. 

17,  1794. 

97 

Francis, 

„  Jan. 

24,  1796. 

98 

Lucy, 

„   Oct. 

2,  1797; 

„ 

1842, 

99 

George  W., 

,,  Nov. 

30,  1802. 

BROWN,  JOHN,  m.  Anna  Tufo,  June  24,  1700. 


1  CHAD  WICK,  JOSEPH,  had  by  wife  Ruth  — 

1-  2     Joseph,  b.  July  11,  1714. 
3     Ruth,     „  Oct.   21,  1716. 


CHUBB,  SARAH,  dau.  of  William  and  Sarah   O,  b.  Feb.  16, 
1718. 


1  CLARK,  JOHN,  m  Mary ,  and  had  — 

I-  2  John,  >      v    T  i       o    i--o 

3  Mary,  J      b'  Jul?    8'  1'°2' 

4  Peter,         „  Jan.   27,  1755. 

5  Elizabeth,,,      „        4,  1761. 

Elizabeth  Clark  m.  Samuel  Page,  jun.,  Mar.  25,  1747. 
Martha  „        „    N.  Mason,  of  Watertown,  July  6,  1756. 


CLEAVELAND,   ABIGAIL,   dau.   of  Aaron  and  Abigail   C. 
b.  May  10,  1706. 


1  CLOUGH,  JOHN,  b.  in  Marblehead,  1790;  moved  to  Medford, 

1816 ;  m.,  1820,  Mary  Ann  D.  Tainter,  dau.  of  Elisha  L. 
Tainter,  and  had  — 

1-  2     Mary  Ann. 

3  Franklin  W.,  d.  s.p. 

4  Sarah  F.,  d.  s.  p. 

5  John  Henry,  d.  s.  p. 

6  Emily. 

CRADOCK,  MATTHEW,  the  founder  of  Medford,  was  descended  from  an  old  English  family, 
whose  pedigree  is  printed  in  the  N.  E.  His.  and  Gen.  Register  for  April,  1855.  '  An  abstract  is 
here  given :  — 

John  Cradock,  living  1446.  He  fled  to  France  for  killing  a  man :  but.  receiving  a  pardon, 
returned  and  settled  at  Stafford,  where  he  m.  Jane,  dau.  of  Richard  Needham,  of  Dorrington. 
His  son  John  d.  11  Ed.  IV,  (1471),  and  had  bv  wife  — dau.  of  R.  Middleton  —  Richard  Cradock, 
merchant  of  the  Staple,  who  d.  in  London,  1500.  He  m.  Alice,  dau.  of  John  Dorrington,  and 
had,  inter  alios,  Thomas,  who  d.  1530.  This  Thomas  was  father  of  Thomas,  who  m.  Emma, 
dau.  of  Nicholas  Meverall,  and  had  William  of  Caermarthen,  1597.  William  m.  Timothea,  dau. 
of  M.  Wotten,  and  had,  with  others,  Francis,  (who  lived  at  Wickham  Brook,  and  left  issue, 
Walter,  who  d.  5.  p.,)  and  Mathew,  b.  15G3.  who  m.  Dorothy  Greenway .  This  Mathew  had  Ma- 
thew.  our  patron,  and  Samuel,  clerk  at  Thistleton.  co.  Rutland.    Mathew  m.,  1st,  Damaris,  dau. 


510  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


of  Richard  Winne,  by  whom  he  had  Damaris,  bap.  Nov.  1,  1623;  and,  2d,  Rebecca,  dau.  of 
Thomas  Jordan,  of  London,  and  had  — 

Mathew,  bap.   June    3,  1632. 

Thomas,      ,,      Feb.  10,  1634. 

Mary,  „     Nov  27,  1637. 

It  is  my  belief  that  these  children  all  d.  young,  not  being  mentioned  in  his  will.  There  was 
a  George  Oradock,  of  Boston,  who  is  said  by  Huchinson  to  have  been  a  grandson  of  the 
governor.  However,  as  the-  historian  seems  to  be  in  error  in  the  same  paragraph  in  confusing 
the  brother  and  nephew  of  Mathew,  I  prefer  the  authority  of  the  English  heralds,  who  men- 
tion no  descendants  of  the  governor'.  Samuel,  the  brother  of  Mathew,  had  Samuel,  Mathew, 
and  Zachary  ;  of  whom  Samuel  was  rector  of  North  Cadbury,  and  d.  Oct.  7,  1706,  aged  86.  On 
the  death  of  his  father's  cousin,  he  succeeded  to  the  estate  at  Wickham  Rrook,  which  remained 
in  the  possession  of  his  descendants.  He  published  a  work  called  "  Knowledge  and  Practice; 
or  a  Plain  Discourse  of  the  Chief  Things  necessary  to  be  known,  believed,  and  practised  ill 
order  to  Salvation.  Useful  for  private  families."  I  have  a  copy  of  the  third  edition,  printed 
in  London,  1673.  It  is  a  very  curious  and  learned  collection  of  texts  and  comments.  There  is 
also  a  funeral  sermon  extant,  preached  on  his  death  by  Samuel  Bury,  printed  in  1707.  There 
were  several  other  families  of  this  name:  one  settled  at  Cradock  Hall,  in  Richmond,  co.  York; 
another  at  Husband's  Bosworth ;  another  at  Glanmorganshire  (descended  from  Caradoc  ap  Ynir 
ap  Ivor,  lord  of  Dyfed);  and  a  fourth  is  recorded  in  Burke's  "Commoners."  The  name  is  a 
very  ancient  one,  and  occurs  in  the  ballads  concerning  King  Arthur.    [See  Percy's  "  Reliques." 


CUMMINGS,  MARY,  dau.  of  Abraham  and  Mary  C,  b.  Feb.  19, 

1717. 


CURTIS,  THOMAS  (1),  came  from  York  with  his  three  brothers, 
Richard,  John,  and  William,  to  Scituate,  before  1648.  {Vide 
Deane's  "History  of  Scituate.")  He  had  a  son,  Samuel,  b. 
1659,  who  had  a  son,  Benjamin  (2),  b.  1699,  who  m.  Rebecca 
House,  1723,  and  had  several  children.  Of  these,  Elijah  (3),  b. 
1740,  m.  Abigail  Sole,  1756,  and  lived  on  Curtis's  Hill,  in  Scitu- 
ate. By  his  second  wife,  Zeporah  Randall,  he  had  two  sons, 
Nehemiah  and  James  (4). 

3-  4  James  Curtis,  b.   1779,  m.  Desire  Otis,  1802,  and  had  several 

children,  one  of  whom  was  — 

4-  5     James  O.,  b.  1804,  at  Scituate.     He  moved  to  Medford  in  1820, 

where  he  served  an  apprenticeship  with  Thatcher  Magoun,  Esq., 
and  has  since  been  engaged  in  ship-building.  He  m.  Adeline 
Wait  in  1826,  and  had  — 

5-  6     George,  b.  1827. 
7    Mary  Genette,  „  1831. 


1-  2 


DEXTER,  PAUI 

/,  of  Medford,  m. 

Elizabeth ,  and  had  — 

•  2 

Timothy,   b.  Oct. 

7,  1767. 

3 

Elizabeth,  „  Dec. 

16,  1769. 

4 

Sarah,        „  May 

2,  1771. 

5 

Samuel,      „  Nov. 

9,  1772. 

6 

Anson,       „  Apr. 

30,  1778. 

Timothy  Dexter 

m.  Ruth ,  and  had  — 

■  7 

Timothy,                b 

.  Dec.    4,  1794  ; 

d.   May  10,  1823. 

8 

Samuel  Webster,  ,, 

,  Nov.    2,  1796  ; 

m.  Ann  Whitney,  1818. 
r  1.  Sarah  Brigham,  1822. 

9 

Anson,                    , 

,  Oct.  28,  1798  ; 

„  }  2.  Lucy  Richards,  1835. 
(  3.  Sarah  Joselyn,    1839. 

Ki 

Nancy  S.,               , 

,  Aug.   8,  1800  i 

;    „  John  W.  Durgin,  1834. 

11 

William  Mansire, , 

,   Feb.     7,  1802  ; 

d.   July    1,  1805. 

L2 

Jonathan  W.,         , 

,  July    3,  1804  ; 

„    Nov.    1,  1824. 

L3 

William  M., 

,  Apr.  10,  1806 ; 

„    Jan.     1,  1807. 

14 

Abigail  P.,             „ 

,  Dec.  21,  1807; 

„    Feb.  14,  1855. 

Ifi 

Albert  E., 

,  Jan.   30,  1809. 

REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  511 


Children  of  Nancy  S.  (No.  10)  : 
10-16     Anson  D.,     b.  July   29,  1835. 


17 

Mania  A.,     „  Aug.  18,  1836. 

IS 

Augusta  V.,  „  Aug.  20,  1838. 

19 

Abby  R.,        „  Nov.  19,  1840. 

Sarah  F.,        „   Oct.    28,  1844. 

4 

Sarah  Dexter  m.  Thomas  Hadley,  1792  ;  d.  Mar.  1,  1837  ;  and 

had  — 

4-20 

Samuel  D.,      b.  June  14,  1794 ;  m.  B.  R.  Bellows,  May  4,  1813. 

21 

Richard  \V.,    „  Oct.          1796  ;  d.  Nov.  5,  1834. 

22 

Sarah  D.,          „  Feb.  25,  1799 ;  m.  C.  W.  James,  Sept.  18,  1823. 

23 

Elizabeth  W.,  „  May  21,  1804 ;  „  J.  Richardson,  Dec.  12,  1826. 

22 

Sarah  D.  Hadley  m.  Charles  W.  James,  Sept.   18,   1823,  and 

had  — 

22-24 

Charles  H.,     b.  June  24,  1824. 

25 

Sarah  A.,         „  Nov.    5,  1825. 

26 

Horatio,            „  May  26,  1827. 

27 

William  L.,      „  July  14,  1829  ;  d.  Aug.  9,  1833. 

28 

Thomas  W.,  )  „  Feb.  23,  1832. 

29 

Richard  O.,  5                                 „  Feb.  27,  1832. 

22-24  Charles  H.  James  m.  Sarah  B.  Hutchins,  Apr.  24,  1850,  and 

had  — 
24-30     Isabel  E.,  b.  Feb.   18,  1851. 

22-26  Horatio  James  m.  Caroline   J.  Mansfield,  Dec.   25,    1851,  and 

had  — 
26-31     Stanley  W.,  b.  Aug.  24,  1853. 


1  DILL,  THOMAS,  who  d.  Jan.  29,  1718,  had  by  wife  Mary 

1-  2     Mary,      b.  Oct.   35,  1706. 
3    Thomas,  „  Dec.   19,  1708. 


1  EDES,  JOHN,  and  Martha,  his  wife,  had  ■ 

U|    3*LJ    b.Ja„.   Bl,17ia. 


ELIOT,  MARY,  widow  of  Francis,  of  Braintree,  d.  Jan.  17,  1697. 

She  was  mother-in-law  of  Deacon  John  Whitmore ;  and  her  husband  was  probably  a  near  rela- 
tive of  the  apostle  to  the  Indians.  My  reasons  for  this  surmise  are :  1.  That  one  of  the  brothers 
of  Rev.  John  Eliot  mentions  in  his  will  that  he  had  property  in  the  hands  of  this  Francis,  at 
Braintree.  2  Edmund  Hobart  was  father  of  Joshua  and  of  Thomas  Hobart.  Caleb,  son  of 
this  Thomas,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Francis  Eliot.  His  cousin  Peter  m.  Susanna,  dau.  of  Jacob 
Eliot,  and  niece  of  the  apostle  Such  a  coincidence  can  hardly  have  resulted  without  a  con- 
nection between  these  families  of  Eliots. 


1  FARWELL,  ISAAC,  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  had 

1-  2  Elizabeth,  b.  June  15,  1707. 

3  Mary,         „  Nov.  19,  1709. 

4  John,  „  June  23,  1711. 

5  William,    „  Dec.  28,  1712. 

6  Dorothy,    „  Apr.  23,  1715. 


FILLEBROWN,  THOMAS,  m.  Elizabeth  Whitmore,  March  30, 
1732,  and  had  — 


512  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


1-  2     William,  b.  Oct.   30,  1732. 

3  Fillebuowne,  Edward,  m.  Susanna  Peirce,  Feb.  16,  1714,  and 

had  — 
3-  4     Edward,  b.  Aug.  30,  1744. 

5  Thomas,  „  Mar.    2,  1746  ;  d.  July  29, 1746. 

6  Susanna,  „  May  31,  1747. 


1 

FOX,  ISAAC,  had  by  Abigail,  his  wife,  — 

1- 

•  2 

John,         b.  Apr.  10,  1679. 

3 

Isaac,         „  Dee.  12,  1680. 

4 

Abigail,     „  Mar.  11.  1682. 

5 

Hannah,    „  Nov.  15,  1683 ;  d.  Mar.  7,  1685. 

6 

John,          „  Apr.  24,  1685. 

7 

Samuel,     „  Apr.  30,  1687. 

8 

Ebenezer,  „  Oct.    14,  1689. 

9 

Thomas,    „  Nov.  10,  1693. 

1  FRANCIS,  RICHARD,  of  Cambridge,  m.  Alice ,  and  had  — 

1-  2     Stephen,  b.  Feb.     7,  1645. 

3  Sarah,      ,,  Dec.     4,  1646  ;  m.  John  Squires. 

4  John,        „   Jan.     4,  1650. 

Richard  d.  Mar.  24,  1687,  aged  about  81. 

1-  2  Stephen  Francis  m.  Hannah  Hall,  Dec.  27,  1670,  who  d.  Apr.  2, 

1683;  he  then  m.  Hannah  Dickson,  Sept.  16,  1683.     His  chil- 
dren were  — 

2-  5     Hannah,  b.  Sept.  28,  1671 ;  d.  June  17,  1677. 

6  Stephen,  „  Aug.  15,  1674  ;  „  Sept.  24,  1719. 

7  Hannah,  „  June  18,  1677;  „  young. 

8  Hannah,  „  Apr.     7,  1680. 

1-  4  John  Francis,  who  d.  Jan.  3,  1728,  m.  Lydia  Cooper,  Jan.  5, 
1688,  who  d.  Aug.  24,  1725,  aged  63,  and  had  — 

4-  9  John,  b.  Oct.    10,  1688  ;  d.  young. 

10  John,  „  Feb.  17,  1690. 

11  Stephen,     „  Nov.    2,  1691. 

12  Nathaniel,  „         about  1692  ;  named  in  divis.  of  his  father's  estate. 

13  Samuel,      „  Jan.    17,  1696. 

14  Anna,         „  Nov.    2,  1697  ;  m.  Benj.  Dany,  July  23,  1724. 

15  Joseph,        „  Jan.      5,  1700. 

16  Ebenezer,    „  Oct.   30,1701;  d.    Mar.    3,1702. 

17  Lydia,         „  Apr.  20,  1703;  m.  Joseph  Tufts,  Jan  12,  1727. 

18  Ebenezer,    „  Mar.  25,  1708;  d.    Feb.  2,  1727. 

He  appears  to  have  m.  Eliz.  Frost,  Sept.  13,  1705;  and,  in  fact,  it  is  possi- 
ble that  all  these  children,  after  Nathaniel,  —  that  is,  from  and  including  No. 
13,  — may  be  the  offspring  of  a  different  John  and  Lydia.  This,  however,  is 
but  a  surmise ;  and,  from  the  wills,  I  judge  a  very  improbable  one. 

4-10  John  Francis,  and  Dorothy,  his  wife,  who  d.  Sept.  25,  1737,  aged 

33,  had  — 
184  Mary,  b.  Jan.  26,  1732  ;  m.  William  Tufts ;  d.  1812. 
He  d.  Aug.  31,  1750. 

4-11  Stephen  Francis,  blacksmith,  is  mentioned  in  his  brother  Ebene- 

zer's  will  (18).     Stephen  F.  is  apparently  the  one  who  m.  Love, 
widow  of  Josiah  Wyman,  of  Woburn,  July  14,  1740.     He  had 
children  — 
11-19     Stephen,  b.  Mar.    7,  1741 ;  d.  June  26,  1749. 


REGISTER    OK    FAMILIES.  513 


20     Seth,        b.  Jan.  14,  1744;  d.  Oct.  31,  1791. 

He  d.  July  13,  1771.     His  wife  d.  June  22,  1767. 

4-12  Nathaniel  Francis  m.  Sarah ,  and  had  — 

12-21     Nathaniel,  b.  Jan.     6,  1732. 

22  Benjamin,  „  Nov.  11,  1734. 

23  Richard,      „  Jan.     2,  1736. 
234  William,  bap.  Feb.     6,  1737. 

4-13  Samuel  Francis  had  by  his  wife,  Mary,  — 

13-24  Anna,     b.  Nov.  28,  1726  ;  m.  Josiah  Dixon,  June  16,  1748. 

25  Samuel,  „  Jan.  1728. 

26  Sarah,  bap.  Oct.  26,  1729. 

His  wife  d.  Apr.  21,  1774  ;  and  he  followed,  Sept.  29,  177-3. 

4-15  Joseph  Francis  and  Elizabeth  had  — 

15-264  Elizabeth,  b.  Nov.    7,  1736. 

27  Lydia,        „  Dec.  12,  1737. 

28  Joseph,       „  July  12,  1741. 

He  d.  Feb.  1,  1749  ;  and  his  widow  d.  Dec.  2,  1786. 

29  Nabhall  Francis  m.  Sarah  Whitmore,  May  16,  1723  ;  and,  from 

the  dates,  may  have  been  a  son  of  John  No.  4,  born  about  1694  ; 
but  all  these  sons  of  this  John  seem,  if  rightly  traced,  to  have 
married  comparatively  late  in  life ;  and  the  unusual  length  of  the 
generations  seems  to  call  for  another  generation  to  be  inserted. 

30  John  Francis,  jun.,  who  d.  Apr.  2,  1776,  had  by  wife  Dorothy  — 

30-31  Manning,  b.  Nov.  20,  1748 ;  d.  Sept.  6,  1749. 

32  Phebe,       „  May  25,  1753. 

33  Deborah,   „  Apr.  21,  1755  ;  m.  John  Lagood,  Feb.  9,  1755. 

34  Sarah,        „  May  22,  1757. 

35  John,         „  Apr.    6,  1760. 

36  David,       „  June  23,  1764. 

37  Mary,        „  May,        1767. 

38  Ebenezer  Francis  had  by  wife  Rachel  Tufts,  whom  he  m.  Nov. 

15,  1733  — 

38-39  Susanna,  b.  Nov.  28,  1734  ;  m.  Samuel  Cutter,  Apr.  28,  1757. 

40  Abigail,     „  Oct.     6,  1736. 

41  Lucy,         „  Mar.  12,  1739. 

42  Sarah,        „  June    6,  1741 ;  m.  Thomas  Wyer,  Mar,  8,  1766. 

43  Ebenezer,  „  Dec.  22,  1744. 

44  William,    „  Apr.  20,  1746. 

45  Thomas,    „  July  15,  1748. 

46  Aaron,       „  Feb.  16,  1751. 

47  John,  „  Sept.  28,  1753. 

Ebenezer  d.  July  16,  1774. 

12-21  Nathaniel  Francis  m.  Phebe ,  and  had  — 

21-48  Nathaniel,  b.  Oct.   13,  1752. 

49  Jonathan,    „  Jan.  27,  1755. 

50  Stephen,     „  July  25,  1757. 

51  Joseph,        „  Aug.   8,  1759. 

52  Phebe,        „  Sept.  13,  1761. 

53  Thomas,      „  May     3,  1763. 

54  Caleb,  „  Mar.    8,  1766. 

55  Joshua,       „  July,        1767. 

12-22  Benjamin  Francis  m.,  1st,  Lydia ,  who  d.  January,  1768  ;  2d, 

Sarah  Hall,  Oct.  20,  1768  ;  and  d.  June  5,  1798.    He  had  — 
22-56     Benjamin,  b.  Sept.    6,  1759  ;  d.  in  Baltimore. 
57    James. 

65 


514  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


58 

"William,                                     lives  in  Newburyport. 

59 

Convers,     b.  July  14,  1766;  lives  in  Wayland. 

60 

Ebenezer. 

61 

Simon. 

62 

Nathaniel. 

63 

Stephen. 

64 

Sarah,                                          m.  Mr.  Bond,  of  Middletown. 

65 

Lydia,                                           ,,    Job  Wyeth,  of  Cambridge. 

12-23 

Richard  Francis,  by  wife  Hannah  Winship,  whom  he  m.  Mar. 

20,  1760,  had  — 

23-66 

Richard,  b.  Dec.   16,  1760. 

67 

Loring,     „  June    7,  1762. 

68 

Samuel,    „  Aug.  26,  1764. 

69 

Daniel,     „  June  25,  1766. 

Convers  Francis  m.  Susanna  Rand,  May  11,  1788,  who  d.  May 

7,  1814,  aged  48,  and  had  — 
James,      b.  June  12,  1789  ;  lives  at  Wayland. 
Susanna,  „  Oct.     7,  1790;  m.  J.  K.Frothingham,  of  Charlestown. 
Mary,        „  May  29,  1793;    „  Warren  Preston;  d.  Sept. 21, 1847. 
Convers,   „  Nov.    9,  1795  ;  of  Harvard  College.  [books. 

Lydia,       ,,  Feb.   11,1802;  m.  David L. Child;  has  written  several 

Lydia      Francis,  m.  Ebenezer  Blount,  Feb.  17,  1739. 
Sarah  „         „    Josiah  Smith,  of  Lexington,  Nov.  15,  1750. 

Lydia  „         „    Benjamin  Tufts,  March  4,  1779. 

Hannah        „         „    Isaac  Amsdell,  of  Marlborough,  June  7, 1725. 
Lydia  „         „    Nathaniel  Pierce,  Mar.  1,  1685. 

Elizabeth      „  d.  Nov.  12,  1750. 

Samuel         „  jun.,  „   Oct.   15,  1775. 

and  his  wife  „   May   15,  1775. 

Jane,  widow  of  John  Francis,  ,,   Dec.   16,  1800,  aged  63. 


FULTON,  JOHN,  was  born  in  Boston,  1736,  and  moved  to  Med- 
ford  in  1772,  where  he  owned  land  bounded  by  the  street  which 
now  bears  his  name.  His  father  is  said  to  have  emigrated 
from  Ireland,  to  enjoy  liberty  of  conscience,  and  was  one  of  the 
proprietors  of  the  Federal-street  Church.  He  m.  the  oldest 
daughter  of  Samuel  Bradlee,  of  Boston,  whom  he  left  a  widow, 
with  ten  children.  She  died,  aged  95.  One  of  her  daughters 
m,  Nathan  Wait,  of  Maiden,  who  was  b.  1763,  and  d.  1840,  in 
Medford ;  in  which  town  one  of  his  daughters  now  lives,  the 
wife  of  Jonathan  Perkins,  Esq. 

1  GARDNER,  THOMAS,  m.  Mary  Willis,  June  21,   1704,  and 

had  — 
1-  2    Elizabeth,  b.  Aug.  13,  1721. 


GILCHRIST,  JAMES,  was  a  shipmaster,  out  of  Boston  and 
Salem,  in  the  China  and  East  India  trade.  He  died  June  14, 
1825,  aged  52,  leaving,  by  his  wife,  Susan  Wyman,  — 

2  Emily,  m.  Samuel  Crosby,  of  Charlestown. 

3  Margaret  A.,  „   Matthews  W.  Green. 

4  John  James,    „   Sarah  Hubbard.     Is  Chief  Justice  of  N.  H. 

5  Hannah  S. 

6  Susan. 

7  Martha  R. 

8  Daniel  S. 

9  Charles  Henry,  d.  June  4,  1849,  aged  24. 


KECxISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  515 


6  Susan  Gilchrist  m.  Francis  Low,  Esq.,  of  Jamaica  Plains,  and 

has  — 

6-10  Susan,  m.  Ebenezcr  Bacon,  Esq. 

11  Emilv,  „    William  Bacon,  Esq. 

12  Edward. 

13  Ellen. 

14  Francis. 


GILLEGROVE,  JOHN,  d.  Feb.  3,  1718. 

1 

1-  2 
3 

4 
5 
6 

GREATTON,  JOHN,  and  Sarah,  had  — 

John,       b.  Mar.  25,  1713. 

Sarah,     „  Nov.    5,  1714  ;  d.  July  4,  1715 

Sarah,      „  Nov.  15,  1716. 

Mary,      „  Sept.    9,  1718. 

Thomas,  „  May     8,  1722. 

1*  GREENLEAF,  STEPHEN,  m.  Mary ,  and  had  — 

1*-  1     Gardiner,.b.  Jan.      9,  1726. 

2  Elizabeth,  „  Dec.     7,  1727. 

3  Mary,         „  Apr.  25,  1734. 

4  Stephen,     „  Aug.    5,  1736. 

5  Rebecca,     „  Mar.  19,  1739. 

6  Isaac,         „  May  27,  1744. 

He  was  probably  a  descendant  of  Edmund  Greenleaf,  of  Newbury,  1638, 
and  brother  of  Enoch  2*,  mentioned  below.    [  Vide  "  History  of  Newbury."] 

2*  Enoch  Greenleaf  m.  Hannah  Bradshaw,  Feb.   17,   1726,  and 

had  — 
2*-  7     Hannah,    b.  Dec.  23,  1726  ;  d.  Apr.  21,  1736. 

8  John,  „   Oct.   30,  1729. 

9  Edmond,  „  Aug.  17,  1731  ;  „  Mar  9,  1736. 

10  Judith,       „  July  26,  1733. 

11  Samuel,     „  Oct.   24,  1735  ;  „  Jan.  7,  1741. 

12  Edmond,  „  Jan.   21,  1740. 

-  1  Gardiner  Greenleaf  m.   Catharine  Thompson,  Jan  21,  1748, 

who  died  Apr.   8,    1768,   aged   38.     He  died  Nov  21,   1808, 
leaving  — 
1-13     Gardiner,  b.  Aug.  20,  1748. 

14  Rebecca,    „  Sept.  25,  1750  ;  m.  Benjamin  Floyd,  Apr.  30,  1770. 

15  Mary,         „  Oct.  11,  1752  ;   „   Samuel  Kidder,  May  19,  1778. 

16  Jonathan,  „  June    9,  1754. 

17  Catharine,,,  May  23,  1756  ;   „   E.  Thompson,  May  21,  1778. 

18  Hannah,    „  Mar.    3,  1758  ;   „  Francis  Tufts,  June  12,  1785. 

19  Gardiner,  „  July  14,  1765. 

20  Abigail,     „  Apr.    1,  1768. 

-  4  Stephen  Greenleaf  m.  Maria ,  and  had  — 

4-21     Eliza  Mason,  b.  Dec.  1,  1764. 

-  6  Isaac  Greenleaf  m.  Mary  Tufts,  Dec.  10,  1772  ;  but,  his  wife 

dying  June   24,    1776,  aged  25,  he  m.   Sarah,  dau.  of  Jacob 
Rhoades,  Apr.  30,  1778.     She  was  b.  Dec.  1,  1756,  and  d.  Nov. 
6,  1829,  aged  72.     He  d.  Feb.  19,  1807,  leaving  — 
6-22     Isaac,  b.  Feb.     3,  1779  ;  m.  Hepzibah  Shed. 

23  Sarah,  „  Sept.         1780  ;  d.  unm.  Sept.  15,  1807. 

24  Mary,  „  Jan.    29,1782;,,       „      July  11,  1805. 

25  Hannah  H., „  Apr.    5,  1784  ;  m.  Henry  Reed. 


516  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOItD. 

26  Rebecca,       b.  Nov.    6,  1786  ;  m.  John  Burridge,  jun. 

27  Abigail  H.,  „  Nov.  24,  1788  ;    „  Thomas  Shed. 

28  Eliza  H.,      „  Sept.  14,  1791  ;  d.  unm.  May  1,  1821. 

29  Harriet,        „  Nov.   14,  1794  ;  m.  Henry  Rogers. 

1-13  Gardiner  Greenleaf,  m.  Lydia ,  and  had  — 

13-30  Gardiner,  b.  May  5,  1789. 

1-16  Jonathan  Greenleaf  m.   Joanna  Manning,  May  5,  1778,  and 
had  — 

16-31  Jonathan,  b.  Feb.   16,  1784. 

32  Mary  Manning,  „  Dec.  28,  1786. 

33  William,  „  Oct.     7,  1788. 

34  Joseph,  „  Jan.    31,  1794. 

35  Sarah,  „  Oct.   25,  1797. 

6-22  Isaac  Greenleaf  m.  Hepzibah  Shed,  Feb.  18,  1803,  who  was 

b.  April  6,  1780,  and  d.  Sept.  21,  1827.     He  had  — 

b.  May  17,  1804  ;  m.  Gard.  Fineld,  Dec.  28, 1823. 

„  Sept.    1,  1807 ;  d.  young. 

„  Nov.  13,  1808;  m.I.B.Mott;  d.Dec.2,1836,s.;>. 

„  Jan.  26,  1813. 

b.  Dec.  16,  1816  ;    „  Rufus  C.  Smith. 

41  Edward  Henry,  „  Sept.  25,  1819  ;    „  Car.  S.  Colby,  of  Westport. 

42  Manasseh  K.,     „  Mar.  25,  1821 ;  d.,  unm.,  May  26,  1849. 

*  Hepzibah  had,  by  Gardner  Fineld,  — 
George  G.,      b.  Oct.  27,  1824  ;  m.  Sarah  E.  Richardson. 
James  F.,        „  Sept.  15,  1826  ;    „   Tamzay  Holbrook. 
Frederick  I.,  „   Oct.   31,  1828 ;  d.  April  16,  1830. 
Frederick  P.,  „  Oct.  24,  1831;  „    May  23,  1851. 
Georgiannal.,,,   Sept.    8,1836. 
Winslow  W.,  „  Oct.     2,  1840. 
William  E.,     „  Mar.  19,  1845. 


22-36 
37 
38 

Hepzibah,' 
Mary, 
Sarah  A., 

39 
40 

George  G., 
Lydia  S., 

1  GREGG,  CAPT.  JAMES,  was  b.  in  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  and  m. 

Jane  Cargil.     He  embarked  for  America  in  1718  ;  and,  landing 
at  Cape  Elizabeth,  spent  the  winter  there.     He  was  afterwards 
one  of  the  sixteen  first  settlers  of  Londonderry.    He  had  — 
William. 

1-  2    John. 

Samuel. 
Thomas. 
Elizabeth. 

1-  2  John  Gregg  m.  Agnes  Rankin,  and  had  — 

James. 
Hugh.      • 
John. 
William. 
George. 

2-  3     Samuel. 

Joseph. 
Benjamin. 
Elizabeth. 
Janet. 

2-  3  Samuel  Gregg  m.  Agnes  Smiley,  and  had  — 

John. 

3-  4    Hugh. 

Samuel. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  517 


George. 
Sarah. 
Ann. 
Mary. 

Elizabeth. 

3-  4  Hugh  Greco  m.  Sarah  Leslie,  and  lived  at  New  Boston,  N.IL, 

where  he  had  — 
Rosamund. 
James. 
Alexander. 
Jane. 
Hannah. 
John. 
Leslie. 
Mary. 
Reuben. 
Ann. 
4-  5     Samuel. 

4-  5  Samuel  Gregg  m.  Jane  Wilson,  and  had  — 

Jane. 
Elizabeth. 
Mary. 
Sarah, 
o-  6     Alexander. 

7  Samuel. 

He  m.,  2d,  Lydia  Bartlett,  and  had  — 

8  James  B. 

6-  6  Alexander  Gregg  m.  Jane  Moore  Clark,  of  New  Boston,  N.IL, 

Oct.  3,  1820 ;  and  had  by  her  — 
6-  9     Frances  Anne. 

10  Robert  Mack. 

11  Jane  "Wilson. 

He  removed  to  Medford  in  1827. 

6-  7  Samuel  Gregg  m.  Ruth  Wadsworth  Richards,  of  New  Boston, 
and  had  — 

7-12  Martha  Dalton. 

13  Samuel  W. 

14  Caroline  A. 

15  Abby  Maria. 

16  Jane  A. 

17  Abby  Trask. 

5-  8  James  B.  Gregg  m.  Mary  Bailey,  of  Newbury  ;  and  d.  April  15, 

1848,  leaving  one  son,  — 
8-18     James  Bartlett. 

GROVES,  MATHEW,  son  of  Mathew  and  Naomi,  b.  July  9, 
1702. 

1  HALL,  WIDOW  MARY,  of  Cambridge,  had  lands  given  her  by 

that  town,  1662,  when  she  united  with  the  church.  Her  chil- 
dren were  all  adults  then.    She  had  — 

1-  2    John. 

3  Susanna. 

4  Stephen. 

5  William. 


518  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


6  Mary,  m.  Israel  Meade,  Feb.  26,  1669. 

7  Hannah,        •  „   Stephen  Francis,  Dec.  27,  1670. 

8  Lydia,  „    Gershom  Cutter,  1  mo.  6,1677-8. 

1-  2  John  Hall  was  of  Concord,  1658.     He  m.,  4  mo.  2, 1656,  Elizabeth 

Green,  of  Camb.,  dau.  of  Percival  and  Ellen  Green.  John  was 
of  Camb.,  1667  to  1675.  He  bought  lands  at  Medford,  June 
27,  1675,  of  Caleb  Hobart,  which  he  mortgaged  to  him  the  same 
day  as  security,  and  redeemed  May  2,  1881,  for  two  hundred  and 
sixty  pounds.  His  children  were  — 
2-  9     Elizabeth,  b.  18,    7  mo.,  1658 ;  m.  John  Oldham. 

10  John,  „   13,  10    „     1660. 

11  Nathaniel,  „     7,    5    „     1666. 

12  Mary,  „  1668 ;  m.  John  Bradshaw. 

13  Stephen,     „  1670. 

14  Percival,     „        Feb.  11,  1672. 

15  Susanna. 

16  Jonathan,    „  1677. 

17  Sarah,         „  1679. 

18  Thomas. 

1-  4  Stephen  Hall  was  of  Concord;  afterwards  (in  1685)  of  Stow,  of 

which  latter  place  he  was  representative  in  1689.    He  m.,  Dec. 
3,  1663,  Ruth  Davis,  and  had  — 
4-19     Samuel,     b.  Dec.     8,  1665. 

20  Ruth,         „  Jan.  12,  1670. 

21  Mary,         „  June    1,  1677. 

22  Elizabeth,  „  Apr.     7,  1685. 

1-  o  William  Hall,  m.,  18,  8mo.,  1658,  Sarah  Meriam,  of  Concord, 

where  he  lived.     He  d.  Mar.  10,  1667. 

2-10  John   Hall,   of  Medford,   m.,   Dec.   2,    1687,   Jemima  Syll,  of 
Camb. ;  and  d.  Nov.  14,  1720.     He  had  — 

10-23  John,  b.  Sept.  11,  1689;  d.  Oct.    2,  1689. 

2l  John,  „  Sept.  19,  1690. 

25  William,     „  June  24,  1692 ;  „  Oct.     4,  1694. 

26  William,    „  Nov.    1,  1694 ;  „  Jan.     3,  1695. 

27  Elizabeth,  „  June  10,  1696. 

28  Andrew,     „  May    5,  1698. 

29  Jemima,      „  Oct.     8,  1700  ;  m.,Jan.l4, 1725,  Z.Alden,  of  Boston. 

30  Joseph,        „  Nov.  30,  1702. 

31  Stephen,     „  Jan.  19,  1704. 

32  Martha,      „  Aug.  20,  1706. 

(And  perhaps  two  others.) 

2-11  Nathaniel  Hall  m.,   April  16,   1690,   Elizabeth   Cutter,  and 
had  — 

11-33  Elizabeth,  b.  Jan.     9,  1691. 

34  Nathan,     „  Oct.  25,  1694  ;  d.  Sept.  22,  1773,  s.p. 

35  Susanna,    „  Aug.  30,  1696. 

36  Sarah,         „  Sept.    8,  1698. 

37  Tabitha,     „  Nov.    9,  1699 ;  m.  Wm.  Benford,  Sept.  16,  1723. 

38  William,    „  Feb.     9,  1705. 

2-13  Stephen  Hall,  of  Charlestown,  m.,  1st,  Grace ,  who  d..,  of 

smallpox,  Nov.   12,  1721 ;  and,  2d,  Feb.  5,   1739,  Mrs.  Anne 
Nowel.     He  d.  Sept.  3,  1755,  aged  85.    His  children  were  — 
13-39     Stephen,  b.  Nov.    5,  1693. 

40  Grace,      „  June  17,  1697  ;  m.  Isaac  Parker. 

41  Esther,     „  Dec.  27,  1700;    „   Dec.  18,  1729,  Peter  Eades. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  519 


42  Josiah,     b.  May  12,  1705. 

43  Willard. 

a  4  T>„fu  ,  ,„„  (  1st,  July  8, 1725,  John  Weber. 

44  Ruth'       »  l708;m-    i2d,DeC:il,1735,T.Symmes. 

2-14  Percival  Hall,  of  Sutton,  1720 ;  m.  at  Woburn,  Oct.  18,  1G97, 

Jane  Willis.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  church  at  Med- 
ford ;  was  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  Sutton  ;  was  repre- 
sentative to  the  Provincial  Congress;  and  deacon.  He  died 
Dec.  25,  1752.     Children  :  — 

x  Bounds ;  d.  s.  p. 


14-45 

Percival, 

b.  Nov. 

13, 

1G98;  m 

46 

Jane, 

ii  May 

15, 

1700. 

«. 

Mary. 

b. 

Elizabeth 

c. 

Stephen, 

ii  Apr. 

2, 

1709. 

d. 

Martha. 

47 

Thomas, 

»  Aug. 

15, 

1712. 

48 
49 

Zaccheus, 
Susanna, 

1 

„  Jan. 

11, 

1714-15. 

50 

Grace, 

„  Oct. 

7, 

1717. 

51 

Willis, 

„  Mar. 

7, 

1719-20. 

2-16  Jonathan  Hall  m.,  1702,  Lydia  Cutter,  who  d.  Jan.  1,  1754.     He 

d.  Jan.  12,  1754,  leaving  — 
16-52     Jonathan. 

53  Lydia,       b.  Apr.  27,  1705  ;  m.  Jas.  Tufts,  of  Chas.,  June  27, 1722. 

54  Gershom,  d.  Dec.  9,  1718. 

2-18  Thomas  Hall  was  deacon  of  the  church  at  Mcdford;  in.,  1st, 

Dec.  22,  1702,  Hannah  Cutter ;  2d,  Abigail ,  who  d.  Sept.  8, 

1745  ;    3d,  Apr.  16,   1747,  Elizabeth  Davis.     He  d.  Jan.  25, 
1757.     His  children  were,  by  first  wife,  — 
18-55    Thomas,  b.  Oct  5,  1703. 
By  second  marriage  :  — 

56  Edward,  b.  Apr.  11,  1707. 

57  Abigail,    „  Oct.  24,  1708. 

58  Ruth,       „  July     1,  1712 ;  d.  Oct.  30,  1714. 
69     John,        „  Mar.  17,  1715. 

60  Ruth,       „  Aug.  20,  1719. 

61  William,,,  June  11,  1721. 

62  Samuel,  „  Nov.  27,  1723 ;  „  May   7,  1726. 

63  Samuel,  „  May    7,  1725  ;  (?)  d.  Mar.  30,  1729. 

64  Rebecca,  „  Feb.  28,  1727  ;  m.,  Nov.  13,  1745,  A.  Blanchard,  jun. 

65  Samuel,   „  Jan.   22,  1730. 

10-24  John  Hall  (Captain),  m.  Elizabeth  Walker,  Apr.  27,  1720 ;  and 
d.  Aug.  8,  1746.    His  children  were  — 

24-66  John,  b.  Nov.  24,  1720. 

67  Elizabeth,  „  Mar.  24,  1722. 

68  Susanna,     „  May    9,  1724. 

69  Timothy,     „  Mar.  13,  1726.    , 

70  Samuel,       „  Apr.    2,  1728  ;  m.  Mary  Hall;  and  d.,  1772,  s.p. 

71  Joseph,        „  Mar.  29,  1730. 

72  Jemima,      „  Dec.    2,  1732. 

73  Nathaniel,  „  June    7,  1735. 

74  Ebenezer,   „  July  21,  1737. 

75  Zachariah,  „  Jan.     9,  1740. 

10-28  Andrew  Hall  m.,  Nov.  22,  1722,  Abigail  Walker,  who  d.  Aug. 

26,  1785,  aged  88.     He  d.  June  24,  1750.     Children  :  — 
28-76     Andrew,     b.  Oct.      6,  1723. 


520  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

77  Abigail,  b.  Apr.  15,  1725  ;  m. Fitch. 

78  James,  „  Apr.  17,  1727  ;  d.  Aug.  20,  1729. 

79  Sarah,  „  Dec.     1,  1729  ;  „  Nov.  28,  1792. 

80  Benjamin,  „  Jan.  27,  1731. 

81  James,  „  Apr.    8,  1733  ;  ,,  Nov.  8,  1763. 

82  Anna,  „  Mar.  17,  1735  ;  m. Brooks. 

83  Richard,  „  Nov.  12,  1737. 

84  Isaac,  „  Jan.    24,  1739. 

85  Josiah,  „  Jan.    11,  1741  ;  d.  May  1, 1743. 

86  Josiah,  „  Oct.    17,  1744. 

87  Ebenezer,  „  May  31,  1748  ;  „  Mar.  21,  1835. 

88  Enoch,  „  Oct.  30,  1749  ;  „  Apr.  2,  1750. 

10-31  Stephen  Hall,  jun.,  m.  Mary ,  and  had  — 

31-89  Willis,        b.  Aug.  20,  1733. 

90  Stephen,     „  Mar.     7,  1735. 

91  Aaron,        „  Apr.  23,  1737. 

92  Mary,         „  Apr.  27,  1739. 

93  Ezekiel,      „  Apr.   14,  1741. 

94  Elizabeth,  „  May   15,  1743. 

95  Jane,  „  Apr.  11,  1746. 
90  Edmund,  „  July    15,  1749. 

13-39  Stephen  Hall,  the  lieutenant,  m.  Elizabeth ,  w  ho  d.  Feb.  3, 

1764.     He  d.  Sept.  3,  1755.     Children:  — 
39-97     Mary,         b.  Apr.  17,  1719. 

98  Stephen,     „  Aug.  10,  1721. 

99  Sarah,         „  Oct.   14,  1724. 

100     Elizabeth,  „  Dec.  19,  1725 ;  d.  Sept.  9,  1749. 

13-43  Willajid  Hall  grad.  H.  C.  1722,  and  was  the  minister  of  West- 

ford.    He  m.  Abigail  Cotton,  of  Portsmouth,  who  d.  Oct.  20, 
1789,  and,  dying  Mar.  19,  1779,  left  — 
43-101     Willard,     b.  June  12,  1730. 

102  Elizabeth,  „  Oc,  24,  ,732;  m.   {  Jf  %*%%£*.. 

103  Abigail,  „  July  19,  1734 ;   „ Abbot,  of  Billerica. 

104  Ann,  „  Apr.  22,  1736  ;   „   L.  Whiting,  of  Hollis,  N.H. 

105  Mary,  „  July  30,  1738  ;  „   Jonas  Minot,  of  Concord. 

106  Martha,  „  June    8,  1741;  d.  young. 

107  Stephen,  „  May  28,  1743. 

108  Willis,  „  Nov.  14,  1747. 

109  Isaiah.  „  Jan.   19,  1749. 

110  Martha,  „  July  16,  1752. 

111  Grace,  m.  Benjamin  Whiting. 

14-46  c.  Stephen,  of  Sutton,  was  quarter-master  in  the  old  French  war  ; 

m.,  Apr.  17,  1745,  widow  Sarah  (Taft)  Reed,  and  had  — 
46  c.-llla.  Stephen,       b.  Jan.    24,1746. 

b.  Joseph,  „  Feb.  25,  1748. 

-cm-    u  n.  tu.     nn    ,H?n  (  1st,  Benjamin  Swinerton. 

c.  Elizabeth,    „  Feb.   28,  1750  ;  m.  J  2d;L>  TJhompson- 

d.'jdhn,  „  Apr.  26,  1752. 

e.  Samuel  R.,  „  Jan.  21,  1755. 
/.  Emerson,  „  Apr.  21,  1758. 
g.  Lucy,  „  Jan.     7,  1761 ;  d.  Nov.  7,  1777. 

14-47  Thomas  Hall  m.  1st,  June  30,  1737,  Judith  Chase  ;  2d,  Hul- 

dah ;  removed  late  in  life  to  Cornish,  N.H.,  and  there 

died,  1797.     He  had  — 
47-112       Pcrcival,  b.  Mar.  15,  1740-1. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  521 


113       Thomas,  b.  Mar.  23,  1742-3. 

113  a.  Sarah,      „  Aug.  28,  1745. 

b.  Thomas,  „  Dec.         1747. 

c.  Mary,        „  June  10,  1750. 

d.  Betty,       „  Juue    9,  1753. 

e.  Moses,      „  Aug.  27,  1755  ;  d.  in  Guildhall,  Vt. 
/.  Judith,     „  Sept.  16,  1757. 

And  by  second  wife,  — 

114  Moody,     b.  Feb.  25,  1760. 
114  a.  Huldah,    „  July  26,  1761. 

14-48  Zaccheus  removed  to  New  Braintree,  m.  Mary ,  and  had 

(born  in  Sutton)  — 
48-114  b.  Elias,         b.  Sept.  23,  1743. 

c.  Mary,         „  Sept.  17,  1745. 

d.  Zaccheus,  „  July     1,  1749. 

e.  Aaron. 

14-51  Willis  Hall,  of  Sutton,  was  deacon,  representative,  &c,  and 

a  man  of  wealth.     He  m.,  1st,  May  15,  1746,  Martha  Gibbs, 
who  d.  Feb.  1,  1756  ;  2d,  Anna,  dau.  of  William  and  Anna 
Coye ;  and  had  — 
51-115  a.  "Willis,  b.  May  29,  1747.  (A  captain  in  the  revolutionary  army.) 
b.  Jacob,     „  Feb.        1749. 
c.Martha,,,  Sept.  12,  1751. 

d.  Grace,    „  Oct.  30,  1753. 

e.  Olive,     „  Dec.  11,  1755. 

And  by  second  wife,  — 

/.  Jonathan,   b.  Oct.  21,  1757. 

g.  Josiah,         ,,  Oct.     5,  1759. 

h.  Israel,  „  Jan.  21,  1762. 

116  Nathaniel,  „  Apr.  9,  1764. 
116  a.  Joseph,        „  Jan.  26,  1767. 

16-52  Jonathan  Hall  m.,  1st,  Feb.  17,  1731,  Elizabeth  Tufts  ;  2d, 

Nov.  22,  1739,  Anna  Fowle;  and  d.  Dec.  25,    1753.     He 
had  — 
52-117      Jonathan,  b.  Oct.  16,  1733. 

118  Samuel,      „  Nov.    2,  1740. 

119  Elizabeth,  „  Oct.   22,  1742;  d.  Oct.  27,  1742. 

120  Daniel,       „  Oct.     9,  1744. 

121  Gershom,    „  July  21,  1746;    „  Apr.  7,  1767. 

122  Ebenezer,   „  Sept.  12,  1749  ;   „  Feb.  1776. 

123  Daniel,       „  Dec.    9,  1751  ;„  Feb.  25,  1773. 
123£     ,  „  Jan.     2,  1754  ;„  Jan.  2,  1754. 

18-56  Edward  Hall  m.  Abigail  ,  who  d.  Aug.  31,  1748.     He 

d.  Jan.  28,  1749.     Children :  — 
56-124      Abigail,  b.  Aug.  10,  1733  ;  m.  Samuel  Giles,  Jan.  31,  1784. 

125  Joshua. 

126  Luke,      „  1741. 

127  Mary,      „  Apr.  26,  1746 ;  d.  Jan.  28,  1749. 

24-66  John  Hall  m.,  Oct.  22,  1746,  Mary  Keisar,  and  had  — 

66-128  John,      b.  July  24,  1747. 

129  Henry,  „  June  29,  1749. 

130  Moses,    „  Nov.  28,  1750. 

24-69  Timothy  Hall  m.,  June  29,  1749,  Mary  Cutter,  and  had  — 

69-131  Mary,  b.  Feb.  15,  1750. 

132  Timothy,      „  Dec.  12,  1751  ;  d.  Jan.  21,  1753. 

133  Timothy,      „  Oct.   24,  1753. 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


134  Susanna,  b.  June    3,  1756. 

135  Ammi-Ruhamah,  „  Aug.  27,  1758. 

136  Samuel,  „  Oct.     5,  1760. 

137  John,  „  Feb.     9,  1763. 

138  Sarah,  „  May  12,  1765. 

24-71  Joseph  Hall  m.,  Nov.  24,  1757,  Abigail  Brooks,  and  had  — 

71-139     Caleb,    b.  Oct.    27.  1758. 
140     Joseph,  „  Dec.     2,  1759. 

24-74  Ebenezer  Hall  m.,  Nov.  3,  1763,  Susanna  Floyd,  and  had  — 

74-141  Abigail,     b.  Apr.     6,  1767. 

142  Ebenezer,  „  May    10,  1770. 

143  Gilbert,      „  Sept.  27,  1771. 

24-75  Zachariah  Hall,  who  d.   Oct.  30,  1795,  m.  Mehitable , 

and  had  —  ' 

75-144     Samuel,  b.  June  11,  1772. 
145     Daniel,    „  Oct.   17,  1774. 

28-76  Andrew  Hall  (a  ship-master),  m.  Sarah ,  and  had  — 

76-146     Abigail,  b.  Jan.  28,  1751. 

28-80  Benjamin  Hall  m.  Hepzibah  Jones  (b.  May  6,  1734),  May  3, 

1752.     He  d.  Feb.  2,  1817.     His  wife  d.  Aug.  10,  1790,  aged 
56  ;  and  had  — 
80-147     Benjamin,  b.  Aug.    9,  1754. 

148  Ephraim,    ,,  June    1,  1756. 

149  Fitch,  „  Jan.   28,  1759. 

150  Andrew,      „  Feb.  26,  1761.  ' 

151  Hepzibah,  „  June  25,  1764;  m.  John  B.  Fitch,  Jan.  27,  1785. 

28-81  James  Hall  m.  Mary  Watson,  Mar.  27,  1760,  and  d.  Nov.  18, 

1763.     He  had  — 
81-152    Mary,  b.  Jan.  15,  1761. 

28-83  Richarp  Hall  m.,  Nov.  9,  1762,  Lucy  Jones,  who  was  b.  Oct. 

13,    1745,   and  d.  Feb.    10,    1826.     He  d.  June  27,   1827. 
Child :  — 
83-153    Richard,  b.  Aug.  29,  1764  ;  d.  July  16,  1765. 

28-84  Isaac  Hall  m.  Abigail  Cutter,  Oct.  8,  1761,  and  had  — 

84-154  Abigail,   b.  Oct.   12,  1762. 

155  Elinor,     „  July  23,  1764. 

156  Isaac,        „  Aug.    5,  1766;  d.  May,  17,  1770. 

157  James,      „  Dec.  25,  1768. 

158  Isaac,       „  June  20,  1774  ;  „  July  22,  1775. 

159  Rebecca,  „  May  28,  1776. 

28-87  Ebenezer  Hall  m.,  Apr.  12,  1770,  Martha  Jones,  sister  of  the 

wives  of  Richard  and  Benjamin,  ante.  She  was  born  June 
19,  1750  ;  and  d.  Dec.  22,  1835.  He  d.  Mar.  21,  1735,  and 
had  — 


87-160 

Ebenezer, 

b.  May  11, 

1771. 

161 

Richard, 

„  Feb.  24, 

1774; 

d. 

Oct.  19,  1798. 

162 

Ephraim, 

„  Feb.  17, 

1776; 

m. 

,Feb.  2,  1819,  J.  T.  Reynolds. 

163 

Martha, 

„  June  24, 

1778; 

d. 

June  23,  1780. 

164 

Lucy, 

„  Nov.  28, 

1782; 

m. 

Josiah  Bradlee,  of  Boston. 

165 

Isaac, 

„  Mar.  12, 

1783; 

Susan  Mitchell,  of  Nantucket. 

166 

Andrew, 

„  Oct.  21, 

1788  i 

i   » 

(  1.  Ann  Gray,  Dec.  20,  1815. 
i  2.  Ann  G.  Moor,  Sept.,  1819. 

31 


REGISTER   OF    FAMILIES.  523 


-89  Willis   Hall   m.  Sarah  ,  who  d.  Nov.   11,  1790  ;    and 

had  — 

89-167  George  H.,  b.  Jan.     8,  1763. 

168  Willis,  „  Sept.  10,  1764. 

169  Nathaniel,    „  Mar.  12,  1767. 

170  Ann,  „  Oct.   10,  1770. 

171  Mary,  „  Sept.  28,  1772. 

172  Edward,       „  Jan.    19,  1778. 

173  Sarah,  „  Oct.   12,  1780. 

174  Elizabeth,     „  Jan.   13,  1783. 

-90  Stephen  Hall,  the  4th,  had  wife  Mary ,  and  had  — 

90-175  Stephen,     b.  Dec.  22,  1770. 

176  Mary,  „  June  22,  1772. 

177  Elizabeth,  „  Mar.  10,  1777. 

178  Zechariah,  „  Dec.  16,  1778. 

31-91  Aaeon  Hall  m.,  Jan.  3,  1760,  Rebecca  Pool,  and  had  — 

91-179  Rebecca,  b.  Nov.  9,  1760. 

31-93  Ezekiel  Hall  m.  Anna ,  and  had  — 

93-180  Ezekiel,      >,     T  ,     ,-   ,mea 

181  Elizabeih,Jb-July16'1766' 

182  Samuel,         „  July         1769. 

39-98  Stephen  Hall  m.  Sarah ,  and  had  — 

98-183  Sarah,)      ,     „     .    0Q    .... 

184  Lucy,  5     b.  Sept.  23,  1744. 

185  Stephen,     „  Jan.      3,  1746. 

186  Simon,        „  Apr.     9,  1747. 

187  Jacob,         „  Jan.     9,  1749. 

188  Elizabeth,  „  Mar.  11,  1750;  d.  Mar.  20,  1750. 

189  Francis,      „  May   18,  1751. 

190  Elizabeth,  „  May   10,  1753. 

191  Mary,         „  Apr.     3,  1757. 

43-101  Willakd  Hall  m. ,  and  had  — 

101-192  Willard. 

193  Isaiah,  d.   s.  p. 

194  James,  „    in  Vermont,  leaving  one  child. 

195  Joseph  F.,  m.  Miss  Moore,  and  lives  in  Groton. 

196  Abigail,  „    1st,  Oliver  Spaulding ;  2d, Giles. 

197  Sarah,  d.  unmarried. 

198  Ruth. 

43-107  Stephen  Hall  grad.  H.  C.  1765,  where  he  was  tutor.     Was 

educated  for  the  ministry,  but  never  settled.     He  m.  Mary 

Holt,  widow  of  Moses  Holt,  jun.,  and   settled  in  Portland, 

where  his  wife  died,  July  27,  1808,  aged  54.     Children :  — 

f  armorer  at  Harper's  Ferry,  and 

,,.„  .„„  T  i.  u   t        n,    it™    I  known  bv  «' Hall's  Carbine ; " 

107-199  John,  b.  Jan.  21,  1778  ;^  fether  of  -wmard  p.  HaU>  kte 


[m.C.  from  Missouri. 


200 

Martha, 

„  Oct.   10,  1779. 

201 

Mary, 

„  Dec.  13,  1783. 

202 

William  A., 

„  Oct.     6,  1785. 

203 

Willard, 

„  June    5,  1788. 

204 

Martha  C, 

„  Jan.    26,  1792  ; 

d.  Nov.  26,  1847 

43-108  Willis  Hall  lived  and  died  at  Westford.    He  married  Mehi- 

table  Pool,  and  had  — 
108-205     Willard,  b.  Dec.  24,  1780. 


524 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORI). 


206 

William  C,  b. 

1783. 

207 

Benjamin. 

208 

Elizabeth. 

209 

Mehitable, 

m.  Stephen  Dow. 

210 

Hannah, 

„  T.  R.  Wright,  of  Pepperell. 

211 

Frances. 

46c.-llla. 

llla.-211a. 

b. 


Willard  (205)  ha3  been  Secretary  of  State  in  Delaware,  1811-1814; 
Representative  to  Congress,  1816-1820;  District  Judge  U.  S.  Ct.,  May 
6, 1823,  to  date ;  besides  taking  a  conspicuous  part  on  State  questions. 

He  m. ,  and  has  one  child,  b.  1809,  who  m.  Dr.  Robert  R. 

Porter,  of  Wilmington. 

Stephen  Hall,  of  Sutton,  m.  Abigail ,  and  had  — 


Abigail,   b. 

Stephen, 

Sarah, 

Betsey, 

Simon, 


Dec.  7, 
Mar.  4, 
Aug.  20, 
Mar.    4, 


1770: 

1773. 
1775: 
1778 


Mar.  27,  1780. 


m.  Amos  Batchelder. 

Elkanah  Otis. 

Capt.  D.  Stone,  of  Oxford. 


C  now  living  in  Sutton,  on  land 
/.     William,  „  Mar.    9,  1783 ;    1  inherited  from  Percival,  his 

(  great-grandfather. 
g.    Mary,       „  Feb.  22,  1785  ;  m.  Eli  Servey. 
h.     Calvin,      „  Jan.  23,  1789 ;  is  of  Sutton. 

46  c.-l  11  b.  Joseph  Hall,  a  mason,  resided  in  Richmond,  Vt.  ;  and  d. 

there,  Nov.  22,   1822.      He  m.,  in  1769,  Mary  Trow- 
bridge, of  Newton,  b.  Nov.,  1750;   d.  Dec.  28,  1824; 
and  had  — 
1116.-21H.    Thaddeus,     b.  Mar.  28,  1770. 

„  Nov.  26,  1771 ;  m.  Orin  Stevens. 
„  June    4,  1774;  d.  young. 
„  July  25,  1775  ;  „       „ 
„  May  15,  1777  ;  m.  James  Butler. 
„  Sept.  14,  1779  ;  is  living. 
„  Dec.    7,  1781 ;  d.  in  infancy. 
„  June    1,  1783  ;  is  living. 
„  Sept.  12,  1785  ;  m.  Isaac  Hallock. 
„  June  25,  1787. 

„  Apr.  19,  1789  :  „   Aaron  Curtis. 
„  1791;  d.  young. 

»  1793;  „ 

„  Sept.  22,  1796  ;  m.  Nathan  Smith. 
John  Hall,  of  Sutton,  m.,  Jan.  28,  1777,  Dolly  Ward,  and 
had  — 

b.  Jan.   10,  1778  ;  m.  Joseph  Nelson. 

„  Nov.  30,  1779. 

„  Jan.  13,  1782. 

„  Feb.  12,  1785  ;  „    John  Haskell. 

„  Oct.  28,  1787  ;  a  scythe  manufacturer. 

„  Mar.    4,  1792;  m.  Jonathan  Putnam. 

„  Jan.     9,  1794  ;  „    Smith,  of  Shrewsb. 

„  Apr.    3,  1797  ;  d.  s.p. 
46e.-llle.  Samuel  Reed  Hall  was  a  clergyman  in  Croyden,  N.H. ; 

Guildhall,  Vt. ;  and  in  Rumford,  Me.,  where  he  d.,  Nov., 
1814.     He  m.  Elizabeth  Hall,  and  had  — 
Hannah,  m.  Michael  Amy. 

Lucy,  „  Caleb  Amy. 

Betsey,  „   John  Whitter. 

Samuel,  ,,   Hannah  Swinerton. 

Reed. 


46  c.-l  lid. 


Sarah, 

Amasa, 

Abner, 

Polly, 

Joseph, 

Louis, 

Edmund  T. 

Ethen, 

Asher, 

Anna, 

John, 

Betsey, 

Lucy, 


Lucy, 

Thaddeus, 

Jonas, 

Dolly, 

John, 

Harriet, 

Hannah, 

Increase  S.. 


REGISTER   OF    FAMILIES.  525 


Chloc,  m.  Asa  Swinerton. 

Hezekiah,  was  a  clergyman. 

Sarah. 

Josiah  Brewer. 

Theodosia. 

Samuel  Read,  was  a  clergyman  in  Brownington,  Vt. 

46  c.-l  1 1/.  Emerson  Hall,  of  Boscawen,  N.H.,  m.  Tabitha  Goldthwait, 

of  Northbridge,  and  had  — 
Tabitha.  ) 
Lydia.     ) 
Eleazer. 
Ebenezer. 
Lucy. 

47-112  Percival  Hall  was  a  physician  and  surgeon  in  the  revolu- 

tionary war  ;  and  d.  at  Boston,  Sept.,  1825.     He  m.  Mar- 
garet Ware,  of  Wrentham,  who  d.  aged  81.     Children  :  — 
112-212     Jairus.* 

213  Sewall. 

214  Jeffries. 

215  Bradshaw,  d.  in  Castine,  1826,  leaving  six  children. 

216  Timothy,  b.  1769  ;  father  to  Rev.  J.  Hall,  of  Newcastle,  Me. 

*  A  lawyer;  for  more  than  twenty  years  a  member  of  Vermont 
Legislature ;  Judge  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  &c. ;  d.  in  Boston  in  1849. 

48-114  e.  Aaron  Hall  m. ,  and  had  — 

114  e. -216  a.     Daughter,  m.  Asa  Parsons. 

b.  Apphia,  „  Sylvester  Judd,  Esq.,  of  Southampton. 

c.  Irene,  „  Samuel  Matthews. 

d.  Drusilla,  ,,  Johnson,  of  Hadley. 

e.  Arethusa,  lives  in  Brooklyn,  N.Y. 
/.  Richardson,  lives  in  Greenfield,  Me. 
g.  Samuel,  is  a  clergyman. 

51-115  g.  Josiah   Hall,  of  Sutton,  was  a   captain   in  the  revolu- 

tionary army.     He  m.,  1785,  Mary  Marble,  and  had  — 

,K       „1C,      rni™.         u  tw      i    T78*.  f  for  manv  years  town-clerk  of 

115  y.-216  h.    Oliver,       b.  Dec.    1,  1785 ;  J  SuttontVhere  he  now  KTOfc 

i.     Mary,  „  Apr.     7,  1788  ;  m.  Alpheus  Marble. 

j.     Almira,       „  June    4,  1790;  d.    Sept.  18,  1795. 
k.     Deborah,     „  Jan.   18,  1793  ;   „    Sept.  12,  1795 

I.    Hannah,     „  Dec.  13,  1795  ; 


1st,  Rufus  Carter. 

2d,  Cyrus  Faulkner. 
m.    Mindwell,  „  Feb.    8,  1798  ;   „   James  Phelps. 
n.     Anna,         „  June  17,  1800. 
o.     Sarah,         „  May    7,  1804  ;  d.  May  11,  1839. 

51-116  Nathaniel  Hall  grad.  D.  C.   1790;   settled  minister  at 

Grantville,  N.Y.,  where  he  d.  July  31,  1820.     He  m.,  Jan. 
22, 1798,  Hannah,  dau.  of  Dea.  Daniel  Emerson,  of  Hollis, 
b.  Dec.  7,  1773,  and  d.  May.  22,  1832.     Children  :  — 
116-217     Hannah  E.,  b.  Nov.    9,  1798  ;  m.  Rev.  Abijah  Crane. 

...     ,,,.,,.  A  ,    ien1    (Attorney-General  N.  Y., 

218  Willis,  „Apr.     1,  1801;j1839.m^MrsHHandley; 

219  NathamelE.,  J  Granville,  N.Y. 

220  Eliza. 

221  Richard  B. 


222 


•n     -n?  Afo^    q   1Qin.J  Y.C.  1834;  m.D.E.  Ken- 

May    9,  1810;Jnedy.  d.  Apr.  24j  1852> 


223 

David  Brainerd, 

224 

Mary. 

225 

Edwards, 

51 

-116 

a. 

Joseph  rem 

116 

a.-225  a.     Nancy, 

b.     Joseph  M., 

c.     Lucinda, 

d.     Louis, 

e.     Willard, 

526  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


,  a  minister  at  Cleveland,  N.Y. 

Ham.  C,  1840. 

loved  to  New  Salem  ;  m.  Anna ,  and  had  — 

b.  Apr.  19,  1793. 

„  Nov.    2,  1794. 

„  June  19,  1797  ;  m.  Carter  Eliot. 

„  Nov.    2,  1799. 

„  May  25,  1802 ;  of  Milbury. 

52-117  Jonathan  Hall  m.  Mercy ,  and  had  — 

117-226    Elizabeth,  b.  March  19,  1755. 

52-118  Samuel  Hall  served  his  apprenticeship  with  his  uncle,  Daniel 

Fowle,  the  first  printer  in  N.H.  He  published,  in  1768,  the 
•'Essex  Gazette,"  at  Salem,  whence  he  removed,  in  1775,  to 
Cambridge,  where  he  published  the  "  N.  E.  Chronicle."  He 
moved  this- latter  to  Boston  the  next  year.  He  published  the 
"  Salem  Gazette"  again,  in  1781 ;  and,  in  178S,  the  "  Massa- 
chusetts Gazette."  In  1789,  he  opened  a  book-store  in  Boston, 
which  he  sold  to  Lincoln  and  Edmands  in  1805,  to  whom  Gould 
and  Lincoln  are  the  successors.    He  died  Oct.  10,  1807. 

66-130  Moses  Hall  m.  Martha ,  and  had  — 

130-227  John,  b.  Oct.     5,  1776. 

228  Moses,  „  Dec.     8,  1777. 

229  Martha,  „  Mar.     7,  1780. 

230  Mary  Kiesar,  „  Sept.  16,  1783. 

231  Moses,  „  Dec.  13,  1785. 

232  Elizabeth,        „  Apr.  11,  1787. 

233  James,  „  May  29,  1788. 

74-142  Ebenezer  Hall  m.  Eunice ,  and  had  — 

142-234     Martha,  b.  Apr.  20,  1798. 
235     Mary,      „  Feb.      6,  1802. 

80-147  Benjamin  Hall  m.  Lucy,  dau.  of  Dr.  Simon  and  Lucy  Tufts, 

Nov.  20,  1777,  and  had  — 
147-236     Dudley,     b.  Oct.   14,  1780. 

237  Lucy,         „  Mar.  27,  1783. 

238  Hepzibah,  „  Feb.    17,  1785. 

80-149  Fitch  Hall  m.,  May  14,  1783,  Judith  Brasher,  and  had  — 

149-239  Fitch,         b.  Jan.   25,  1785. 

240  Benjamin,  „  Feb.   27,  1786. 

241  William,     „  Mar.  21,  1790. 

80-150  Andrew  Hall  m.,  Apr.  19,  1789,  Eunice  Fitch,  and  had  — 

150-242  Charles  J.,  b.  Nov.  1,  1790. 
243  George  B.,  „  Oct.  5,  1791. 
243£  Eunice. 

87-160  Ebenezer  Ha.ll  m.,  March  8, 1796,  Eunice,  dau.  of  Capt.  Isaac 
Jones,  of  Boston,  and  had  — 

160-244  Martha,  b.  Apr.  20,  1798. 

245  Richard,  „  Aug.  22,  1800  ;  m.  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Hayward. 

246  Mary  Jane,  „  Feb.    7,  1802. 

247  William  J.,  „  May  20,  1805. 

248  Ann  Louisa,        „  Apr.  17,  1807  ;  d.  Dec.  14,  1834. 
*      249  Susan  Mitchell,  „  Nov.    7,  1808. 

250  Lucy  J.,  „  Oct.  15,  1812. 

251  Ebenezer,  „  Jan.  11,  1815. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  527 


89-169  Nathaniel  Hall  m.,  Nov.  26,  1793,  Joanna  Cotton  Brooks, 
and  had  — 

169-252  Caroline,  b.  Sept.  25,  1794. 

252£  Mary  Brooks. 

253  Nathaniel,  „  Jan.     4,  1799  ;  d.  young. 

254  Edward  B.,        „  Sept.    2,  1800  ;  H.  C.  1820. 

254^  Nathaniel,  „  Sept.  23,  1805  ;  min.  of  1st  ch.,  Dorchester. 

255  Peter  Chardon,  „  Dec.  26,  1809. 

98-189  Francis  Hall  m.  Elizabeth ,  and  had  — 

189-256  Elizabeth,  b.  May  6,  1785. 

147-236  Dudley  Hall  has  now  living,  of  ten  children,  — 

236-257  Dudley  C. 

258  George  D. 

259  Horace  D. 

260  Hephza,  m.  Henry  Bradlee. 

169-255  Peter  C.  Hall  m. ,  and  had  — 

255-261  Ann  Rose. 

262  Jane  Webb. 

263  Anna. 

264  Fanny  Maria. 


1  HANCOCK,  SOLOMON,  m.  H.  Tufts,  May  14,  1729,  and  had  — 

1-  2  Hannah,    bap.  1731. 

3  Samuel,        „     Apr.    2,  1732. 

4  Mary,  „     Dec.     2,  1733. 

5  Elizabeth,     „     Nov.  20,  1737. 

6  Samuel,        „    Jan.     7,  1739. 

For  further  records  of  the  Hancocks,  see  N.  E.  Hist,  and  Gen.  Register  for 
October,  1855. 

1  HARRIS,  ABNER,  m.  Elizabeth ,  and  had  — 

1-  2  Elizabeth,  b.  Mar.  15,  1710. 

3  Abner,        „  May  30,  1711. 

4  Jackson,     „  Jan.     9,  1712. 

5  Thomas,     „  Mar.    9,  1715. 


1  HATHAWAY,  NOAH,  b.  in  Freetown,  Mass.,  May  24,  1809 ; 

m.  Hannah  M.  Reed,  b.  June  23,  1811  ;  and  had  —  [N.H. 

1-  2  Henrietta  Maria,  b.  Mar.  14,  1831 ;  m.  H.  C.  Vose,  of  Claremont, 

3  George  W.,  „  May  11,1832.  [1854. 

4  Ellen  L.,  „  Sept.    8,1833;,,    Wm.  Butters,  jun.,  May  2, 

5  Gustavus  W.,       „  Nov.    7,  1834. 

6  Walter  S.,  „  Mav  31,  1836;  d.   Sept.  30,  1850. 

7  Nelson  F.,  „  Feb.  10,  1838. 

8  Eliza  G.,  „  Apr.     2,  1839. 

9  Rodney  C,  „  June  24,  1840. 

10  Susan  E.,  „  Oct.  24,  1841. 

11  Henry  R.,  „  Apr.     4,1843. 

12  Florence  A.,  „  Sept.  12,  1844. 

13  Wilber  A.,  „  May     9,  1846. 

14  Roland  H,  „  Sept.  24,  1847. 

15  Noah  S.,  „  July    7,  1849. 

16  Edward  A.,  „  May  25,  1851. 

17  Martha  A.,  „  July     7,  1852. 

18  William  C,  „  Sept.  14,  1853  ;  „     Sept.  27,  1853. 


528  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


HOWE,  JOSEPH,  was  born  in  Boston,  17 10,  where  he  died  in  1779. 
He  m.,  1st,  Mercy  Boardman,  in  1740,  who  d.  in  1747;  2d, 
Rebecca,  dau.  of  Capt.  Ralph  Hart,  by  whom  he  had  three  sons 
and  five  daughters. 

Joseph  Howe,  jun.,  b.  of  the  above,  in  1753,  d.  in  Boston,  1818. 
He  m.,  1st,  Sarah  Davis,  1776,  by  whom  he  had  three  sons  ;  2d, 
Margaret  Cotton,  in  1787,  —  issue,  one  daughter ;  and,  3d,  Sarah 
Simpson,  1789,  — issue,  one  son  and  three  daughters. 

John  Howe  was  born  in  Boston  in  1784  ;  and  moved  to  Medford, 
1813.  He  m.  Rebecca  Hey  wood,  of  Concord,  Mass.,  in  1808, 
who  d.  1820,  leaving  four  sons,  one  being  Humphrey  B.  (4)  ; 
2d,  m.  Sarah  L.  Symmes,  dau.  of  Nathan  Wait,  Esq.,  of  Med- 
ford, who  d.  1837. 

Henry  Wait,  b.  1822. 

George,  ,.   1824. 

3d,  he  m.  Elizabeth  W.  Butters,  1849. 

Humphrey  Barrett  Howe  b.  1815  ;  m.  Susan  Esther  Withington 
in  1852. 

Henry  Wait  Howe  m.  Nancy  Symmes,  dau.  of  Zechariah  Symmes, 
of  Winchester,  Ind.,  in  1853. 

George  Howe  m.  Angeline  A.  Johnson,  1853,  who  d.  1854,  leav- 
ing one  daughter. 


KENRICK,  EDWARD,  was  a  descendant  of  George  K.,  of 
Scituate,  freeman,  1635.  He  had  two  sons  by  his  first  wife,  — 
Thomas  and  Solomon ;  and  one  by  his  second,  —  Jonathan. 
This  last  d.  aged  38,  leaving  three  sons,  —  Samuel,  Anson,  and 
Jonathan.  Anson  had  a  son,  David,  who  had  David,  jun. 
This  last,  David,  jun.,  was  the  father  of  Coleman  C.  Kenrick,  for 
the  past  six  years  a  resident  of  Medford. 


The  KIDDER  family  was  settled,  for  several  centuries,  at  Maresfield,  in  the  county  of  Sus- 
sex, some  seventy  miles  from  London.  It  is  believed  that  the  only  persons  now  living  of  that 
name  can  be  traced  back  to  this  common  stock.  In  England,  the  most  distinguished  bearer 
of  this  name  was  Richard  Kidder,  Bishop  of  Bath  and  Wells.  He  was  born  in  1633,  at  East 
Grinstead,  the  birthplace  of  the  American  emigrant,  whose  kinsman  he  was.  He  was  Rector 
of  St.  Martin's,  London;  Prebend  of  Norwich,  1681;  Dean  of  Peterborough,  1689;  and  Bishop 
of  Bath,  1691.  He  was  killed,  during  the  great  gale  of  Nov.  27,  1703,  by  the  fall  of  a  chimney 
on  the  bishop's  palace  at  Wells,  which  crushed  him  and  his  wife  while  at  prayers.  His  daugh- 
ter, Ann,  died  unmarried;  and  her  only  sister.  Susanna,  married  Sir  Richard  Everard,  one  of 
the  early  governors  of  South  Carolina,  and  has  numerous  descendants  alive  in  that  State. 

The  pedigree  of  the  American  branch,  in  the  direct  line,  is:  Richard  Kidder  (1)  was  living 
at  Maresfield,  1492;  his  son,  Richard  (2),  d.  1549,  leaving  eldest  son,  Richard  (3),  who  d.  1563; 

m.  Margaret  ,  who  d.  1545.     This   Richard  (3)  had  five  sons,  of  whom  John  (4),  the 

third,  m.  Margaret  Norman,  of  Little  Horsted,  and  d.  1599,  leaving  two  sons  and  several 
daughters.  John  (5),  oldest  son  of  the  last,  baptized  1561,  m.  Joan  Beorge,  and  died  in  1616, 
leaving  four  sons.  James  (6),  the  youngest  of  these,  b.  1595,  was  the  father  of  James  (7),  b., 
1626,  at  East  Grinstead,  who  moved  to  New  England,  and  married  Anna  Moore,  of  Camb.,  N.E., 
in  1649.  This  foregoing  pedigree  is  condensed  from  one  in  the  History  of  New  Ipswich,  pre- 
pared by  Frederick  Kidder,  a  co-editor  of  that  work. 

7  James  Kidder  resided  first  at  a  farm  on  the  north  side  of  Fresh  Pond 

and  Menotomy  River,  whence  he  removed  to  Shawshinc,  now 
Billerica.  He  had  twelve  children,  of  whom  Samuel  (8)  was 
the  youngest,  who  left  children.  He  was  b.  Jan.  7,  1666 ;  m. 
Sarah  Griggs,  Dec.  23,  1689,  and  lived  near  Porter's  Hotel,  in 
Camb.,  where  the  names  of  Kidder's  Swamp  and  Kidder's  Lane 
still  preserve  his  memory.  He  was  deacon  of  the  church  ;  and 
the  inventory  of  his  estate  was  £1,138.  He  had  six  children; 
the  oldest  was  — 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  529 

8-  9  Francis  Kidder,  of  Medford,  b.  1692  ;  m.  Mary  Prentice,  Feb. 

13,  1718.     He  d.  Jan.  21,  1721 ;  and  his  widow  m.  Philip  Cook 
in  1775.     His  children  were  — 
9-10     Mary. 

11  Samuel,  b.  1720. 

12  James. 

13  Francis. 

9-11  Samuel  Kidder  m.,  1st,  Marv  Tompson,  March  20,  1744,  who  d., 

aged  42,  Mar.  30,  1766,  leaving  — 
11-14     Samuel,      b.  Sept.  17,  1746. 

15  Elizabeth,  „  Dec,     6,  1750. 

He  m.,  2d,  Joanna ,  Avho  d.  Oct.  19,  1819,  aged  79.     He 

d.  Mar.  6,  1777,  and  had  — 

16  Joanna,    b.  Oct.    19,  1770;  d.,  unm.,  Apr.  6,  1811. 

17  Rebecca,  „  Sept.  11,  1772  ;  m.  Abijah  Usher,  Dec.  20,  1795. 

18  Mary,       „  Apr.  28,  1774. 

19  James,      „  Apr.  30,  1776. 

11-14  Samuel  Kidder,  jun.,  m.  Mary  Greenleaf,  May  19,  1778,  who  d. 
Apr.  1,  1830,  aged  78.     He  d.  Dec.  16,  1821,  leaving  — 

14-20  Mary,  b.  Apr.     1,  1779  ;  m.  Benjamin  Abbot,  of  Andover. 

21  Samuel,        „  Sept.    4,  1781 ;    „  Hannah  P.  Rogers. 

22  William,      „  Dec.  10,  1784  ;    „  Charlotte  Adams. 

23  Thompson,  „  Apr.  17,  1788  ;    „  M.  A.  Cannell;  d.  July  5,  1840. 

24  Francis,        „  July  16,  1789;    „  E.  Blanchard;  d.  May  11, 1827. 

25  Joseph,         „  Apr.  30,1791;    „  N.  J.  Homer,  and  is  still  alive. 

26  James,  „  Nov.     1,  1793  ;  d.,  Mar.  20,  1837,  unm. 

Ephraim  Kidder  m.  Rachel ,  and  had  — 

Kg*}"- Sept  *.'«>«• 

'  m.  Caleb  Brool 
of  Woburn,  m 
of  Charlestown 

d.  Nov.    5,  1801,  aged  19,  )   ,       , 
„  June  13,  1802,     „     15,  SCn 
„  Oct.   23,  1814,     „     12,  ) 


Mary    Kidder  m.  Caleb  Brooks,  Jan.  1,  1767. 

Isaac  „       of  Woburn,  m.  Ann  Goodwin,  Nov.  25,  1775. 

Mary         „       of  Charlestown,  d.  Jan.  19,  1779. 

Susanna    „       d.  Nov.    5,  1801,  aged  19,  ^   h     f  ,  d  gusan. 

Rebec!    "       "^5     "     &  I  na  Kidder. 


1  KNOX,  MOSES,  son  of  John  and  Nancy  (Cochran)  Knox,  was 

b.  in  Pembroke,  N.H.,  Aug.  4,  1812  ;  m.,  May  23,  1839,  Abi- 
gail, dau.  of  Edward  S.  and  Persis  Phipps  Walker,  of  Charles- 
town ;  and  has  — 

1-  2    Joseph  Henry,     b.  Aug.  27,  1842. 

3  William  Penn,     „  Mar.    2,  1845. 

4  Mary  Adelaide,    „  Feb.  11,  1849. 

5  Moses  Edwards,  „  Mar.    5,  1855. 

Sir  Robert  Lawrence,  of  Ashtoa  Hall,  was  a  descendant  of  Sir  Robert  Lawrence,  knighted 
about  1190.  This  Sir  Robert,  of  Ashton,  had  a  third  son,  Nicholas  Lawrence,  of  Agercroft, 
whose  fourth  son  was  John,  who  d.  1461,  leaving  a  son,  Thomas  L.,  of  Hamburgh,  in  Suffolk. 
This  Thomas  d.  1471,  leaving  John  Lawrence,  oldest  son,  whose  will  is  dated  1504.  John  had 
an  only  son,  Robert,  whose  son,  John  (will  dated  1556),  was  the  father  ofllenry,  John,  William, 
and  Richard.  Of  these,  John  d.  Mav,  1590 :  his  oldest  son,  John,  settled  at  Wisset  (will  dated 
1607),  and  had  son,  Henry  Lawrence",  of  Wisset.  This  Henry  was  father  of  John  and  Robert; 
and  with  this  John,  who  emigrated  to  America,  our  record  commences. 

1  LAWRENCE,  JOHN,  of  St.  Alban's,  came   to  Watertown   in 

1635.     He  m.,  1st,  Elizabeth ,  who  d.  Aug.  29,  1663;  and 

2d,  Nov.  2,  1664,  Susanna  Batchelder.     He  d.  at  Groton,  July 
11,  1667.     His  seventh  child  was  — 
67 


530  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


1-  2  Enoch  Lawrence,  b.  5th  day,  1st  mo.,  1648-9  ;  m.,  Mar.  6,  1667, 

Ruth  Shattuck  ;  and  d.  Sept.  28,  1744.     His  children  were  — 

2-  3     Nathaniel,  b.  Feb.  21,  1678. 

4  Daniel,         „  Mar.    7,  1681. 

5  Zechariah,  „   16,5mo.,1683. 

6  Jeremiah,     „  May     1,  1686. 

2-  3  Nathaniel  Lawrence  m.  Anna  ;  and  d.  Sept.  12,  1765. 

His  wife  d.  Sept.  31,  1758,  aged  73.     The  second  son  was  — 

3-  7     James  Lawrence,  b.  Aug.  26,  1705  ;  m.  Mary  Martin,  1733  ;  and 

d.  Jan.  27,  1800.     His  wife  d.  1799,  aged  87.     He  had  — 

7-  8  Lemuel  Lawrence,  b.   1745 ;   m.  Sarah  Williams,  Jan.,  1768  ; 

and,  dying  April  24,  1733,  left  — 
8-  9     Sarah,     b.  Oct.   13,  1768. 

10  Lemuel,  „  Aug.    6,  1770. 

11  Olive,      „  Feb.  13,  1772. 

8-10  Lemuel   Lawrence   m.  Mercy  Perham,  Nov.  5,   1794;  and  d. 

Sept.  20,  1832.     He  had  — 
10-12     Lemuel,  b.  Sept.    1,  1795. 

13  Daniel,     „  Sept.  12,  1797. 

14  Clarissa,  „  Oct.   29,  1799. 

15  Sarah,      „  Aug.  23,  1806. 

10-13  Daniel  Lawrence  m.  Elizabeth  Crocker,  Sept.  25,  1823,  and 
has  — 

13-16  Mary  Ann,  b.  Jan.  29,  1827. 

17  Daniel  Warren,       „  Oct.     8,  1830. 

18  Samuel  Crocker,     „  Nov.  22,  1832. 

19  Elizabeth  Maria,     „  Aug.    5,  1835  ;  m.  G.  L.  Barr,  Nov.  20, 1851. 

20  Rosewell  Bigelow,  „  Dec.  22,  1838. 

21  William  Harrison,  „  July  24,  1840. 

13-17  Daniel  W.  Lawrence  m.  Mary  Ellen  Wilder,  Oct.  18,  1S51,  and 

has  — 
17-22     George  W.,  b.  Nov.  8,  1852. 


LEATHE,  BENJAMIN,  son  of  Francis  and  Sarah,  b.  July  12, 
1714. 


1  LETHERBEE  (or  LARIBEE),  STEPHEN,  had,  by  wife  Mar- 

garet, — 
1-  2     Hannah,    b.  May  14,  1707. 

3  Margaret,  „  Feb.  22,  1709. 

4  John,         „  May  14,  1715. 


1  LOCKE,  FRANCIS,  m.  Elizabeth  Winship,  Feb.  25,  1713,  and 

had  — 
1-  2     Samuel,      b.  Jan.  15,  1714. 
Elizabeth,  „  June  17,  1716. 


1  MANSOR,  WILLIAM,  and  Lydia,  his  wife,  had  — 

1-  2     Lydia,  b.  Apr.  10,  1716;  d.  Aug.  20,  1717. 
3     Lydia,  „  July  29,  1718. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES. 

1 

NUTTING, 

EBENEZER,  and  Lydia,  h; 

1-  2 

Lydia,         1 

>.  Nov.    5,  1692. 

3 

Jonathan,    , 

,  Jan.  31,  1695. 

4 

Sarah, 

,  Aug.  11,  1698. 

5 

Ebenezcr,    , 

,  Aug.    9,  1700. 

6 

James,         , 

,  Jan.  31,  1704. 

7 

Josiah,         , 

,  Feb.  28,  1706. 

8 

John,           , 

,  Apr.  23,  1709. 

9 

Benjamin,  ,, 

,   Sept.    7,  1711. 

10 

Mary,          , 

,   Mar.     1,  1714. 

531 


1  OAKES,  THOMAS,  m.,  2d,  Abigail  Brooks,  Oct.  27,  1720 ;  and 

had  by  her,  -who  d.  June  31,  1728,  — 
1-  2    Abigail,     b.  Sept.    2,  1721. 

3  Thomas,    „  Jan.  28,  1723. 

4  Ebenezer,  „  Sept.  28,  1725. 

5  Sarah,         „  Mar.    2,  1727. 

6  Caleb,        „  June  31,  1728. 

His  first  wife,  Elizabeth,  d.  Feb.  3,  1718. 


1  OLDHAM,  THOMAS,  of  Scituate,  1650,  and  in  1635  aged  ten  per- 

haps ;  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Rev. William  Witherell,  of  Scituate,  1656, 
by  whom  he  had  Mary,  Thomas,  Sarah,  Hannah,  Grace,  Isaac  (2), 
Ruth,  Elizabeth,  and  Lydia.     He  d.  1711. 

1-  2    Isaac  Oldham,  b.  about  1670,  went  to  Pembroke  about  1703,  where 

he  m.  Mary  Keen,  and  had  two  daus.,  and  a  son,  — 

2-  3    Isaac  Oldham,  who  m.  Mary  Stetson,  and  had  — 

3-  4    Isaac. 

5  Hannah. 

6  Deborah. 

7  David.       > 

8  Jonathan.  $ 

9  Mary. 

10  John. 

11  Daniel. 

12  Lydia. 

13  Ruth. 

14  Abel,  of  Winchester,  N.H. 

3-  8  Jonathan  Oldham  m.  Patience  Clapp,  of  Scituate,  and  had  — 

8-15  Joseph  Oldham,  who  m.  Grace  Tilden,  of  Marshfield,  and  had  — 

15-16  Joseph,  d.  s.;;. 

17  Jonathan,  m.  Eunice  Faxon.* 

18  Grace. 

*  He  had  Clara,  Loring,  and  Eunice. 

1  OSGOOD,  DAVID,  b.  Oct.  25,  1747 ;  m.  Hannah  Breed,  Nov.  1, 

1786,  who  was  b.  Dec.  28,  1747  ;  and  had  — 
1-  2    Mary,   b.  Sept.  12,  1787. 

3  Lucy,   „  Apr.    8,  1789 ;  d.   Apr.  22,  1789. 

4  Lucv,    „  June  17,  1791. 

5  David,  „  Dec.  23,  1793  ;  m.  Mary  Ann  Elder. 


PARKER,  BENJAMIN,  who  d.  Oct.  26,  1761,  m.  Mary  Willis, 
Apr.  22,  1714.     She  d.  Aug.  20,  1763. 


532  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


1  PATCH,  THOMAS,  came  from  Somersetshire,  England,  and  set- 

tled in  Wenham,  Mass.  He  had  six  sons,  as  given  below  ;  and 
two  daughters,  names  unknown. 

1-  2    Thomas. 

3  Isaac,  b.  1682. 

4  Ephraim. 

5  Timothy. 

6  Stephen. 

7  Simon. 

1-  3  Isaac  Patch  m.  Edith  Edwards,  and  lived  in  Newton,  afterwards  in 

Concord,  and  lastly  in  Groton,  where  he  d.,  July  12,  1762,  aged 
80.     His  wife  survived  him,  and  d.  aged  about  100  years.     His 
children  were  — 
3-  8     Lois. 
9     Sarah. 

10  Thomas. 

11  Lydia. 

12  Isaac. 

13  Edith. 

14  Ebenezer. 

15  Lois. 

16  Ephraim. 

17  Mary. 

3-14  Ebenezer  Patch  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Jacob  Wright,  in  1746.    He 

had  fourteen  children,  eight  of  whom  died  young.  The  sur- 
viving children  were  — 


1-18 

Jacob, 

b.  Apr.    5, 

1747. 

19 

Simon, 

„  July  11, 

1749. 

20 

Oliver, 

„  Feb.  10, 

1751. 

21 

Benjamin, 

„  May  23, 

1754. 

22 

Puth, 

„  June  23, 

1763. 

23 

Ede, 

„  Apr.     2, 

1769. 

Of  these  children,  Oliver  -was  wounded  in  the  right  shoulder  at  the  battle 
of  Bunker  Hill.  Simon  was  wounded  in  his  thigh  at  the  hattle  of  White 
Plains;  and,  being  carried  home  to  Groton,  died  there,  Dec.  31, 1776,  aged  27. 
The  mother,  Sarah  (Wright)  Patch,  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  Jan.  19, 
1777,  m.  Samuel  Chamberlain,  December,  1784;  and  d.  June  12, 1793. 

14-20  Oliver  Patch  m.  Alethea,  dau.  of  Silas  Blood,  Jan.  26,  1778,  and 
had  — 

20-24  Oliver,     b.  Nov.  30,  1778. 

25  William,  „  Sept.  14,  1780. 

26  Reuben,   „  Jan.     8,  1783. 

27  Henry,      „  Jan.     4,  1785  ;  d.  Aug.  19,  1803. 

28  Luther,     „  Oct.     5,  1788  ;  left  Marlb.,  1805,  and  never  returned. 

29  Nahum,   „  Mar.  30,  1792. 

20-24  Oliver  Patch  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Oliver  Shattuck  (a  descendant 

of  William  Shattuck,  of  Water  town,  1642),  and  lived  in  Haw- 
ley.     He  had  — 
24-30    Lucy  Longley,  b.  Sept.    3,  1805. 

31  Henry,  „  Nov.  30,  1806  ;  d.  Jan.  4,  1849. 

32  Fidelia,  „  Feb.  14,  1808 ;  „  June  1,  1836. 

33  Electa  S.,  „  July  23,  1810. 

34  Franklin,  „  July    3,  1815. 

24-34  Franklin  Patch  m.  Ann,  dau.  of  John  Brown,  of  Eastham,  Jan. 

19,  1843,  and  lived  in  Boston.     He  moved  to  Medford,  1849, 
and  had  — 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES. 


-;;.» 

Emcrctt  0.,  b.  Mar. 

8, 

1844. 

36 

Herbert  L.,  „  Oct. 

16, 

1845; 

d.  Nov.  10,  1847. 

37 

Charles  A.,  „  Oct. 

1, 

1848; 

„  Dec.     4,  1848. 

33 

Oscar  L.,       ,,  Jan. 

13, 

18-32. 

PATERSON,  JAMES,  son  of  Andrew  and  Elizabeth,  b.  Oct.  5, 
1707. 


1  PATTEN,  WILLIAM,  m.  Abigail  Willis,  Jan.  3,  1701,  who  d. 

Feb.  19,  1725,  aged  48  ;  and  had  — 
1-  2     John,       b.  Jan.     1,  1713. 

3  Aaron,     „  Apr.  16,  1717. 

4  Thomas,  „  Feb.  20,  1719. 

William  Patten  d.  Sept.  7,  1741,  aged  69  ;  b.  1672. 

5  William  Patten  m.  Anna  Seccomb,  Nov.  17,  1727,  and  had  — 

5-  6  George,      b.  Sept.    4,  1729  ;  d.  aged  3  mos. 

7  Lucy,         „  Dec.  24,  1730. 

8  Anne,         „  Mar.    4,  1732. 

9  George,      „  Nov.    9,  1733  ;  „  Feb.  24,  1740. 

10  Jonathan,  „  July     7,  1738;  „  July  28,  1790. 

11  Rebecca,    „  Apr.  11,  1742;  „  same  year. 

12  Abigail,     „  June    2,  1744. 

13  Thomas  Patten  m.  Mary  Tufts,  Jan.  10,  1745,  who  d.  Aug.  28, 

1764;  and,  2d,  Mary  Binford,  Jan.  8,  1765.  He  d.  Nov.  26, 
1786.     Children :  — 

13-14    Mary,  b.  July  10,  1747. 

15  John  Patten  m.  Priscilla ,  and  had  — 

15-16    Mary,  d.  Dec.  29,  1752. 

Lucy  Patten  m.  Samuel  Hall,  Nov.  27,  1751. 
Jonathan  „  „  S.  Bradshaw,  Apr.  14,  1762. 
Mary  „        „    Henry  Fowle,  Jan.  8,  1766. 

Mrs.  Mary   „        d.  Mar.  15,  1773. 


1  PELRCE,  NATHANIEL,  m.  Lydia ,  and  had  — 

1-  2  Hannah,  b.  Apr.  27,  1702. 

3  Francis,   „  Sept.  24,  1704. 

4  Lydia,       „  Feb.  24,  1707. 

5  Abigail,    „  Feb.     5,  1710. 

6  Benoni,    „  Feb.  24,  1712. 

7  Mary,       „  Mar.    2,  1714. 

8  Benjamin  Peirce  m.  Sarah  Hall,  Dec.  2,  1702,  and  had  — 

8-  9  Benjamin,  b.  Apr.     7,  1707. 

10  Sarah,  „  Mar.  11,  1710. 

11  Eleanor,      „  Feb.  13,  1712. 

12  Thomas,      „  Aug.  11,  1714. 

13  Susanna,     „  Jan.   29,  1717. 

His  widow  d.  Mar.,  1764,  aged  85. 

14  Ichabod  Peirce  m.  Sarah ,  and  had  — 

14-15  Sarah,         b.  July  14,  1709. 

16  Robert,       „  Nov.  29,  1711. 

17  Nathaniel,  „  Aug.    2,1713. 

18  Rebecca,     „  Aug.    5,  1716. 

19  Jonathan,   „   Oct.     8,  1717. 


534  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


PERKINS,  JONATHAN,  was  b.  in  Middleton,  Mass.,  in  1791. 
His  grandfather  is  believed  to  have  emigrated  from  England  to 
this  town,  which  latter  place  was  the  birthplace  of  his  father. 
This  emigrant  ancestor  had  twenty-four  children,  of  whom  An- 
drew m.  Phebo  Eliot,  grand-daughter  of  the  Rev.  Andrew 
Peters,  of  Middleton ;  and  had  eleven  children,  nine  of  whom 
are  now  living.     Of  these,  — 

Jonathan  Perkins  m.,  in  1823, ,  fourth  daughter  of  Nathan 

Wait,  Esq.,  by  whom  he  had  six  children,  four  of  whom  are  now 
alive. 


PERRY,  SANFORD  B.,  b.  Sept.  20,  1819,  in  Leicester,  was  son 
of  William  Perry,  who  was  born  there,  Apr.  12, 1797.  William 
was  the  son  of  Abijah  Perry,  b.  in  Princeton,  Aug.  3,  1764,  — 
son  of  Aaron  Perry,  b.  in  Mendon,  Apr.  17,  1733.  The  father 
of  Aaron  was  John  P.,  who  is  supposed  to  be  a  descendant  of 
Edmund  Perry,  who  settled  in  N.E.  about  1650.  Sanford  B. 
Perry  m.  Sarah  Jane  Barr,  b.  of  James  Barr,  in  New  Ipswich, 
July  11,  1827.  Her  father  was  b.  May  23,  1790  ;  and  his  father, 
James,  b.  in  Kilbarchan,  co.  of  Renfrew,  Dec.  12,  1752,  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States,  June  22,  1774. 


1  POLLY,  SAMUEL,  and  Elizabeth,  had  — 

1-  2  Samuel,      b.  Nov.    3,  1714. 

3  Elizabeth,  „  May  13,  1716. 

4  Ruth,         „  Eeb.  25,  1718. 

5  John,  „  Aug.    6,  1719  ;  d.  Mar.  15,  1721, 

6  Susanna,    „  1721;  „  Apr.  16,1721. 

7  Sarah,        „  Mar.    7,  1729. 


1  PORTER,  JOHN  (1),  was  of  Windsor,  Ct.,  in  1638  ;  will  proved, 

June,  1649  ;  and  had  — 

1-2     Samuel,  m.  Hannah  Stanley  ;  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Had- 
ley,  in  1659  ;  and  d.  1689,  leaving  seven  children. 

2-  3     Samuel  Porter,  son  of  the  last,  was  b.  Apr.  6,  1660  ;  afterwards 

judge ;  m.  Joanna,  dau.  of  Aaron  Cook,  of  Hadley.  He  d.  July 
29,  1722,  aged  62,  leaving  three  sons  and  four  daughters. 

3-  4     Rev.  Aaron  Porter,  second  son  and  third  child  of  the  last,  was  b. 

July  19,  1689.  Grad.  H.  C,  1708 ;  and  m.,  in  1709,  Susanna 
Sewall,  sister  of  the  chief  justice;  and  had  — 

4-  5     Aaron,      b.  July    9,  1714 ;  d.     young. 

6  Susanna,  „  Mar.    1,  1716;  m.,  Aug.  4, 1739,  Rev.  A.  Cleveland. 

7  Margaret,,,  July  18,  1717. 

8  Joanna,     „  Mar.  22,  1719  ;    „    Jan.  1,  1735,  Josiah  Cleveland. 

lie  died  Jan.  24, 1722,  and  has  many  descendants  through  the  Clevelands; 
especially,  of  those  now  alive,  are  Rev.  Charles  Cleveland,  of  Boston,  and  Pro- 
fessor Charles  D.  Cleveland,  of  Philadelphia. 

9  Porter,  John,  came  from  England,  1632;  of  Salem,  1637;  was 

made  freeman,  1646.  Had  children,  who  settled  at  Topsfield 
and  Wenham,  from  which  latter  place  Deacon  William  Porter 
removed  to  Braintree,  about  1740  ;  his  son,  Jonathan,  moved  to 
Maiden,  about  1755  ;  and  Am  son,  Jonathan,  jun.,  moved  thence  to 
Medford,  1773.     He  m.  Phebe  Abbott,  of  Andover,  and  had  — 

9-10     Jonathan,  b.  Nov.  13,  1791 ;  m.  Catharine  Gray. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  535 


11  Henry,         b.  Nov.    9,  1793  ;  m.  Susan  S.  Tidd. 

12  Sarah,  „  June    7,  1795  ;  d.  1815. 

13  Charlotte,  m.  Hc/.ekiah  Blanchard. 

14  George,        „  Aug.  26,  1799  ;  d.  young. 

15  George  W.,  „  Jan.  26,  1S01 ;  m.  Elizabeth  Hall. 

16  Augusta,  ,,  James  T.  Woodbury. 

Jonathan  Porter  d.  Nov.,  1817. 


1  RAYMOND,  WILLIAM,  is  said  to  have  emigrated  with  two 

brothers,  Richard  and  William,  and  to  have  been  concerned  in 
lands  held  under  John  Mason,  in  N.H. ;  and  lived  at  Ports- 
mouth, 1631.  Of  these,  Richard  was  freeman,  163-1 :  John  d. 
Jan.  18,  1703,  aged  S7  ;  and  William  was  of  Salem,  1648,  after- 
wards of  Beverly,  where  he  was  representative,  1685  and  1686. 
He  was  a  captain  of  Beverly  trpops,  and  had,  for  his  services,  a 
grant  of  land,  where  Dunbarton,  N.H.,  now  is.  He  d.  Jan.  29, 
1709,  aged  72.  He  m.,  1st,  Hannah  Bishop;  2d,  Ruth  Hall; 
by  each  of  them  leaving  issue.     His  children  were  — 

1-  2     Mary. 

3  William. 

4  Daniel,  b.  Nov.  25,  1691. 

5  Paul. 

4  Daniel  Raymond  m.  Abigail  Balch,  Mar.  11,  1714,  and  moved  to 

Marblehead.  He  and  his  oldest  son  died  in  1745,  during  the 
expedition  against  Louisburg.     His  youngest  son,  — 

4-  6  Freeborn  Raymond,  b.  Feb.  20,  1741,  m.  Mary  Young,  and 
moved  to  Athol.  By  a  second  wife,  Sarah  Powers,  he  had  three 
sons  and  six  daughters.     He  d.  Feb.  11,  1817. 

7  Freeborn  Raymond,  oldest  son  of  the  last  named,  was  b.  June  4, 

1765  ;  m.,  3d,  Jane  Rich,  Mar.  9,  1801 ;  and  had,  by  her,  five 
sons  and  four  daughters.     He  d.  July  3,  1824. 

7-  8     Thatcher  R.  Raymond,  third  son  of  the  last,  was  b.  Mar.  9, 1808  ; 

m.,  1st,  Oct.  26,  1831,  Helen  M.  Wilder,  who  d.  Sept.  8,  1835; 
2d,  Caroline  L.  Blanchard,  Mar.  9,  1837,  who  d.  Mar.  14, 
1839 ;  3d,  Jan.  26,  1841,  Jane  E.  Bartlett,  by  whom  he  has  — 

8-  9     Caroline  Louisa,  b.  Sept.  12,  1846. 
10    Elizabeth  B.,        „  Nov.    3,  1848. 

Is  now  a  citizen  of  Medford. 


1  REED,  HENRY,  b.  Jan.  27,  1785  ;  m.,  Aug.  23,  1810,  Hannah 

S.  Greenleaf,  who  was  b.  Apr.  5,  1784.  He  d.  Oct.  13,  1827, 
and  had  — 

1-  2     Hannah  M.,  b.  June  23,  1811 ;  m.  Noah  Hathaway. 

3  Susanna  E.,  „  Feb.  15,  1813;  „    N.  Johnson. 

4  Martha  W.,  „  May  30,  1817;  d.   July  12,  1817. 

5  Henry  F.,      „  June  15,  1818. 

6  Isaac  R.,       „  Dec.  17,  1820  ;  m.  Mary  Merrill. 

7  Rebecca  G.,  „  Sept.    1,  1823. 

1  REEVES,  JOHN,  embarked,  Mar.  16,  1634,  aged  19,  for  New 
England,  on  board  the  "  Christian,"  from  London,  and  settled 
in  Salem,  where  land  was  granted  him  in  1643.  His  first  wife 
was  Jane ;  and  2d,  Elizabeth .     His  children  were  — 

1-  2     William! 

3  Freeborn,  b.  Mar.  10,  1658. 

4  Benjamin,  „  Dec.  30,  1661. 


536  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


1-  2  William    Reeves    m.   Elizabeth    Collins,   Mar.    14,    1669,   and 

had  — 

2-  5  John. 

6  Cochran. 

7  Elizabeth. 

2-  6  Cochran  Reeves  m.,  1st,  Judith ;  2d,  Elizabeth  Robinson, 

July  17,  1723;  and  had  — 

6-  8  Samuel,      b.  Jan.,  1708 ;  d.   Oct.   9,  1791. 

9  William,     „  Dec,  1710. 

10  Susanna,     „  Mar.,  1713;  m.  John  Clough. 

11  Elizabeth,  „  Oct.,   1715;    „  Holman. 

12  Nathaniel,  „  Mercy  Dudley. 

13  Jacob,  „  Aug.,  1720. 

14  Mary,  „  July,   1724 ;    „  Palmer. 

15  John,  „  Feb.,  1725. 

16  Benjamin,  „  1730. 

6-  8  Samuel  Reeves  m.  Elizabeth ,  1733,  who  d.  Apr.  23,  1759, 

aged  51.     He  d.  Oct.  9,  1791,  and  had  — 

8-16a.  Elizabeth,  b.  1734  ;  m.  Isaac  Warren,  Oct.  3,  1751. 

b.  Judith,        „   1735  ;    „  Joseph  Albree,  Dec.  23,  1756. 

c.  Hannah,     „  1738  ;  d.,  unm.,  Feb.  26,  1791. 

d.  Thomas,     ,,1741;,,    Feb.  12,  1755. 

6-13  Jacob  Reeves  m.  Abigail  Ferguson  ;  lived  some  time  atRoxbury, 
and  moved  thence  to  Wayland.     He  had  — 

13-17  Nathaniel,  b.  Mar.    6,  1749. 

18  Elizabeth,  „  Dec.  25.  1753 ;  m.  Thomas  Heard. 

19  Naomi,        „  Mar.  12,  1756;  d.    young. 

20  Mary,  „  July  12,  1758. 

21  Anne,  m.  Jona.  Underwood. 

22  Jacob,         „  Jan.  31,  1763;    „   Elizabeth  Robinson. 

23  Samuel,      ,,  Apr.  15,  1765;    „    Abigail  Parris. 

13-17  Nathaniel  Reeves  m.,  1st,  Dorothy  Hoar;  2d,  Eunice  Noyes ; 
and  had  — 

17-24  Nathaniel,       b.  Aug.  15,  1771 ;  d.  Feb.     3,  1772. 

25  Nathaniel,       „  Jan.  23,  1777 ;  „  July     6,  1779. 

26  Eunice,  „  May     6,1779;  „  Aug.  17,  1785. 

27  Nathaniel,        „   Sept.  15,  1781;  „  Nov.  14,  1815. 

28  Abigail,  „   Oct.     8,  1783 ;  „  Jan.   30,  1830. 

29  Jonas  Noyes,   „  June  11,  1786;  „  Feb.  18,  1835. 

30  Henry,  „  Mar.  21,  1789. 

13-22  Jacob  Reeves  m.  Elizabeth  Robinson,  and  had  — 

22-31  Samuel,   b.  June  20,  1785  ;  d.    Oct.   28,1814. 

32  Nancy,     „  May  30,  1787  ;  „     Apr.  28,  1816. 

33  Hervey,    „   Apr.  13,  1789;  m.  Lucretia  Bond. 

34  Walter,    „  May  25,  1791;    „   Elmira  Griffin. 

35  Jacob,       „  Mar.  29,  1793;  d.   Sept.  25,  1818. 

36  Charles,    „  June  18,  1795 ;  „    Jan.   24,  1796. 

37  Hannah,  „   Oct.   29,  1796. 

38  Charles,   „  Dec.  26,  1798;  „    Sept.  18,  1801. 

39  Dexter,     „Oct.     2,  1800;  m.  Margaret  P.  Troufattcr. 

40  Elisa  E.,  „  Aug.  17,  1804 ;  d.   Nov.  15,  1804. 

13-23  Samuel  Reeves  m.  Abigail  Parris,  and  lived  in  Hope,  Me.     He 
had  — 

23-41  Clarissa,    b.  Apr.  22,  1786;  m.  Job  Morse. 

42  Sylvester,  „  Oct.   18,  1789. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  537 


43  Sarah,        b.  May  30,  1795. 

44  Elisa,         „  Feb.     6,  1800. 

45  Elmira,      „  Aug.  10,  1804. 

17-27  Nathaniel  Reeves  m.  Milicent  Rice,  and  lived  in  Wayland.     lie 

had  — 
27-46     Einrneline  A.,  b.  June  10,  1810  ;  m.  James  S.  Draper. 

47  Caroline,  „  June    1,  1812. 

48  Cordelia,  „   Sept.  29,  1814  ;    „  Dr.  Alex.  Jackson,  Plymouth. 

17-29  Jonas  N.  Reeves  m.  Nancy  Heard ;   lived  in  Templeton;   and 
had  — 

29-49  Thomas  Heard,  b.  Oct.   20,  1817. 

50  Nancy,  „  Apr.  20,  1820  ;  m.  Cyrus  Cheney. 

51  George  H.,  „  Jan.   30,  1822;  d.    Aug.  22,  1822. 

52  Albert,  „   July  16,  1823 ;  „    Aug.    5,  1825. 

53  Francis,  „  July  30,  1825. 

54  Jacob  H.,  „  Feb.  24,  1829. 

17-30  Henry  Reeves   m.   Nancy   Gleason ;    lives  in  Wayland;    and 
had  — 

30-55  Mary  Ann,      b  Apr.    8,  1817;  d.  Nov.  15,  1823. 

56  Catharine  G.,  „  Apr.     2,1819;  „   Sept.  26,  1837. 

57  Henry,  „  Feb.  25,  1821 ;  „  Nov.  16,  1823. 

58  Nancy  G.,        „  Mar.  13,  1823  ;  m.E.  Packard;  d.  July  10,  1845. 

59  Mary  E.,  „  Aug.  15,  1825. 

60  Licentia,  „   Oct.  27,  1827. 

22-33  Heryey  Reeves  m.,   1st,  Phebe  ;    2d,  Lucretia  Bond,  by 

whom  he  had  — 
33-61     Samuel  D.,  b.  Feb.     2,  1818. 

62  Ellen  P.,        „  Apr.  27,  1824. 

63  James  H.,      „  June  30,  1828. 

64  Francis  W.,  „  May    3,  1831. 

22-34  Walter  Reeves  m.  Elmira  Griffin.     He  lives  at  Wayland,  and 
has  — 

34-65  Nancy  G.,    b.  June  21,  1821  ;  m.  Abner  Rice,  of  Natick. 

66  Eliza  E.,       „  Sept.  23,  1822  ;   „    John  Dane,  of  Clinton. 

67  Charles  W.,  „  Apr.  17,  1825. 

68  Sarah  G.,      „  Sept.  17,  1827  ;   „    Ed.  Rice,  jun.,  of  Wayland. 

69  Emma  L.,      „   Sept.  30,  1833. 

70  Adeline  R.,  „  Oct.  20,  1835. 

22-39  Dexter  Reeves  m.  Margaret  P.  Troufatter,  and  lives  in  Boston. 

Child :  — 
39-71     Dexter,  b.  Aug.,  1834. 

23-42  Sylvester  Reeves  m.  Milicent,  widow  of  Nathaniel  Reeves,  jun., 

and  has  — 
42-72     Nathaniel,  b.  July  22,  1820. 
73     Sylvester,    „  May  30,  1823. 


i  RICHARDSON,  JOHN,  and  Abigail,  his  wife,  had  - 

1-  2  Joshua,     b.  Sept.  22,  1714. 

3  Abigail,    „  July  23,  1716. 

4  Susanna,  „  May     2,  1718. 

5  John,        „  May  29,  1721. 

6  James,      „  June  15,  1725. 

7  Joseph,     „  Aug.  16,  1729. 


538  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


William  Richardson  had,  by  wife  Rebecca, 
Mary,  b.  Apr.  17,  1717. 


(I  am  indebted  for  the  following  account  to  the  kindness  of  Hon.  James  Savage.) 
1  ROYALL,  WILLIAM,  of  Casco,  1636,  had  been  sent  by  the  go- 

vernor and  company  to  Captain  Endicott,  at  Salem,  1629,  as  a 
"  cleaver  of  timber."  Part  of  the  town  of  Salem  was  early  called 
Ryall's  side.  He  purchased  of  Gorges,  1643,  on  east  side  of 
Royall's  River,  in  North  Yarmouth,  and  lived  near  its  mouth. 
He  m.  Phebe  Green,  step-dau.  of  Samuel  Cole,  of  Boston. 
Children :  — 

1-  2     William,  b.  1640. 

3  John. 

4  Samuel. 

1-2  •William  Royall  was  driven  by  the  Indians  from  North  Yar- 
mouth, and  remained  at  Dorchester  some  years.  Freeman  1678  ; 
d.  Nov.  7,  1724.     Children  :  — 

2-  5     Isaac,  b.  1672. 

6     ,  a  dau.,  m.  Amos  Stevens. 

7  Jemima,  „  1692;    d.  Nov.  9,  1709. 

8  Samuel,  of  Freetown. 

9  Jacob,  of  Boston. 

And  others,  whose  names  are  unknown. 
2-  5  Isaac  Royall  returned  in  1757  from  Antigua,  where  he  had  re- 

sided 40  years,  settled  in  Medford,  and  there  d.  June  7,  1739. 
He  m.,  July  1,  1697,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Asaph  Eliot,  who  d. 
Apr.  21,  1747.  His  wife  seems  to  have  m.,  1st,  an  Oliver,  as 
Isaac  R.  mentions  a  dau.-in-law,  Ann,  wife  of  Robert  Oliver,  of 
Antigua.  Elizabeth  R.,  in  her  will,  mentions  gr.-ch.,  Dr.  James, 
Thomas,  Isaac,  Richard,  and  Elizabeth  Oliver.  Children  :  — 
5-10     Asaph,  b.  Apr.,  1699  ;  d.   July  24,  1699. 

1 1  Isaac. 

12  Penelope,                         m.  Henry  Vassall. 
2-  8  Samuel  Royall  m ,  and  had  — 

8-13     William. 

14     Samuel  Winthrop. 

5-11  Col.  Isaac  Royall,  of  Medford,  m. ,  and  had  — 

11-15    Elizabeth,  b.  1741 ;  d.   July  9,  1747. 

16  Miriam,         (?)  m.  Thomas  Savel. 

17  Elizabeth,  „   Sir  William  Pepperrell. 
17£  Mary. 

5-12  Penelope  Royall  m.  Henry  Vassall,  1741,  and  had  — 

12-18     Elizabeth,  m.  Dr.  Charles  Russell,  who  d.  in  Antigua,  s. p.,  May 
*  27,  1780. 
11-16  Miriam  Royall  m.  Thomas  Savel,  Dec.  23,  1773,  and  had  — 

16-18£  Thomas. 

19  Elizabeth,  b.  Dec.  20,  1784. 

20  Miriam,      „  Apr.  19,  1787. 

11-17  Elizabeth   Royall  m.   William    Pepperrell    Sparhawk,   whose 

mother  was  the  only  daughter  of  Sir  William  Pepperrell,  and 
who  took  his  grandfather's  name   on  succeeding  to  the  estate 
and  title.     He  d.  Dec,  1816,  aged  70.     Children  — 
17-21     William,  d.,  unm.,  1809. 

22  Elizabeth  Royall,  b.  July  14,  1770. 

23  Mary  Hirst  Mcintosh. 

24  Harriot. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  539 


17-22  Eliza. kf.tu   R.  Pepperrell  m.  Rev.  Henry  Hutton,  who  d.  in 

1813,  and  had  — 

m.  William  Moreton,  1814. 

„    Rev.  William  Moreton,  1832. 
„    Sophia  Brevort. 

„    Rev.  David  Drummond,  1829. 
„    Archdeacon  Parry. 

t  1st,  Elizabeth ,  1836. 

"  I  2d,  Ellen  Porter. 
,,  Mary  Drummond. 
d.,  unm.,  1848. 

17-23  Mary  H.  McIntosh  Pepperrell  m.  William   Congreve,   July, 

1799,  and  d.  s.  p.,  Feb.  4,  1839. 

17-24  Harriot  Pepperrell  m.,  1802,  Sir  Charles  Palmer,  who  d.  Apr. 
27,  1827.     His  widow  d.  Jan.  2,  1842.     Children  :  — 

24-35  Louisa  C. 

36  Mary  Anne. 

37  Caroline  H.         , 

38  George  J.,  m.  Emily  Elizabeth  Holford,  Feb.,  1836. 

39  Charles  A.,  „    Julia  Simpson,  Feb.  27,  1838. 

40  WilliamHenry,b.l815;    d.  Sept.  2,  1823. 

Note.  —  In  printing  these  English  branches,  I  have  copied  from  the  "Life 
of  Sir  William  Pepperrell,"  by  Usher  Parsons,  Esq. 

Robert  Royall,  perhaps  a  brother  of  Isaac  (No.  5),  was  living 
with  wife  Mercy,  in  Dorchester,  July  20,  1741. 


22-25 

Elizabeth, 

26 

Charles  H. 

27 

Mary  Anne, 

28 

Henry, 

29 

Anne. 

30 

Harriot, 

31 

Louise, 

32 

William  P., 

33 

Thomas  P., 

34 

Frances, 

1  SAMSON,  MILES,  m.  Sarah  Clough,  of  Medford,  July  9,  1815, 

who  d.  Sept.  5,  1824.     They  had  — 
1-  2     Sarah,  b.  June    1,  1816  ;  m.  Philip  Putney. 

3  Miles,  „  Oct.   29,1817;    „    1st,  E.  Paine;  2d,  A.  Weston. 

4  Eden.  „  May  25,  1819  ;    „   Mary  Ann  Tufts. 

5  Elizabeth  C,  „  Aug.    7,1821;    „   Albert  Hadley,  of  Eden,  Me. 

He  m.,  2d,  Charlotte  Peirce,  April  10,  1825,  who  d.  March  20, 
1832  ;  and  had  — 

6  Charlotte,  b.  Aug.  16,  1825. 

7  Henry,       „  Sept.  21,  1829  ;  m.  Matilda  Headley. 

8  Mary,        „   Sept.    2,1831;   „   Henry  Jones. 


1  SAVEL,  THOMAS,  m.  Miriam  Royall,  Dec.  23,  1773,  and  had  — 

1-  2  Thomas. 

3  Elizabeth,  b.  Dec.  20,  1784. 

4  Miriam,      „  Apr.  19,  1787. 

Thomas  Savel,  Jr.,  m.  Mary  Francis,  Dec.  22,  1799. 

Margaret  „              ,,    James  Buckman,  Feb.  12,  1778. 

Martha,  „              ,,    Benjamin  Floyd,  Jan.  7,  1779. 

Joseph,  „             d.    June  2,  1776. 

Widow  Martha,  „            „    Dec.  10,  1786. 


1  SECCOMB,  RICHARD,  came  from  the  west  of  England ;  set- 

tled at  Lynn  as  early  as  1660  ;  and  d.  1694.     He  had  — 
1-  2    Noah. 
3     Richard. 


540  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


4  Susanna. 

5  Peter,        b.  1678. 

1-  3  Richard  Seccomb  m.  Anne ,  and  had  — 

3-  6  Jonathan,  b.  Sept.  17,  1710. 

7  Anne,         „  Sept.  17,  1712. 

8  Dorothy,    „  Jan.    24,  1715  ;  m.  Henry  Fowle,  Mar.  6,  1738. 

1-  5  Peter  Seccomb  m.  Hannah  Willis,  Feb.  25, 1702,  who  d.  at  Har- 

vard, Dec.  15,  1760.     She  was  b.  Jan.  1,  1672 ;  and  d.  Dec.  15, 
1760,  aged  89.     He  d.  Sept.  8,  1756,  aged  78.     Children :  — 
5-  9     John,  b.  July  30,  1706  ;  d.  May  27,  1770. 

10  John,  „  Apr.  25,  1708  ;  minister  at  Harvard,  Mass.,  1728. 

11  Charles,     „  Jan.   15,  1710  ;  d.  Sept.  28,  1730. 

12  Thomas,     „  Aug.  16,  1711;  „  Apr.  15,  1773. 

13  Joseph,.  minister  at  Kingston,  N.H. ;  d.  1760. 

14  Willis,       „  Apr.  30,  1704  ;  d.  Apr.  15,  1725. 

Joseph  Seccomb  (13)  m.  Ruth  Brooks,  Nov.  20,  1760. 

Rebecca  i  d'  Mar"  13'  1781'  aSed  77' 

iteDecca,       „  £  ghe  m>  Thomas  (No>  12)>  above- 

Anna,  „  m.  William  Patten,  Nov.  17,  1727. 

Anne,  „  „  Nathaniel  Lawrence,  Nov.  13,  1725. 

Note.  —  Seccombe  is  the  name  of  a  place  in  the  Isle  of  Purbeck,  on  the 
coast  of  Dorsetshire,  Eng. 


1  SHED,  DANIEL,  of  Braintree,   1647,  from  whom  probably  de- 

scended Ebenezer  Shed  (1),  of  Charlestown,  who  d.  Apr.  17, 
1770,  aged  75  ;  and  m.  Abigail  Ireland,  who  d.  Oct.  8,  1783, 
aged  83.     He  had,  inter  alios, — 

1-  2  Zechariah,  b.  Feb.   7,  1745  ;  m.  Lydia  Spring,  who  was  b.  Jan. 

11,  1748,  and  d.  Oct.  7,  1821.  _  She  was  the  dau.  of  Henry 
Spring,  jun.,  and  Sarah  Swan,  his  wife  (who  was  a  dau.  of  old 
Lady  Winship,  who  d.  Dec.  2,  1807,  aged  100).  Zechariah  Shed 
d.  Jan.  15,  1813,  leaving  — 

2-  3     Francis,  b.  July    5,  1772. 
4     Thomas,  „  Feb.    7,  1784. 

2-  3  Francis  Shed  m.  Lydia  Prentiss  Saunders,  May  29,  1797,  who  d. 

Oct.  11, 1846,  aged  72.     He  d.  Apr.  15,  1851.     Children:  — 

3-  5     Judith  S.,       b.  Sept.  16,  1798  ;  m.  {  #/£££. 


6     Caroline  D.,   „  May  22,  1801 ; 


1st,  Oliver  Russell. 
2d,  Noah  Kendall. 


7  Emily  Ann,  „  Sept.  11,  1803  ;  „  Aaron  Traverse. 

8  Francis,  „  Nov.  20,  1805  ;  „  Mary  Ann  Frost. 

9  Lydia,  „  Nov.  21,  1807  ;  „  Thomas  Marshall. 

10  Zechariah,  „  Mar.  19,  1810. 

11  Eliza  B.,  „  July  22,  1813  ;  „    5  If  f  ^brose "J0*** 

'  "        J       '  '  "    £  2d,  Anthony  Nutter. 

12  Matilda  O.,  „  Oct.   14,  1816  ;  „  Charles  Danforth. 

2-  4  Thomas  SnED  m.  Abigail  H.  Greenleaf,  Dec.   18,  1808,  and  d. 
Dec.  9,  1849.     He  had  children  :  — 

4-13  Abigail  G.,  b.  Nov.  22,  1809  ;  m.  George  Sawyer. 

14  Sarah  R.,  „  Dec.    8,  1811  ;   „   Samuel  Ward. 

15  William  B.,  „  Oct.  24,  1813. 

16  Harriet  G.,  „  Oct.   26,  1815. 

17  Helen  M.,  „  May  29,  1818  ;    „    Mathias  Miner. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  541 


18  Thomas  A.,  b.  Nov.  14,  1822. 

19  Franklin  K.,  „  May   19,  1825  ;  d.   Fab.  22,  184S. 

20  Marshall  S.,  „  Mar.  15,  1828  ;  m.  Emma  A.  Gibbs. 

21  Mary  A.,  „  May     1,  1831  ;  cl.    May  12,  1832. 

22  Convers  Francis,   „  Jan.     8,  1835  ;  „     Aug.  13,  1853. 

Francis  Sued,  jun.,  m.  Mary  Ann  Frost,  of  Tyngsboro',  May  23, 
1829.  She  d.  June  4,  1851,  aged  42.  He  m.,  2d,  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth H.  Page,  dau.  of  the  late  Jonathan  Tufts.  Children  by  1st 
wife :  — 


8-23 

Luther  A., 

b.  June  11, 

1830. 

24 

Mary  Jane, 

„  Sept.    9, 

1831. 

25 

John  F., 

„  Oct.    11, 

1833. 

26 

Matilda  M., 

„  Jan.   22, 

1835 ; 

d.  May  1 

27 

Laura  M., 

„  Feb.  25, 

1837; 

„  1838. 

28 

Sylvanus, 

„  Sept.    1, 

1840. 

29 

Jefferson, 

„  July     1, 

1842. 

30 

Lydia  S., 

„  Aug.    1, 

1844. 

31 

Lucv  Ann, 

„  Dec.  17, 

1847. 

32 

Albert, 

„  Sept.  16, 

1850. 

1  SHEPARD,  JACOB,  m.  Mercy  Chickcring,  Nov.  22,  1699  ;  and 

had  — 
1-  2     Jacob,  b.  Aug.  22,  1700. 


1  SWAN,  SAMUEL,  was  b.  1720  ;  was  an  only  son  ;  his  father  m. 

Miss  Austin,  of  Charlestown,  and  d.  1746.  His  ancestors  are 
said  to  have  had  large  possessions  in  Haverhill  and  Methuen  ; 
and,  as  lately  as  1798,  Mr.  Swan  was  urged  to  prosecute  his 
claims  by  persons  of  respectable  standing,  one  of  whom,  a  pub- 
lic officer,  desired  to  purchase  a  part  of  his  claim.  From  a  deli- 
cate sense  of  justice,  Mr.  Swan  and  his  oldest  son  firmly  refused 
to  entertain  the  idea.  In  March,  1746,  be  m.  Joanna  Richard- 
son, of  Woburn,  and  had  children  as  below.  His  house  in 
Charlestown  was  burnt  by  the  British ;  and  he  went,  with  his 
family,  to  Concord.     He  d.  Aug.,  1808.     Children :  — 

1-  2     Samuel,  b.  1750. 

3  Daniel,    „   1752. 

4  Caleb,     „    1754 ;  d.  Mar.,  1816. 

1-  2  Samuel  Swan,  jun..  m.  Hannah  Lamson,  Mar.  5,  1778,  who  d. 

Nov.,  1826,  aged  70.  He  d.  Nov.,  1825.  In  Jan.,  1787,  he  was 
appointed  quartermaster-general,  with  the  rank  of  major,  under 
General  Lincoln,  in  the  time  of  Shay's  rebellion.  He  had  pre- 
viously served  under  General  Lincoln  in  the  revolutionary  war  ; 
and,  for  his  conduct  in  this  later  matter,  received  the  written 
thanks  of  Gov.  Bowdoin.  He  was  afterwards  deputy-collector 
of  the  revenue  under  Gen.  Brooks.     His  children  were  — 

2-  5     Samuel,  b.  1779;  d.   Mar.  31,  1823. 

6  Daniel,  m.  Sarah  Preston. 

7  Joseph,  „    1784. 

8  Hannah. 

9  Benjamin  L., 

10  Timothy,         „  1789  ;  d.   Jan.  20,  1830. 

11  Caleb. 

1-  3  Daniel  Swan  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Peter  Tufts,  Aug.  21,  1777  ; 

and  d.  in  1780.     His  widow  d.  1853,  aged  97. 


542 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


2-  7 


7-17 
18 
19 
20 

9 

9-21 
22 
23 
24 
25 


Samuel  Swan  m.  Margaret  Tufts,  and  had  — 
Benjamin  L.,  m.  Sarah  BrinkerhofF. 

Samuel,  „   Lucretia  Staniels. 

James,  „   Matilda  Loring. 

„   William  Eveleth. 


Margaret, 
Hannah  L., 


George  Francis. 


Joseph  Swan  was  a  merchant,  educated  in  the  counting-room  of 

Hon.  William  Gray.  He  m.  Ann  Rose;  and  d.  Jan.,  1853, 
leaving  — 

Joseph,  m.  Elizabeth  Bartlett. 

William  R,,  d.  1854. 

Ann  R.,  m.  Peter  C.  Hall. 

Timothy. 

Benjamin  L.  Swan  m.  Mary  Saidler,  and  had  — 
Benjamin  L.,  m.  Caroline  Post. 

Edmund  H.,  „    Julia  Post. 

Mary,  „    Charles  N.  Fearing. 

Otis  Dwight,  „  Margaret  Johnson. 

Frederic. 

Elizabeth  Swan  m.  Ezra  Skinner,  Jan.  8,  1724. 

Ruth,  wife  of  William  Swan,  d.  Jan.  6,  1716. 

Thomas  Swan,  of  Roxbury,  m.  Prudence  Wade,  Sept,  27,  1692. 


2-14 
15 
16 
17 
18 


SYMMES,  ZECHARIAH,  was  the  son  of  Rev.  William  Symmes, 
and  was  b.  in  Canterbury,  Eng.,  Apr.  5,  1599.  He  came  to 
New  England,  Sept.  18,  1634;  and  soon  after  nvas  ordained 
minister  at  Charlestown.  He  had  eleven  children,  five  of  whom 
were  born  in  Charlestown.  He  is  said  to  have  left  his  large 
property  to  his  son  William,  on  condition  that  he  should  pay 
two  hundred  pounds  apiece  to  the  other  heirs.  This  son  failing 
to  do  this,  and  dying  soon  after  his  father,  the  heirs  appointed 
Rev.  Zechariah,  of  Bradford,  to  divide  it.  He  d.  Feb.  4,  1671 ; 
and  had,  by  wife  Sarah,  — 
William,    bap.  Jan.    10,  1627. 

C  1st,  T.  Savage,  Sept.  15, 1652. 
i  2d,  Anthony  Stoddard. 
Hezekiah  Usher,  1654. 
„  William  Davis, 
d.  unm. 

m.  Humphrey  Booth. 
„  Ed.  Willis,  June  15,  1668. 
d.  Mar.  22,1708 ;  min.  at  Bradford. 
„    1641. 
m.  Timothy  Prout,  1664. 

C  1st,  Rev.  Sam.  Hough,  1650. 
"    I  2d,  Rev.  John  Brock,  1662. 
„  Mary  Nichols,  Dec.  10,  1668. 

William  Symmes  m.  Mary ;  and  d.  Sept.  22, 1691.     He  had 

seven  children,  of  whom  the  names  of  five  are  known  ;  viz.,  — 

Sarah,  m.  Rev.  M.  Fisk,  of  Braintree,  Nov.  7, 1672 ;  d.  Nov.  2, 1692. 

William,  Jan.  7,  1679. 

Zechariah. 

Timothy. 

Nathaniel. 

His  dau.,  Sarah,  was  child  of  his  first  wife,  as  his  servant,  John  Warner, 
testified  that  his  master  was  a  widower  when  this  dau.  married.     Farmer's 


Mary, 

Elizabeth, 

Huldah, 

Hannah, 

Rebecca, 

Ruth, 

Zechariah, 

Timothy, 

Deborah, 

Sarah, 

Timothy, 


„  Apr.  16,  1628;  m. 

„  Jan.     1,  1630;    „ 

„  Mar.  18,  1631  ;    „ 

„  Aug.  22,  1632  ; 

„  Feb.  12,  1634  : 

„  Oct.   18,  1635  ; 

b.  Jan.  »  9,  1638  ; 

„  May     7, 

„  Aug.  28, 


1640: 
1642 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES. 


.->!:) 


Register_says  that  Mary,  his  widow,  m.  Rot.  Samuel  Torrey,  July  30, 1695  ; 
and  in  1700  she  was  certainly  called  Mary  Torrey,  as  1  have  seen  a  document 
of  that  date  so  signed. 

"William  Symmes  m.  lluth  Comers.     He  inherited  two-thirds  of 
his  father's  estate,  and  had  a  clothing-mill  where  Mr.  Bacon's 


C  0  R  R  I  G  E  N  D  A. 


sJ\MIN 


L.  Swan  iu.  Mary  Saidler,  and  had 


Benjamin  L.  m.  Caroline  Post. 

Edward  H.  .,   ^J1"1*0!*-  ,,      . 

Marv  „    Charles  N.  Fearing. 

Robert  J.  »   Margaret  Johnson. 


OtisD. 

Frederic. 


Caleb  (2-11),  son  of  Samuel,  m.  Harriet  Stone. 


2  Mary  Ann,  b.  Aug.",  1801. 

3  Albert,  „  May,    1803. 

He  m.,  2d,  Lydia  Fesenden,  of  Lexington  ;  and  d.  Sept.  19,  1851, 
leaving,  by  his  second  wife,  — 

4  Edwin,  b.  June,  1815. 

5  Adaline,  „  1817. 

6  EmmelineM.,  „  Dec.,  1819. 

7  Lydia  A.,         „  Dec,  1821. 

8  Cordelia,  „  Dec,  1823. 


TOMPSON,  JONATHAN,  m.  Abigail ■,  and  had  — 

Phebe,       b.  Jan.   15,  1713. 
Ruth,         „  Oct.  30,  1715. 
Jonathan,  „  Apr.  10,  1720. 
By  2d  wife,  Lydia  Nutting,  whom  he  m.  Feb.  25,   1720,  he 
had  — 
Lydia,        b.  Dec.  12,  1720. 


TUFTS,  PETER,  was  b.  in  England,  in  1617 ;  parents  and  birth- 
place unknown.  There  are,  however,  persons  bearing  the  name 
in  Lancashire ;  and,  between  Little  Baddow  and  Maiden,  co. 
Essex,  there  is  a  village  called  Tuftes.  Peter  Tufts  was  one  of 
the  earliest  and  largest  land-owners  in  our  town  of  Maiden  ;  and 
it  is  perhaps  a  fair  supposition,  that  he  named  his  home  for  his 
English  birthplace.  He  is  supposed  to  have  immigrated  1638-40  ; 
and  was  admitted  a  freeman,  May  3,  1665,  being  then  an  inha- 
bitant of  Maiden.  He  bought  laud  in  Medford,  in  1664,  of  Mrs. 
Nowell,  which  descended  to  his  son,  Capt.  Peter  Tufts.  His 
wife  was  Mary ,  who  d.  1703,  aged"  75.     He  d.  May  13, 


542 


HIST011Y    OF    MEDFORD. 


5  Samuel  Swan  m.  Margaret  Tufts,  and  had  — 

5-12  Benjamin  L.,  m.  Sarah  Brinkerhoff. 

13  Samuel,  ,,    Lucretia  Staniels. 

14  James,  ,,   Matilda  Loring. 

15  Margaret,  „    William  Eveleth. 


1-  2 


2-H 
15 
16 
17 

18 


New  England,  Sept.  18,  1634;  and  soon  alter  *w as  ordained 
minister  at  Charlestown.  He  had  eleven  children,  five  of  whom 
were  born  in  Charlestown.  He  is  said  to  have  left  his  large 
property  to  his  son  William,  on  condition  that  he  should  pay 
two  hundred  pounds  apiece  to  the  other  heirs.  This  son  failing 
to  do  this,  and  dying  soon  after  his  father,  the  heirs  appointed 
Bev.  Zechariah,  of  Bradford,  to  divide  it.  He  d.  Feb.  4,  1671 ; 
and  had,  by  wife  Sarah,  — 


William, 

Mar)*, 

Elizabeth, 

Huldah, 

Hannah, 

Bebecca, 

Buth, 

Zechariah, 

Timothy, 

Deborah, 


bap.  Jan. 

Apr. 

Jan. 
Mar. 


10,  1627 
16,  162 
1,  1630; 


8;  m. 


C  1st,  T.  Savage,  Sept.  15, 1652. 
I  2d,  Anthony  Stoddard. 
Hezekiah  Usher,  1654. 
William  Davis. 


18,  1631;    , 
Aug.  22,  1632  ;  d.  unm 
Feb.  12,  1634;  m.  Humphrey  Booth 


Sarah, 
Timothy, 


Oct.   18,  1635  ;    „  Ed.  Willis,  June  15,  1668. 
Jan.  v  9,  1638;  d.  Mar.  22,1708 ;  min.  at  Bradford. 
May     7,  1640;    „    1641. 
Aug.  28,  1642;  m.  Timothy  Prout,  1664. 

C  1st,  Bev.  Sam.  Hough,  1650. 

"    I  2d,  Bev.  John  Brock,  1662. 

„  Mary  Nichols,  Dec.  10,  1668. 

William  Symmes  m.  Mary ;  and  d.  Sept.  22,  1691.     He  had 

seven  children,  of  whom  the  names  of  five  are  known  ;  viz.,  — 

Sarah,  m.  Bev.  M.  Fisk,  of  Braintree,  Nov.  7, 1672 ;  d.  Nov.  2, 1692. 

William,  Jan.  7,  1679. 

Zechariah. 

Timothy. 

Nathaniel. 

His  dau.,  Sarah,  was  child  of  his  first  wife,  as  his  servant,  John  Warner, 
testified  that  his  master  was  a  widower  when  this  dau.  married.     Farmer's 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES. 


543 


Register  says  that  Mary,  his  widow,  m.  Itev.  Samuel  Torrcy,  July  30, 1695  ; 
and  in  1700  slu'  was  certainly  called  Mary  Torrey,  as  I  haye  seen  a  document 
of  that  dftte  so  signed. 

2-15  William  Symmes  m.  Ruth  Convers.     He  inherited  two-thirds  of 

his  father's  estate,  and  had  a  clothing-mill  where  Mr.  Bacon's 
now  is.     He  d.  May  24,  17G4.     Children  :  — 
William,  d.  young. 

Zechariah. 

Josiah,  ,,   young. 

Elizabeth. 
Timothy. 
John. 
William,  minister  at  Andover. 

Timothy  Sitmmes  m.  Martha ,  and  had  — 

Timothy,  b.  Dec.  23,  1S00. 

William  Wyman,  „  Aug.  24,  1803. 

John  Symmes  ru.  Miss  Dix,  of  Waltham,  and  had  — 

Josiah. 

John,      b.  1754. 

Abigail,  m. Cutter. 

24-29  John  Symmes  m.  Elizabeth  Wright,  1780,  and  had  — 

29-31     John,  b.  Jan.  27,  1781 ;  m.  Pamela  Richardson,  1804. 


15 

-19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

21 

25 

15-23 

- 

23 

-26 

27 

15-24 

24- 

-28 

20 

30 

TAINTER,  ELISHA  L.,  b.  in  New  Fane,  Vt.,  1777  ;  m.  Sarah 
P.  Smith  in  1800,  who  d.  1806,  leaving  two  children  :  — 

2  Mary  Ann,  b.  Aug.,  1801. 

3  Albert,  „  May,    1803. 

He  m.,  2d,  Lydia  Fesenden,  of  Lexington ;  and  d.  Sept.  19,  1851, 
leaving,  by  his  second  wife,  — 

4  Edwin,  b.  June,  1815. 

5  Adaline,  „  1817. 

6  EmmelineM.,  „  Dec,  1819. 

7  Lydia  A.,         „  Dec,  1821. 

8  Cordelia,  „  Dec,  1823. 


1  TOMPSON,  JONATHAN,  m.  Abigail ■,  and  had  — 

1-  2     Phebe,        b.  Jan.   15,  1713. 

3  Ruth,         „   Oct.   30,  1715. 

4  Jonathan,  „  Apr.  10,  1720. 

By  2d  wife,  Lydia  Nutting,  whom  he  m.  Feb.  25,  1720,  he 
had  — 

5  Lydia,        b.  Dec.  12,  1720. 


TUFTS,  PETER,  was  b.  in  England,  in  1617 ;  parents  and  birth- 
place unknown.  There  are,  however,  persons  bearing  the  name 
in  Lancashire ;  and,  between  Little  Baddow  and  Maiden,  co. 
Essex,  there  is  a  village  called  Tuftes.  Peter  Tufts  was  one  of 
the  earliest  and  largest  land-owners  in  our  town  of  Maiden  ;  and 
it  is  perhaps  a  fair  supposition,  that  he  named  his  home  for  his 
English  birthplace.  He  is  supposed  to  have  immigrated  1638-40  ; 
and  was  admitted  a  freeman,  May  3,  1665,  being  then  an  inha- 
bitant of  Maiden.  He  bought  land  in  Medford,  in  1664,  of  Mrs. 
Nowell,  which  descended  to  his  son,  Capt.  Peter  Tufts.  His 
wife  was  Mary ,  who  d.  1703,  aged"  75.     He  d.  May  13, 


544 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


2-11 
12 
13 
14 


1-  3 


3-27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 


1-  4 


1700,  aged  83,  and  lies  buried,  with  his  wife,  in  Maiden  church- 
yard.    His  children  were  — 
Peter,        b.  1648. 


3     Jonathan, , 

,   1657. 

4     John,          , 

,   1665. 

5     Mary, 

m.  John  Edes. 

6     Elizabeth, 

,,   Joseph  Lynde,  bro.-in-law  of  Pet.  Tufts,  jun. 

7     Mercy, 

„   Joseph  Waite. 

8     Sarah, 

„   Thomas  Oakes. 

9     Persis, 

d.,  unm.,  1683. 

.0     Lydia, 

„      1683. 

Peter  Tufts,  of  Medford,  commonly  called  Capt.  Peter,  m.,  1st, 
Aug.  26,  1670,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Thomas  Lynde,  who  d.  July 
15,  1684,  by  whom  he  had  — 
Anna,     b.  Feb.  25,  1676. 
Peter,      „  Jan.   27,  1678. 
Mars',      ,,   Jan.   30,1(581;  m.  John  Brodelins. 
Thomas,,,  Mar.  31,  1683;  d.  Dec.  36,  1733. 

He  in.,  2d,  Mary  Cotton,  Dec.  16,  1684,  who  was  dau.  of  Rev. 
Seaborn  Cotton  by  his  wife  Dorothy  Bradstreet,  dau.  of  Gov. 
Simon  Bradstreet  by  his  wife  Ann  Dudley,  the  poetess.  Mercy 
Cotton  was  b.  Nov.. 3,  1666  ;  and  d.  June  18,  1715.  The  issue 
by  this  marriage  was  — 

b.  June  11,  1686  ;  d.  July  28,  1686. 

„  July     4,  1687  ;  „  Mar.    8,  16S8. 

„  May     5,  1689;  minister  at  Newbury,  1714. 

„  Aug.  22,  1691;  d.  Oct.   20,  1692. 

„  May  5,  1693  ;  „  Sept.  10,  1693. 

„  June  20,  1695  ;  „  Aug.  19,  1697. 

„  Mar.  27,  1697  ;  „  Nov.  29.  1697. 

„   Oct.  27,  1698  ;  m.  John  Bradstreet. 

„  Jan.   31,  1700. 

„  May  13,  1702. 

„  Dec.  14,  1704 ;  „  Bradshaw. 

„  Jan.  30,  1707. 
He  appears,  by  his  will,  to  hare  had  a  third  wife,  Prudence,  who  owned  a 
house,  which  was  secured  to  her  by  the  marriage  articles.  Capt.  Peter  died, 
Sept.  20,  1721,  aged  73.  He  was  a  freeman,  Oct.  15,  1679.  His  property  in 
Medford,  left  him  by  his  father,  consisted  of  seventeen  acres  of  land,  five  of 
which  were  at  "Snake  Hole."  He  also  had  six  hundred  acres  in  Quabog,  or 
Brookfield. 


15 

Cotton, 

16 

Mary, 

17 

John, 

18 

Samuel, 

I'.) 

Dorothy, 

20 

Mercy, 

21 

Dorothy, 

22 

Mercy, 

23 

Simon, 

24 

Sarah, 

25 

Dorothy, 

26 

Lydia, 

Jonathan  Tufts  was  of  Medford.     Will  dated  Aug.  4,  1718. 

d.  in  1720  ;  and  was  buried  in  Maiden,  beside  his  father. 

had,  by  his  wife  Rebecca,  — 
Jonathan,  b.  July    1,  1685  ;  d.  Dec.  15,  1688. 
John,         „  Apr.  11,  1688. 
Jonathan,  „  Feb.     6,  1690, 


He 
He 


Rebecca, 

Samuel, 

Persis, 

Joseph, 

Abisrail, 


Oct.  16,  1694; 
„  Apr.  29,  1697; 
„  May  2,  1700 ; 
„  June  29,  1704. 
„  Jan.     7,  1707. 


m.  John  Willis,  Apr.  17,  1717. 

„    Elizabeth  Sweetson,  Mar.  28, 1723. 

„   J.  Codman,  Maiden,  Feb.  12, 1737. 


John  Tufts  was  of  Maiden.  His  residence  was  standing  in  1821  ; 
and  John  Tufts,  who  was  then  alive,  possessed  a  silver-headed 
cane,  —  an  heirloom,  descended  from  this  early  settler.  He  m. 
Mary  Putnam  ;  and  d.  in  Maiden,  1728.  His  children  were 
three  b.  in  Medford,  and  four  in  Maiden ;  viz.,  — 

Mary,  b.  Apr.  11,  1688. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  545 


36  John,  b.  May  28,  1690. 

37  Nathaniel,,,  Feb.  23,  1692. 

38  Peter,  „  1696 ;  of  Milk  Row. 

39  Benjamin,  „  1699. 

40  Thomas. 

41  Stephen. 

2-14  Thomas  Tufts  graduated,  H.  C,  in  1701.     While  in  college,  he 

had  forty  pounds.a  year  by  his  grandfather's  will.     He  m.,  1st, 
Mary  Phipps,  who   d.  Sept.  3,   1718,  aged  48,  by  whom   he 
had  — 
14-42     Thomas,     b.  Feb.  27,  1712. 

43  Peter,  „  Mar.    8,  1714 ;  d.  Oct.  1,  1714. 

44  Henry,        „  Sept.  21,  1716. 

He  m.,  2d,  Emma,  dau.  of  Samuel  Phipps,  of  Charlcstown,  and 
had  — 

45  Catharine,  b.  Nov.    4,  1719. 

46  Samuel,      „  Dec.  31,  1720. 

47  Simon,        „  Mar.  17,  1723. 

48  Solomon,    „  Jan.    23,  1725. 

49  David. 

50  Frederick. 

2-17  John  Tufts  m.  Elizabeth  Sargent,  Mar.  28,  1723,  and  had  — 

17-51     John,  b.  Dec,  13,  1723 ;  d.  Aug.  16,  1725. 

2-23  Simon-  Tufts  was  the  first  physician  of  Medford  ;  graduated,  H.C., 

1724;  d.  June  31,  1747.     He  m.  Abigail  Smith,  who  d.  1790, 
aged  90,  bv  whom  he  had  — 
23-52     Simon,      b.  Jan.   16,  1727. 

53  Abigail,   „  Sept.  22,  1730  ;  m.  John  Bishop,  Dec.  7,  1752. 

54  William,  „  Aug.  28,  1732. 

55  Cotton,     „  May  30,  1734. 

56  Samuel,    „  Jan.     7,  1736. 

57  Mercy,     „  Oct.   19,  1742  ;    „  Thos.  Brooks,  jun.,  Dec.  29,  1762. 

58  Anna,      „  Nov.    8,  1744  ;    „  Peter  Jones,  May  2,  1765. 

3-33       -  Joseph  Tufts  m.  Lydia  Francis,  Jan.  12,  1727,  and  had  — 

33-59  Rebecca,    b.  Mar.  31,  1728. 

60  Lydia,        „  Aug.  24,  1729. 

61  Joseph,      „  Feb.  21,  1731. 

62  Samuel,     „  Aug.  16,  1732. 

63  John,        „  Nov.  18,  1735. 

64  Ebenezer,  „  Apr.  14,  1739  ;  d.  May  h  1739. 

4-38  Peter  Tufts,  of  Milk  Row,  d.  Dec.  5,  1776  ;  had  bequeathed  him, 

by  his  father,  forty-four  acres  of  land,  which  was  bought  of  Judge 
Russell,  in  1701.     He  m.  -Lydia  Buckman,  and  had  by  her, 
who  d.  Oct.  31,  177S,  agei  73,— 
38-65    Nathan,    b.  May  14,  1724. 

66  Peter,         „  Apr.  24,  1728. 

67  Lydia,        „  Jan.     5,  2731. 

68  Timothy,   „  Jan.  20,  1735. 

69  Samuel,     „  Nov.  24,  1737. 

70  Aaron,       „  Dec.  16,  1739. 

71  Susanna,    „  Apr.  23,  1746. 

4-39  Benjamin  Tvns  m.,  1st,  Mary  Hutchinson  ;    and,  2d,  Hannah 

Turner.    He  d.  Nov.  17,  1774,  leaving  — 
39-72     Benjamin,      b.  Nov.  15,  1731. 

73     Mary,  ,.  July     6,  1733 ;  ra.  John  Symonds. 

69 


546  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


74  Phebe,  m.  N.  Wait,  jun.,  Oct.  15,  1757. 

75  Sarah,  b.  June  11,  1737  ;  „   Stephen  Wait. 

76  John,  „  Mar.  15,  1739. 

77  Hutchinson,  „  Jan.  25,  1743. 

By  his  second  wife  — 

78  Francis,  b.  July  21,  1744;  „  Sarah  Blount,  Nov.  26,  1767. 

79  Hannah,         „  Dec.  14,  1746  ;  „  Watts  Turner. 

80  Martha,  „  Aug.  10,  1753  ;  „  Thos.Bradshaw,Nov.26, 1772. 

81  Abigail,  „  Mar.    9,1757;  „  Daniel  Tufts. 

23-52  Dr.  Simon  Tufts,  jun.,  m.,  1st,  Lucy  Dudley,  who  d.  Nov.,  1768, 

aged  41.     He  graduated  at  H.  C,  1767.     By  his  first  wife,  he 
had  — 
52-82     Simon,        b.  1750. 

83  Lucy,  „  Apr.  11,  1752. 

84  Catharine,  „  Apr.  25,  1754. 

He  m.,  2d,  Elizabeth  Hall,  Oct.  5,  1769,  and  had  by  her  — 

85  Turell,        b.  1770 ;  d.  June  9,  1842. 

86  Cotton,        „  1772;  insane;  d.  Feb.  12,  1835. 

87  Hall,  „  1775  ;  d.  at  Surinam,  July  19,  1801. 

88  Hepzibah,  „  1777  ;  m.  Benjamin  Hall. 

89  Stephen,      „  1779. 

His  widow  d.  Aug.  30,  1830,  aged  87.     He  d.  Dec.  31,  17S6. 

23-54  William  Tufts  m. ,  and  had  — 

54-90     Catharine,  b.  1754. 

23-55  Cotton  Tufts  m. Smith,  sister-in-law   of  President  John 

Adams;  was  grad.  H.  C,  1749,  A.A.S. ;  lived  in  Weymouth; 
Pres.  of  Mass.  Medical  Ass.  about  1776.     His  funeral  sermon, 
preached  by  Jacob  Norton,  is  extant.    He  had  an  only  child,  — 
55-91     Cotton. 

23-56  Samuel  Tufts,  who  d.  Dec.  31,  1818,  m.  Hannah  Tufts,  Apr.  14, 
1757,  who  d.  Mar.  13,  1795,  aged  60 ;  and  had  — 

56-92  Susanna,    b.  May  30,  1759. 

93  Samuel,      „   Apr.,       1761. 

94  Caleb,         „  Sept.    1,  1762. 

95  Ezekiel,      „  Nov.  19,  1764. 

96  Gershom,  „  July  17,  1767. 

97  John,  „  June    8,  1772. 

33-61  Joseph  Tufts,  who  d.  Dec.  6,  1798,  m.  Hannah ,  who  d.  Sept. 

21,  1779,  aged  45;  and  had  — 
61-98     Joseph,  b.  F«b.  17,  1755. 

99     Ammi-Ruhamah,  „  Aug.  is,  1762. 

100  Walter,  „  Feb.  17,  1756. 

101  Cotton,  „  June,       1768  ;  d.  July  15,  1777. 

38-65  Nathan   Tufts   m.  Mary  Adams,  June   6,   1751.     He  lived  at 

Charlestown  ;  where  he  died,  Lee.  21,  1771.     He  had  — 
65-102     Susanna,  b.  Jan.  31,  1756;  m.  John  Foster. 

103  Mary,       „  Mar.  17,  1758  ;    „    Seth  Stone. 
1034  Abigail,   „  Jan.  20,  17G0;    d.  1777. 

104  Daniel,  1757. 

105  Amos,-     „  July  30,  1762. 

106  Nathan,   „  Mar.  23,  1764. 

There  was  an  earlier  son,  Nathan,  who  d.  Aug.  5, 1702 ;  and  perhaps  another 
child,  who  d.  young. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES. 


547 


108 

John, 

109 

Asa, 

110 

Joseph, 

111 

Thomas, 

112 

Elizabeth, 

113 

Lucy, 

114 

Rebecca, 

115 

Lydia, 

116 

Sarah, 

3S-GG  Peter  Tufts  was  of  Charlestown.     He  ra.  Anne  Adams,  Apr.  19, 

1750  ;  and  d.  Mar.  4,  1791.     His  wife  was  b.  July  8,  1729  ; 
and  d.  Feb.  17,  1813.    They  had  — 
66-107     Peter. 

m.  Elizabeth  Perry. 

,,   Martha  Adams. 

,,    Abigail  Tufts. 

„   Rebecca  Adams. 

„   Daniel  Swan. 

„   Jacob  Osgood. 

„   Nathan  Adams. 

„  Rev.  R.  Gray,  of  Dover,  N.H.,  Mar.  22, 1787. 

„   Joseph  Adams. 

38-68  Timothy  Tufts  m.  Anna ,  and  had  — 

68-117  Timothy. 

118  Abijah,    b.  Apr.  17,  1766  ;  grad.  H.  C,  1815  ;  moved  to  Virginia. 

119  Anna,       „  May  26,  1768  ;  m.  Mr.  Dixon. 

120  Isaac. 

121  Joseph,  „  Miss Twiss. 

38-69  Samuel  Tufts  m.  Martha  Adams,  May  11, 1769.    He  d.  Oct.  24, 
1828.     She  d.  Aug.  28,  1811,  aged  65.     Children :  — 

69-122  Samuel,     b.  May  27,  1770  ;  d.   June  27,  1822. 

123  Martha,      ,x  Sept.  28,  1773  ;  m.  Walter  Frost,  June  21,  1792. 

124  Lydia,        „  May  24,  1778  ;    „   John  Tapley,  Nov.  3,  1795. 

125  Susan,        „  Dec.    8,1780;    „   Jotham  Johnson,  Nov.  4,  1802. 

126  Mary,         „  Nov.  25,  1782  ;    „   Ambrose  Cole,  Apr.  1,  1804. 

127  Elizabeth,  „  June  27,  1788  ;   „   Reuben  Hunt. 

39-72  Benjamin  Tufts  m.  Esther ,  who  d.  May  27,  1778,  aged  37. 

Hed.  1804,  and  had  — 
72-128     Benjamin,  b.  Oct.     9,  1761. 

129  Esther,        „  May  30,  1763  ;  m.  Hezekiah  Blanchard. 

130  Jacob. 

130£  Mary,         „  1779 ;  d.  c.  1795. 

39-76  John  Tufts  m. ,  and  had  — 

76-131     John. 

132     Peter.  d.  unm. 

39-77  Hutchinson  Tufts,  who  d.  Aug.  2,  1800*  m.  Mary  Grover,  and 

had  — 
77-133     Hutchinson,  b,  Dec.  16,  1769. 

1 34    Mary,  m.  Jonathan  Locke. 

39-78  Francis  Tufts  m.,  successively,  two  sisters  named  Lunt,  and 
had  — 

78-135  Francis,  moved  to  Maine. 

136  John. 

137  Benjamin,  moved  to  Ohio. 

138  William. 

139  Mary,  m.  Mr.  Hopkinson. 

55-91  Cotton  Tufts,  of  Weymouth,  m.  Mercy  Brooks,  Mar.  6,  1788, 

and  had  — 
91-140     Quincy,  is  a  merchant  in  Boston. 

141  Lucy,  m.  Thomas  Tarbell. 

142  Susan. 

143  Mercy. 


548 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


65-104  Daniel  Tufts  m.  Abigail  Tufts,  and  had  — 

104-144  Daniel,     b.  Dec.  31,  1776. 

145  Gilbert,    „  Apr.  27,  1778. 

146  Charles,    „  1781. 

147  Nathan,    „  Mar.,        1786. 

65-105  Amos  Tufts  m.  Deborah  Frothingham,  and  had  — 

105-148  Amos,  d.,  aged  14. 

149  Deborah,  b.  1789 ;  m.  Mr.  Frothingham. 

150  Joseph  F.,  „  1790  ;  d.    1854. 

151  Mary,  „  1793 ;  m.  James  P.  Mclntyre. 

152  Abigail,  d.,  aged  12. 

153  Nathan  Adams,     „  1797. 

154  Amos. 

155  William. 

156  Samuel. 

157  Edward. 


66-108  John  Tufts  m.  Elizabeth  Perry,  and  had  — 


108-158  John, 

159  Benjamin, 

160  James, 

161  Elizabeth, 

162  Cynthia, 

163  Sophia, 

164  Lydia, 

165  Leonard, 

166  Asa, 

167  Oliver,     b.  1801 ; 


m.  Abigail  Wheeler. 
,,   Susan  Stone. 
d.  unm. 


„    aged  6. 

m.  David  Sanborn. 

„   Hepzibah  Fosdick. 

„   Dorothy  Danforth. 

„   widoAV  of  his  brother  Asa. 


66-109 
109-168 
169 
170 

66-110 
110-171 
172 
173 
174 
175 
176 
177 
178 
179 
180 
181 

66-111 
111-182 
183 
184 
185 
186 

68-117 

117-187 
188 
189 


Asa  Tufts  m.  Martha  Adams,  and  had  — 

Anna  Louisa,  m.  Theodore  Atkinson. 

Charles,  d.    unm. 

Asa  Alford,  m.  Miss  Gilman. 

Joseph  Tufts  m.  Abigail  Tufts,  and  had  — 
Abigail,         b.  1785. 


Joseph, 

Lydia, 

Bernard, 

Asa, 

Lucy, 

Mary, 

Edmund, 

Mercy, 

Harriet, 

Caroline, 


„  1783  ;  m.  Helen  Whittemore. 
1808. 

Lucinda  Tufts. 
Mary  Ann  Tufts. 
Gershom  Whittemore. 
1820. 


1786: 
1788: 
1790' 
1792 
1793; 
1795. 
1797; 
1799: 
1801 


1820. 

James  Russell. 

Gershom  Whittemore. 


Thomas  Tufts  m.  Rebecca  Adams,  and  had  — 
Thomas,  d.   1816,  aged  c.  24. 

Rebecca,  „  „     „  30. 

Marshall,  graduate  H.  C.  1827. 

Eveline,  m.  Mr.  Rochester,  of  Ohio. 

Lucy  Ann,  „   Dr.  Proctor,  of  Castine,  Me. 

Timothy  Tufts  m.,  1st,  Mary  Goddard  ;  2d,  Mehitable  Flagg  : 

and  had  — 
Timothy,        b.  1786  ;  m.  Susan  Cutter. 
Artemas,  d.   unm. 

Mary,  m.  Milzar  Torrey,  and  d.  1853. 


REGISTEB    OF    FAMILIES.  549 


And  by  his  second  wife,  — 

190  Jonas,  lives  in  Charlestown,  N.H. 

191  Joshua,  unra.,    ,,  „  „ 

192  Submit,  m.  Mr.  Wetherbee. 

08-120  Isaac  Tufts  m.,  1st,  Anna  Tufts,  and  had  by  her  — 

120-193  Anna,  in.  .Samuel  Rand. 

191:  Martha. 

And  by  his  second  wife,  Mary  Green,  — 

195  Lucy. 

196  Mary. 

197  Louisa. 

198  Isaac. 

199  Ann  Maria,  m.  James  Sawyer. 

200  Timothy. 

201  George. 

69-122  Samuel  Tufts   m.,    1st,  Hannah  Tufts,   Dec.    3,    1795,   and 
had  — 

122-202  Hannah,  «  d.   aged  17. 

203  Lucinda,  m.  Bernard  Tufts  (No.  174). 

204  Mary  Ann,  „   Asa  Tufts  (No.  175). 

205  Charles,  unm. 

He  m.,  2d,  Grace  Barnicott,  and  had  — 

206  William  Augustus,  m.     $  If  QAbiSa!™s' 

°  '  (2d,  Susan  Tufts. 

207  John. 

208  Hannah,  „   Mr.  Davis,  of  Billerica. 

77-133  Hutchinson  Tufts,  jun.,  m.  Mary ,  and  had  — 

133-209  Hutchinson,  b.  Feb.   10,  1797. 

210  Mary,  „  Mar.     6,  1799  ;  d.  aged  four  days. 

104-144  Daniel  Tufts,  jun.,  who  d.  June  12,  1826,  m.  Rhoda  Wyman, 
May  25,  1786,  who  d.  March  17,  1816  ;  and  had  — 

144-211  Cornelius,  b.  Aug.  12,  1786. 

212  Rhoda,  „  Aug.  27,  1788. 

213  Ruth,  „  Dec.  11,  1790. 

214  Tryphena,  „  Feb.     6,  1793. 

215  Pamela  Wyman,  „  Mar.  23,  1796. 

216  Lucy,  „  Aug.  28,  1799. 

104-145  Gilbert  Tufts  m.  Mary  Chickering,  and  had  — 

145-217  Abby,  m.  Fred.  Williams. 

218  Gilbert,  „    Charlotte  Fitz. 

219  Caroline,  b.  1822;    „   Dr.  J.  E.  Bartlett,  and  d.  1851. 

220  Sarah  Scholfield. 

221  Arthur  Webster,  „   Anna  Hooker. 

104-147  Nathan  Tufts  m.  Sarah  Miller,  and  had  — 

147-222  Sarah  Elizabeth,   b.  1811 ;  m.  Andrew  B.  Kidder. 

223  MaryTapley,         „1813;d.    1833. 

224  Martha,  „  1815. 

225  Nathan,  „  1818;  m.  Mary  Jane  Fitz. 

226  Marcellus,  „  1820;  d.    1822. 

227  Hannah  Johnson,  „  1822;  m.  Dr.  Chauncey  Booth. 

228  Daniel,  „  1825;  d.    1825. 

229  Francis,  „  1827  ;  grad.  H.  C,  1849. 

110-172  "  Joseph  Tufts  m.  Helen  Whittemore,  and  had  — 

172-230  Joseph  Binford,  grad.  H.  C,  1849. 

231  Helen  Emily,  m.  Theodore  Buckman. 


550  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

232  William  Whittemore,      b.  1830. 

233  Benjamin,  „  1833  ;   d.  young. 

110-174  Bernard  Tufts  m.  Lucinda  Tufts  (No.  203),  and  had  — 

174-234  Joseph  Bernard,  lives  in  Billerica. 

235  Edmund. 

236  Alfred,  b.  c.  1837. 

110-175  Asa  Tufts  m.  Mary  Ann  Tufts  (No.  204),  and  had  — 

175-237  Harriett,  m.  Mr.  Holbrook. 

238  Mary  Ann. 

239  Elizabeth. 

240  Caroline. 

241  Lucy. 

242  Mercy. 

243  Abby. 

244  Henry  Clay. 

245  Alice. 

The  following  branches  I  have  not  been  able  to  locate  authoritatively ;  but  those  marked  with 
(B)  rest  upon  the  decisions  of  Dr.  Boothe,  whose  large  collection  of  genealogical  matters  re- 
lating to  this  family  has  been  a  very  great  aid  to  me. 

243  James  Tufts  is  said  (B)  to  have  been  a  son  of  Peter  (No.  1)  ; 

m.  Mary  Dill,  Sept.  4,  1729.  He  is  supposed  to  have  been 
killed  by  the  Indians,  as  an  old  family  tradition  reports.  He 
had  — 

246-247     James  Tufts,  who  m.,  1st,  Phebe  Woods,  of  Groton,  and  had  — 

a.  Andrew,       b.  Oct.    11,  1748  ;  d.  Oct.  25,  1752. 

b.  Nathaniel,     „  1746  ;  „  March  20,  1752. 

From  him  may  have  been  descended  — 

243  James  Tufts,  jun.,  who  m.  Tabitha  Binford,  Apr.  19,  1757, 

who  d.  Oct.  25,  1766,  aged  67.     Children ;  — 

248-249  Mary        b.  Nov.  21,  1752. 

250  Abigail,    „  Jan.     5,  1758. 

251  Daniel,      „  Mar.  30,  1759. 

252  Abigail,    „  July  24,  1761. 

253  Mercy,      „  Sept.  21,  1765. 

He  d.  June  12,  1769,  aged  67. 

Peter  Tufts  (No.  2)  is  said  to  have  had  (B)  two  children  be- 
sides those  previously  recorded :  — 
2-254     Samuel,    b.  1709. 
255     William,  „  1713. 

2-254  Samuel  Tufts  m. ,  and  had  — 

254-256    Anna,  b.  1744. 

2-255  William  Tufts  m.,  1st,  Catherine  Wynvan,  who  d.  1749  ;  and 

had  — 
255-256^  Catharine,     b.  Mar.  31,  1734. 

257  William,  „  Mar.  27,  1736. 

258  George,  „  Jan.   10,  1747. 

259  Grimes,  „  Dec.    4,  1748. 
259£  Uriah. 

He  m.,  2d,  Mary  Francis,  Feb.  8,  1750,  and  had  — 

260  Mary,       b.  Apr.  25,  1751. 

261  Samuel,    „  Aug.  19,  1752. 

262  Lucy,        „  Apr.  21,  1754  ;  m.  Thomas  Pritchard. 
262£  Francis,  „   Francis. 

263  David,      „  June  30,  1758. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  551 


264  Sarah,      b.  Jan.    14,  1760. 

265  David,      „  June  17,  1763. 

266  llichard,  „  Nov.,        1765. 


266a. 

2266.  Aaron. 

He  d.  Oct.  29,  1783. 

255-267  Samuel  Tufts  m.  Margaret  Hodgkins,  who  d.  Aug.  7,  1793. 

He  d.  Nov.  29,  1815,  and  had  — 
267   a.     Margaret,  b.  1779  ;  m.  Samuel  Swan,  jun. 

b.  Samuel,     „  1784;  d.    1821. 

c.  William,   „  Mar.  21,  1787. 


267rf. 

John  Tufts  m.  Sarah ,  and  had  — 

267^.-268 

William,      b.  Sept.    4,  1727. 

269 

John,            „  Mar.  29,  1729. 

270 

Ichabod,       „  May  16,  1731. 

271 

Ebenezer,     „  Nov.    9,  1733. 

272 

Sarah,           „  May    4,  1736  ;  d.  June,  25,  1738. 

273 

James,           „  Nov.    3,  1738  ;    „  Aug.  12,  1739. 

274 

Sarah,            „  Aug.  12,  1740. 

275 

Barnaby,      „  Feb.  12,  1743. 

276 

Ichabod    Tufts,   m.   Rebecca  Francis,   May   17 

had  — 

276-276«. 

John. 

b. 

Samuel. 

c. 

Rebecca. 

and 


276d.  Ebenezer  Tufts  m.  Rachel  Whitmore,  Feb.   17,  1731,  and 

had  — 
276d.-276e.     Rachel,  b.  Mar.  21,  1732. 

276/.  William  Tufts,  jun.,  m.  Catharine  Tufts,  Jan.  10,  1750.     He 

had  — 

276/.-277  Ebenezer,  b.  July  20,  1753  ;  d.  Sept.  30,  1760. 

278  Eunice,  „  Oct.     2,  1755. 

279  Zachariah,  „  Dec.  15,  1759. 

280  Ebenezer,  „  Apr.  19,  1761. 

281  William,  „  Aug.  24,  1762. 

282  Eliakim,  „  Sept.    4,  1767. 

283  William  Tufts,  3d,  m.  Rebecca  Tufts,  Feb.  15,  1753 ;  and  d. 

Oct.  24,  1775.     He  had  — 

283-284    Rebecca,  b.  July    1,  1754  ;  m. Manning. 

285  William,  „  May  20,  1756  ;  d.  young. 

286  William,  „  Jan.  11,  1758. 
286£  AbigaU,  „  May    9,  1760. 

287  Lucy,  „  Nov.  19,  1762  ;   „   Aug.  28,  1767. 

288  Lydia,  „  June  25,  1765. 

289  John,  „  Apr.    2,  1768. 

290  William  Tufts,  4th,  m.  Susanna .     He  died  Apr.  27, 

1782,  leaving  — 

290-291  Nathan,       b.  May  16,  1754. 

292  Susanna,     „  Mar.  28,  1756. 

293  Elinor,         „  July  20,  1759. 

294  Abigail,       „  May    8,  1760. 

295  Aaron,         „  Dec.  18,  1761. 
296"  William,      „  Aug.  20,  1764. 

297  James  Tufts  m.  Phcbc ,  and  had  — 


552  HISTOIIY    OF    MEDFORD. 


297-298  Nathan,         b.  May     2,  1740. 

299  Andrew,        „  Oct.     9,  1748. 

300  Gehshom  Tufts  m.  Mary ,  and  had  ■ 

300-301  Gershom,     b.  Oct.     2,  1754. 

302  Susanna,      „  Dec.    9,  1756. 

303  Richard,      „  Sept.  25,  1758. 


304 

Peter  Tufts  (possibly  38)  m.  Deborah  - 

304-305 
306 

AaT„'.]         ".Apr.  20,172!. 

307 

Abigail,           „  Oct.     6,  1723. 

308 

Aaron,             „  July,  12,  1726. 

309 

Ebenezeb  Tufts   (probably  No.   267)   v 

had  — 

309-310 

Ebenezer,  b.  Dec.  16,  1761. 

311 

Sarah,         „  June    1,  1765. 

312 

Ruth,          „  Dec.  30,  1766. 

313 

Jonathan  Tufts  m.  Elizabeth -,  and 

313-314 

Jonathan,  b.  May     6,  1764. 

315 

Eleazer,      „  Sept.  28,  1767. 

316 

Charles,      „  May     3,  1770. 

317 

Amos,        „  Dec.  12,  1784. 

318 

Isaac  Tufts  m.  Martha ,  and  had  — 

318-319 

Martha,            b.  Apr.  20,4770. 

320 

Isaac,               „  Dec.  14,  1771. 

321 

Lydia  Hall,     „  Aug.  28,  1773. 

322 

Seth,                „  Sept.  14,  1774. 

323 

Lydia  Hall,     „  July     9,  1778. 

-,  and  had  — 


m.  Abigail ,  and 


324  Moses  Tufts  m.  Phebe  Thompson,  May  7,  1767,  and  had  — 

324-325  Moses,  b.  June    8,  1771. 

-326  Catharine,    „  July  17,  1775. 

327  Rhoda,  d;  Sept.  14,  1773. 

328  Jacob  Tufts  m.  Ruth  Binford,  May  27,  1790,  and  had  — 

328-329  Jacob,         b.  Mar.    5,  1791. 

330  Andrew,     „  Feb.  21,  1794. 

331  Esther,        „  Sept.    7,  1796. 

332  Thomas,     „  Sept.  29,  1799. 

333  Benjamin  Tufts  m.  Elizabeth ,  and  had  — 

333-334  Elizabeth,  b.  Feb.  21,  1780. 

335  Benjamin  Tufts,  jun.,  m.  Hannah  Turner,  May  17,  1796,  and 

had  — 

335-336  Benjamin,   b.  Apr.     9,  1797. 

337  Hannah,       „  May  26,  1801. 

338  Richard,       „  Mar.    5,  1804. 

339  Emily,  „  Apr.  16,  1806. 

340  Andrew,       „  Oct.   14,  1808. 

341  Nathan  Tufts,  jun.,  m.  Sarah  Trefray,  Feb.  22,  1776, 'and 

had  — 

341-342  Sarah,  b.  Apr.    9,  1780. 

343  Nathan,        „  Jan.   19,  1784. 

344  Elizabeth,     „  May  20,  1785. 

Same  as  No.  291. 

345  Joseph  Tufts  m.  Esther ,  and  had  — 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES. 


553 


345-346 
347 
348 
349 
350 

351 

351-352 
353 
354 

355 

355-356 
357 
358 
359 
360 
361 
362 

104-144 

144-363 
364 


365 
366 

367 


Joseph, 

Esther, 

Rehecca, 

Lucy, 

Cotton, 


b.  Jan.  24,  1781. 
„  Nov.  21,  1782. 
„  Feb.  6,  1785. 
„  July  20,  1787. 
„  Feb.     1,  1790. 


370 
371 


George  Tufts  m.  Elizabeth ,  and  had  — 

Elizabeth,  b.  Sept.  14,  1776. 
John,  „  Oct.  30,  1778. 

Call,  „  Oct.   30,  1781. 

James  Tufts,  jun.,  m.  Elizabeth ,  and  had  — 

Mary,  b.  Sept.  18,  1775. 
James,  „  Feb.  25,  1777. 
Elizabeth,  „  Jan.  5,  1779. 
Lucretia,  „  Oct.  14,  1780. 
Mercy,  „  Aug.  9,  1782. 
Sarah,  „  Aug.  1,  1785. 
Elias,  „  Jan.  30,  1787. 

Daniel  Tufts  m.  Martha  Bradshaw,  and  had  — 
Martha,  m.  Thatcher  Magoun. 

Abby,  „   Dr.  John  Neilson. 

This  family  differs  from  the  one  previously  inserted  from  my  own  MSS., 
and  is  here  given  on  the  authority  of  Dr.  Booth.    It  is  probably  correct. 

Mary,  dau.  of  Hannah  Tufts,  b.  May  2,  1759. 
,  a  son  „         „  „      „  Jan.   6,  1761. 

Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Phebe  Tufts,  b.  Jan.  2, 1760  ;  d.  July  23, 1760. 

James  Tufts  m.  Ruth ,  who  d.  Nov.  26,  1721,  aged  39; 

and  had  — 
Susanna,       b.  1716 ;  d.  July    8,-1739. 

Grimes,         „  Jan.,   1721 ;  „  Nov.  28,  1721. 
Ruth,  „  1730 ;  „  Apr.  27,  1736. 

He  was  probably  father  of  William  (255),  and  same  as  James  (247). 


Marriages  and  deaths  not  previously  recorded. 


Feb.  26,  1729. 

Elizabeth           Tufts,  m.  John  Foskit. 

Feb.  17,  1731. 

Elizabeth              , 

,       „    Jonathan  Hall. 

Feb.   17,  1732. 

Ebenezer              , 

,      „    Rachel  Whitmore. 

May  18,  1767. 

Ruth 

,       „    Thomas  Binford. 

Nov.    1,  1770. 

Lydia                   , 

,      „    Daniel  Wiswall,  of  Cambridge. 

May  14,  1772. 

Hannah                 , 

,       „    Watts  Turner. 

Dec.  17,  1772. 

Mercy                   , 

,      „    Isaac  Greenleaf. 

Mar.,        1774. 

Rebecca                , 

,       „    Thomas  Manning. 

Dec.  21,  1775. 

Anna                     , 

,       „    Abel  Richardson. 

Mar.  26,  1776. 

Eunice                  , 

,      „    Joseph  Trask,  of  Boston. 

Nov.  14,  1776. 

Rebecca 

,      „    Aaron  Blanchard. 

Aug.  21,  1777. 

Elizabeth              , 

,       „    Daniel  Swan. 

Nov.    3,  1777. 

Mary 

,      „    Daniel  Collins,  of  Gloucester. 

Nov.  20,  1777. 

Lucy                    , 

,       „    Benjamin  Hall,  jun. 

Nov.  25,  1777. 

Mary                      , 

,      „    Richard  Clark,  of  Watertown. 

Feb.     5,  1778. 

Eleanor                 , 

,       „    Isaac  Green,  of  Lexington. 

May  19,  1778. 

John                     , 

,      „    Elizabeth  Perry,  of  Cambridge. 

May  11,  1779. 

Benjamin              , 

,      „    Lydia  Francis. 

Nov.  24,  1773. 

Abigail                 , 

,       „    Joshua  Symonds,  jun. 

May  23,  1781. 

Sarah                     , 

,       „    Asa  Richardson,  of  Billerica. 

Mar.  31,  1783. 

Abigail                  , 

,      „    Joseph  Tufts,  of  Charlestown. 

70 


554  HISTORY    OF    MEDFOKD. 


Sept.  30,  1784.  Rebecca  Tufts,  m.  John  Blanchard. 

Dec.  16,  1784.  Esther  „       „    Hezekiah  Blanchard,  jun 

Jan.    13,  1785.  Jonathan 

June  12,  1785.  Francis 

Mar.     9,  1786.  Elizabeth 

Jan.   22,  1789.  Nathan,  jun. 

July  27,  1790.  Elizabeth 

July    9,  1792.  Joseph,  jun. 

Jan.     6,  1793.  Lydia 

Nov.  10,  1793.  Simon 

July  12,  1795.  Mrs.  Elizabeth 

Oct.     4,  1795.  Mary 

Jan.     8,1797.  Joseph,  jun. 

Apr.  26,  1798.  Lydia  Hall 

Nov.  16,  1797.  Isaac 

Apr.  23,  1799.  Nathan,  jun 


Deborah  Bucknam. 

Hannah  Greenleaf. 

Edmund  T.  Gates. 

Mary  Thompson. 

David  Parker,  of  Cambridge. 

Sarah  Turner. 

John  Albree,  of  Salem. 

Susanna  Hickling  Cox. 

Duncan  Ingraham,  of  Concord. 

Benjamin  Reed. 

Nancy  Bucknam. 

Isaac  Floyd. 

Ann  Tufts. 

Mary  Gilbert,  of  Charlestown. 


May  19,  1730.  Hannah  Tufts  m.  Solomon  Hancock,  of  Charlestown. 

Sept.    1,  1730.  James  Tufts,  of  Charlestown,  m.  Mary  Dill. 

Nov.  18,  1741.  Jonathan  Tufts,  of  Charlestown,  m.  Sarah  Tompson. 

Nov.  12,  1743.  Benj.  Tufts  m.  Hannah  Johnson,  of  Woburn. 

Oct.      1,1765.  Sarah,  widow  of  Jonathan  Tufts,  d. 

June  20,  1788.  Mrs.  Lydia  „     „ 

Dec.     6,  1788.  Mr.  Joseph  „     „ 

Jan.    12,  1779.  Mrs.  Rebecca  ,,     „ 

Sept.  19,  1779.  ,  widow  of  Joseph  „     „ 

Mar.  16,  1773.  Ruth  „     „ 

June  12,  1784.  Nathan  „     „ 

Sept.  26,  1784.  Jonathan  „     „ 

Nov.    5,  1786.  James  „     „ 

Sept.  10,  1787.  Eleazer  „     „   aged  20. 

Nov.    3,  1788.  Isaac.  „     „      „  17. 

May     4,  1849.  Isaac  „     „      „  44. 

Aug.  12,  1835.  Jacob  „     „      „  44. 

July  19,  1733.  James  „     „      „  59. 

Aug.  12,  1739.  James,  s.  of  John  and  Sarah  „     „      ,,       9  months. 

Jan.    24,  1750.  Jonathan  „     „      „  60  years. 

Sept.  26,  1784.  Jonathan  „     „      „  45. 

Dec.     6,  1778.  Joseph  „     „      „  47. 

Dec.  21,  1758.  Joseph  „     „      „  54. 

Dec.  23,  1753.  Lydia,  wife  of  James  „     „      „  50. 

June  22,  1778.  Lydia,  wife  of  Joseph  „     „      „  75. 

Jan.    26,  1743.  Mary,  wife  of  Benjamin  „     „      „  34. 

Jan.     2,  1749.  Nathan  „     „      „  60. 

June  12,  1784.  Nathan  , 44. 

Dec.  21,  1771.  Nathaniel  '  „     „      „  48. 

Jan.     1,  1770.  Rhoda,  d.  of  M.  and  Phebe  „     „      „  14  days. 

Nov.  26,  1721.  Buth,  wife  of  James  „     „      „  40  years; 

Nov.    2,1721.  Sarah,  d.  of  James  and  Ruth  „     „      „       3. 

July  17,  1742.  Sarah,  „  of  John  and  Sarah  , 17. 

June  25,  1738.  Sarah,  „         „         „         „  „     „      „       2. 

May  18,  1747.  Sarah,  wife  of  John  „     „      „  38. 

Jan.   26,  1750.  Seth,  s.  of  Jona.  and  Han.  „     „      „       3. 

Mar.  24,  1843.  Sarah  „     „      „  78. 

Dec.  26,  1733.  Thomas  „     „      „  51. 

Sept.    3,1748.  Tabitha.d.of  Jona.andHan.  „     „      „  24. 

Sept.  19,  1736.  William  Henry  44. 

Catharine,  wife  of  William  „     „      „  32. 

Daniel  „     „      „  69. 

Dec.  21,  1771.  Nathaniel  „     „      „  48. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  555 


Jan.     4,  1782. 

William                             Tufts,  d.,  aged  24. 

Apr.  30,  1779. 

Mary                                      „     „      „    57. 

Mar.  16,  1806. 

Tabitha  >  wifo  of  James  T „     82. 

Nov.    5,  1786. 

James     $                                  »»      »»      »»     62. 

1  TURELL,  DANIEL,  the  ancestor  of  the  Medford  line,  came  from 

Instow,  co.  Devon,  a  place  between  Barnstable  and  Bideford ; 
was  a  captain  at  Boston,  1646 ;  and.  d.  Jan.  23, 1699.     He  m. 

Lydia ,  who  d.  1658  ;  when  he  m.  Mary,  widow  of  John 

Barrell,  and  dau.  of  Elder  William  Colburn ;  and  had  — 

1-  2     Daniel,  b.  16,  6  mo.,  1646. 

3  Joseph,  „  Dec.    27,  1653. 

4  Samuel,  „  June  14,  1659. 
o  Lydia,  „  Nov.  30,  1660. 
6     Colbourne,    „  Dec.      4,  1662. 

8  Ehzahbeth,}..0ct-     "•  ™*' 

9  Benjamin,      „  June   24,  1665. 

William  Turell,  of  Boston,  is  thought  to  have  been  the 
brother  of  the  above-mentioned  Daniel ;  and,  as  "  Farmer's 
Register  "  countenances  the  supposition,  I  insert  the  record  of 
his  children.     He  m.  Rebecca ,  and  had  — 

Rebecca,  b.  Dec.  26,-1655. 

William,  „  Mar.  16,  1657. 

-  2  Daniel  Turell,  jun.,  m.  Anne ,  and  had  — 

2-10    Mary,  b.  Apr.     4,  1672. 

11  Anna,  „  Mar.    31,  1674. 

12  Lydia,  „  Jan.     17,  1678. 

13  John,  „  Apr.    18,  1693. 

14  Humphrey,    „  Sept.  22,  1696. 

-  3  Joseph  Turell  m.  Sarah  r,  who  d.,  perhaps,  Jan.  15,  1728, 

aged  68  ;  and  had  — 
3-15     Sarah,  b.  Oct.     31,  1679. 

16  Humphrey,    „  May    21,  1681. 

-  4  Samuel  Turell  m.  Lydia,  dau.  of  Anthony  Stoddard,  and  had  — 

a  isi  -vto,^  ™  $ Whittemore,  and  had  Da- 

4-16£Mary,  m- {  niel  and  Samuel. 

17  John,         b.  July  3,  1687. 

18  Christian,  „  Dec.  17,  1688  ;    „  Samuel  Bass. 
18£  Lydia,  „  Cornelius  Thayer. 

19  Ebenezer,  „  Feb.  5,  1702. 

-19  Ebenezer  Turell,  the  minister,  grad.  1721 ;  studied  with  Rev. 

Benjamin  Colman ;  settled  at  M.,  1724,  where  he  d.,  Dec.  8, 
1778.  He  m.,  1st,  Jane  Colman,  Aug.  11,  1726,  who  d.  Mar. 
26,  1735  ;  when  he  m.,  2d,  Oct.  23,  1735,  Lucy,  dau.  of  Adding- 
ton  Davenport,  who  d.  May  17,  1759,  aged  45.  He  m.,  3d, 
Aug.  21, 1760,  Jane,  d.  of  Wm.  Pepperell,  of  Kittery  (who  had  m. 
twice  before;  viz.,  1st,  Benjamin  Clark;  and,  2d,  Wm.  Tyler), 
who  d.  Feb.  6,  1765.    He  had  issue  onlv  by  bis  first  wife ;  viz.,  — 

19-20     Samuel,  b.Feb.     2,  1729 ;  d.  Oct.  8,  1736. 

20£  Clark- Thomas,  bapt.  Aug.  18,  1728;  „  young. 
And  two  children  who  d.  infants. 


Q<f,vr<fr     #rQ«wf  J^rV 

1724 


556  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 

4-18  Christian  Turell  m.,  1st,  Samuel  Bass ;  2d,  John  Armstrong. 

21  Joseph  Turell,  who  is  supposed  to  have  been  a  cousin  of  Rev. 

Ebenezer  T.,  m.,  1st,  a  dau.  of  John  Avis,  and  had  — 
21-22     Joseph,       b.  1750. 

23  Elizabeth,  „  1755  ;  m. Noyes. 

24  Samuel,      „  1757. 

He  m.,  2d,  Mary  Morey,  of  Roxbury,  and  had  — 

25  A  dau.,  m.  Ed.  Gray ;  ch.  were  Mrs.  Tales,  Edward  Gray,  John 

Gray,  and  the  late  F.  T.  Gray. 

21-22  Joseph  Turell,  jun.,  m. ,  and  had  two  sons,  Charles 

and  John ;  of  whom  Charles  had  several  children,  one  of  whom, 
Garland,  is  a  resident  of  Boston. 


1  USHER,  HEZEKIAH,  was  a  prominent  merchant  of  Boston,  and 

in  his  will,  dated  March  11,  1676,  mentions  children :  — 
1-  2     Hezekiah,  b.  June,        1639. 

3  Elizabeth,  m.  Hezekiah  Browne. 

4  John,  „  Apr.  27,  1648. 

5  Hannah,  „   Peter  Butler. 

6  Sarah,  ,N  Jonathan  Tyng. 

His  second  wife,  Elizabeth,  was  dau.  of  Rev.  Zachary  Symmes, 
by  whom  he  had  — 

7  Zachariah,  b.  Dec.  26,  1654. 

He  m.,  3d,  Mary  (Butler  ?).     His  brothers  and  sisters  were  — 

8  Samuel,  who  never  came  to  this  country. 

9  Robert,  of  Conn. 

10  Elizabeth,  m.  John  Harwood,  of  London. 

11     ,  „   Robert  Rolph,  of  Twitts,  Eng. 

12    ,  „   Robert  Alfery,  of  Mayfield,  Eng. 

9  Robert  Usher  was  of  Stamford,  Conn.,  and  had  — 

9-13     Robert. 
14    Elizabeth. 

1-  2  Hezekiah  Usher  m.  Frances,  dau.  of  Lady  Alice  Lisle,  who  d. 

May  25,  1723.     She  was  the  widow  of  Dr.  Leonard  Hoar,  third 
Pres.  H.  C,  who  d.  Nov.  28,  1675.     By  her  Hezekiah  Usher 
had  — 
2-15    Hezekiah,  b.    6,    4mo.,  1639. 

16  John,  „  11,    7  „     1643  ;  d.  10mo.,  1645. 

17  Elizabeth,  „     1,  12  „      1645. 

He  d.  July  11,  1697,  probably  without  surviving  issue. 

1-  4  John  Usher  m.,  1st,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Peter  Sidgett,  and  had  by 

her  — 

a   io     -cr    i.  *v.  i.   t        ,o    ,eer>  (  D-  Jeffries,  Sept.  15, 1686 ;  and 

4-18    Elizabeth,  b.  June  18,  1669  ;  m.  £  ±  June  jy»  ^ 

19  Jane,  „  Mar.    2,  1678. 

He  m.,  2d,  Elizabeth  Allen,  and  had  — 

20  John,  b.  1699. 

21  Frances,  m.  Joseph  Parsons. 

22  Hezekiah. 

23  Elizabeth,  „   Stephen  Harris. 

He  was  a  Mandamus  Councillor,  and  Lieut. -Governor  of  New 
Hampshire.  He  moved  to  Medford,  and  d.  there  Sept.  5, 
1726. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES. 


557 


9-13  Robert  Usher  was  of  Dunstable.     He  m. ,  and  had  — 

13-21     John,     b.  May  31,  1696. 

25     Robert,  „  June,        1700  ;  killed  in  "  Lovewcll's  Fight." 

4-20  John  Usher,  jun.,  H.  C.  1719,  was  a  minister,  and  d.  Apr.  30, 

1775,  leaving  a  son,  — 
20-26     John,  b.  1723  ;  d.  July,  1804,  minister  at  Bristol. 


13-24  John  Usher,  of  Dunstable,  m. 

24-27  John,        b.  May     2,  1728. 

28  Robert,      „  Apr.    9,  1730. 

29  Rachel,      „  1732. 

30  Habijah,    „  Aug.    8,  1734  ;    „ 

24-28  Robert  Usher  m. 

Oct.  13,  1793.    He  had- 

28-31  Eleazer,  b.  1770. 


and  had  — 


„ ,  who  d.  Oct.  19,  1791. 

and  moved  to  Medford,  where  he  d. 


Eleazer  Usher,  of  Medford,  m.  Fanny  Bucknam,  who  d.  Dec. 
23,  1848.    Hed.  Apr.  9,  1852.     Children:  — 

m.  John  Wade. 

„    1st,  W.  Griffin  ;  2d,  W.  Smith. 

„   1st,  Fr.  Wade ;  2d,  A.  Hulin. 

„   Arley  Plummer. 

„    Charles  Philbrick. 


-32 

John  G., 

b.  Sept.    5, 

1800. 

33 

Sarah  B., 

34 

Fanny, 

35 

Mary  Ann, 

36 

Lydia  C, 

37 

Nancy  A., 

38 

Eleazer, 

„  Aug.  25, 

1810. 

39 

James  M., 

„  Nov.  12, 

1814. 

40 

Leonard  B. 

„  Mar.    3, 

1817. 

41 

Henry  W., 

„  Nov., 

1819. 

42 

Roland  G., 

„  Jan.     6, 

1823. 

31-32 


John  G.  Usher  m.  Mary  C.  George,  of  Haverhill,  who  was  b. 
Mar.  21,  1803  ;  and  has  — 
32-43    Helen  M.,  b.  Mar.  17,  1828. 

1840,  b.  Sept.  10, 


■38 

Eleazer  Usher  m.  Jane  K.  Hartwell,  Apr.  6, 

1820.     Children  :  — 

38-44 

Charles  N.,     b.  Sept.  20,  1841. 

45 

George  H.,       „  Jan.   25,  1844. 

46 

Pamelia  A.,     „  Sept.  17,  1846  ;  d.  Nov.  9,  1848, 

47 

Warren  H.,      „  Aug.  18,  1848. 

48 

John  G.,          „  Aug.  27,  1853. 

31-39  James  M.  Usher  m.  Pamelia  Pray,  June  11,  1838,  and  has  — 

39-49  James  F.,     b.  Oct.     1,  1839. 

50  Roland  G.,  „  Sept.  11,  1843. 

51  Mary  F.,      „  July  12,  1850. 

31-40  Leonard  B.  Usher,  b.  Mar.  3,  1817  ;  m.,  May  11,  1843,  Lydia  M. 
Jacobs,  who  was  b.  July  24,  1819;  and  had  — 

40-52  George  L.,      b.  May    15,  1844  ;  d.  Aug.  26,  1844. 

53  Frederic  W.,  „  Oct.      5,  1847. 

54  Fannie  E.,       „  Nov.  22,  1850. 

55  Leonard  B.,     „  Jan.   21,  1852;   „  Aug.  23,  1852. 

31-41  Henry"  W.  Usher  m.  Deborah  Cook,  and  has  — 

41-56  Ella  G. 

57  James  L. 

58  Horace  H. 

59  Arthur  H. 


558  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


11—42  Roland  G.  Usher  m.  Caroline  M.  Mudge,  Jan.  5,  1844,  and  had  — 

42-60  Caroline  A.,     b.  Dec.     5,  1847  ;  d.  Nov.,  1848. 

61  Abbott  L.,        „  Aug.  19,  1849  ;    „  Nov.  13,  1854. 

62  Edward  P.,       „  Nov.  19,  1851. 

63  Caroline  M.,     „  Mar.  28,  1855. 


WADE,  JONATHAN,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  at  Ipswich, 
where  he  was  freeman,  1634.  His  second  wife  was  Mrs.  Dorothy- 
Buckley,  whom  he  m.  Dec.  9,  1660 ;  and  his  third  wife,  Su- 
sannah   ,  d.  Nov.  29,  1678.     He  had  two  bros.,  Nathaniel 

and  Thomas.     He  d.  Dec.,  1683,  leaving  — 


1-  2 

Jonathan,  b. 

1637. 

3 

Nathaniel. 

4 

Thomas. 

5 

Prudence, 

C  1st,  Anthony  Crosby. 
«      (2d,  Samuel  Rogers. 

6 

Susannah, 

„  William  Symonds. 

7 

Elizabeth, 

„  Elihu  Wardwell. 

1-  2  Jonathan  Wade,  jun.,  m.  Deborah,  dau.  of  Hon.  Thos.  Dudley, 

who  d.  Nov.  1,  1683,  aged  39.     He  had  by  her  — 

2-  8     Dudley,     b.  Oct.   18,  1683. 

He  m.,  2d,  Elizabeth ,  by  whom  he  had  — 

Elizabeth,  b.  1687.     " 

Dorothy,    „   Eeb,  17,  1689. 

He  d.  Nov.  24,  1689. 

1-  3  Nathaniel  Wade  m.  Mercy  Bradstreet,  Oct.  31,  1672 ;  and  d. 

Nov.  28,  1707.    His  widow  d.  Oct.  5,  1715,  aged  68.     His  chil- 
dren were  — 

3-  9     Nathaniel,  b.  July  13,  1673. 

I  lr»»aJ"AP'-  •.»««<<•  *»* 

10  Mercy,        „  Sept.  19,  1678  ;  m.  John  Bradstreet,  Oct.  9,  1698. 

11  Jonathan,   „  Mar.    5,  1681. 

12  Samuel,      „  Dec.  31,  1683. 

13  Anne,         „  Oct.     7,  1685. 

14  Dorothy,    „  Mar.  12,  1687 ;    „  Jona.  Willis,  Oct.  17,  1706. 

1-  4  Thomas,  Wade,  of  Ipswich,  m.  Elizabeth  Cogswell,  1670  ;  and  d. 

Oct.  4,  1696,  leaving  — 
4-15     Jonathan. 

16  Thomas. 

16J  J°hn»  minister  at  Berwick ;  H.C.  1693. 

17  Nathaniel. 

18  William,  killed  at  sea,  Apr.  3,  1697, 

3-11  Jonathan  Wade  m.  Mary ,  and  had  — 

11-19     Mercy,    b.  Apr,     8,1704. 
20    Nathan,  „  Feb.  22,  1706. 

3-12  Samuel  Wade  m.  Lydia  Newhall,  Oct.  17,  1706.     He  d.  Dec.  9, 
1738,  leaving  — 

12-21  Lydia,         b.  Sept.  10,  1707. 

22  Sarah.  „  Jan.  18,  1709. 

23  Dorothy,     „  Feb.  22,  1711. 

24  Rebecca,     „  Jan.  28,  1713  ;  m.  Z.  Poole,  of  Read.,  Sept,  18, 1730. 

25  Samuel,       „  Apr.  21,  1715. 

26  Nathaniel,  „  Feb.  20,  1720. 

27  Simon,        „  Mar.  28,  1725. 

28  Elizabeth,    „  May  18,  1729. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  559 


284  Samuel  Wade  m. ,  and  had  — 

28£-29     James,     b.  June,        1750. 

30  Edward,  „  June    7,  1746. 

A  dau.  m.  Mr.  Dexter. 

»  »     >i    Barker. 

,>  ,,     „    Weeden. 

>•  Wade  m. ,  and  had  — 

31  John. 

28J-29        James  Wade  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Rev.  Edward  Uphara,  of  Newport, 
and  had  by  her  — 
29-32     Martha,  m.  Wm.  Brigden,  of  Windsor,  Wis. 

33  Nancy  B.,  „  John  Pickett. 

34  Mary.  „   William  Bettis. 


35 

36  Samuel. 

37  Theodore  L. 

38  Charles  H. 

39  Benjamin  F.  9 

40  Edward. 

28£-30  Edward  Wade  m.  Rebecca  Harnden,  June  10,  1770,  and  had  — 

30-41  Edward,  b.  Mar.  5,  1780. 

42  Fitch,  unm. 

43  Henry.  „ 

44  Rebecca,  m.  Major  John  Wade. 

45  Lucy,  „   Stephen  Waitt,  of  Maiden. 

46  Pamelia,  „   Daniel  Waitt,     „         „ 

47  Susan,  „    1st,  Ezra  Green ;  2d,  Eb.  Townsend. 

29-35  James  Wade  m.  Sarah  Mulford,  and  has  — 

35-48  Ezekiel  M.,  b.  Nov.  14,  1814. 

49  James,  „  Jan.   28,  1824. 

50  Edward,       „  Oct.,         1829. 

29-36  Samuel  Wade  m.  Emily  Caldwell,  and  had  — 

36-51  Sidney,  d.    1850. 

52  Caroline  T.,  b.  July    6,  1822  ;  m.  Philander  Warren. 

53  Gertrude,      „  Jan.     2,  1825. 

54  Thalia,  „  Jan.   13,  1833. 

55  Edward,  3d,  „  Feb.  12,  1838. 

29-37  Theodore  L.  Wade  m.  Augusta  Bettes,  and  has  — 

37-554  Ellen,  b.  July  26,  1836. 

56  Sedgwick  M.,  „  Oct.  28,  1838. 

57  Marcia,  „  Oct.     4,  1840. 

29-38  Charles  H.  Wade  m.  Juliet  Spear,  and  has  — 

38-58  Benjamin  F.,  b.  May    3,  1832. 

59  Decius  S.,         „  Jan.  23,  1835. 

60  Lu&a  A.,         „  May  30,  1846. 

29-39  Benjamin  F.  Wade  m.  Caroline  Rosencrans,  and  had  — 

39-61  James  Wade,  3d,  b.  1843. 

62  Henry,  „  Aug.,  1845. 

29-40  Edward  Wade  m.  Sarah  Louisa  Atkins,  and  has  — 

40-63  William  Q.,    b.  Sept.    4,  1837. 

64  Sarah  F.,         „  Mar.  15,  1840. 

30-41  Edward  Wade  m.  Nancy  Hoskins,  Oct.  26,  1814;  and  d.  Nov. 
27,  1836,  leaving  — 

41-65  Fitch. 


560  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


66  Esther,  m.  Isaac  Wether  bee. 

67  Elizabeth,  ,,   Daniel  Hitchins. 

68  Martha,  ,,  Abiel  Winship. 

I  find,  in  the  church  records,  a  copy  of  the  inscription  on  the  Wade  Tomh,  with  the  follow- 
ing remark  on  it :  "  The  following  is  copied  from  a  communication  of  Turell  Tufts,  Esq.. ;  there 
is  apparently  some  error  in  it.  —  C.  Stetson." 

Major  Wade's  tomb  was  purchased  by  the  late  Ebenezer  Hall,  and  is  now  in  possession  of  his 
children.  The  old  tablet  removed  by  Mr.  Hall  was  of  red  sandstone,  and  contained  the  fol- 
lowing inscriptions :  — 

"  Here  lyeth  interred  the  body  of  Major  Jonathan  Wade,  Esquire,  who  departed  this  life  the 
24th  of  November,  anno  Dom.  1689,  in  the  53d  year  of  his  age. 

"  Also  the  body  of  Dorothy  Wade,  wife  to  said  Jonathan  W-ide,  Esquire,  daughter  of  Hon- 
ourable Thomas  Dudley,  Esquire,  deceased  the  1st  of  November,  1638,  in  the  40th  year  of  her 
age. 

"Also  the  body  of  Dudley  Wade,  son  of  said  Jonathan  Wade,  Esquire;  and 

"Also  the  body  of  Dorothy  Wade,  daughter  of  the  said  Jonathan  Wade,  Esquire. 

"  And  Elizabeth  Wade,  his  last  wife,  who  was  born  the  7th  of  February,  1637,  and  deceased 
the  month  of  June,  1688."     [This  last  date  was  1678.] 

[Here  follows  the  place  for  two  names,  illegible.] 

"  Here  lies  interred  the  body  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Wade,  daughter  of  the  Honourable  Jonathan 
Wade,  Esquire,  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  who  departed  this  life  August  19,  1721,  aged  34 
years." 

Prudence    Wade  m.  Thomas  Swfen,  of  Roxbury,  Sept.  27,  1692. 
Abigail  ,,     „    Rev.  Thomas  Goss,  of  Boston,  Dec.  3,  1741. 

John  „      „    Elizabeth  Poole,  Jan.  22,  1766. 

Major  Samuel  „     d.   Nov.  28,  1707. 
Mercy,  wife  of  same,,   Oct.  5,  1715,  aged  68. 


1  WAIT,  PETER,  had  by  wife  Sarah,  who  d.  Aug.  16,  1717, 

1-  2     Sarah,  b.  Jan.  15,  1714. 
3     Mercy,,,  Apr.  28,  1716. 


1  WARREN,  ISAAC,  m.,  1st,  Ruth  Hall,  Nov.  19,  1741,  who  d. 

Oct.  14,  1749  ;  by  whom  he  had  — 

1-  2    Isaac,         b.  Dec.  13,  1745. 

3  Abigail,      „  June  22,  1748. 

And,  2d,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Samuel  Reeves,  Oct.  3,  1754,  who 
d.  Mar.  11,  1791 ;  and  had  — 

4  Thomas,     b.  Dec.  19,  1755. 

5  Elizabeth,  „  Nov.    8,  1757. 

He  d.  Nov,  22,  1794,  aged  80. 

2  Isaac  Warren  m.  Elizabeth ,  and  had  — 

2-  6    Isaac,   b.  Aug.  9,  1787. 

7  Amos,  „  1789. 

8  George  W.,  Mayor  of  Charlestown. 


1  WEBER,  BENJAMIN,  m.  Susanna  Whitmore,  Sept.  6,   1727, 

and  had  — 

1-  2  Susanna,    b.  Mar.  21,  1728. 

3  Martha,       „  Aug.    2,  1729. 

4  Benjamin,  „  Feb.  14,  1731. 
6  John  „  Dec.    5.  1732. 

He  d.  July  27,  1732,  aged  34. 

6  Josiah  Weber  m.  Elizabeth ,  and  had  — 

6-  7  Elizabeth,  b.  July  27,  1744. 

8  Josiah,        „  Oct.  26,  1745. 

9  Benjamin,  „  June  15,  1748. 

10  James  Weber  m.  Susanna ,  and  had  — 

10-11  James,        b.  Apr.  27,  1754. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES..  561 


1 2  James  Weber  m.  Sarah ,  and  had  — 

12-13     Sarah,        b.  Aug.  19,  1758. 
14     Mary,  „  May     9,  1760. 

Jonathan  Weber  m.  Mary  Whitmore,  Aug.  19,  1725  ;  and  d.  Oct. 
16,  1730,  aged  28. 

James  Weber  d.  Mar.  19,  1729,  aged  64  ;  probably  father  of  Jona- 
than, James,  Benjamin,  and  Nathan. 

Nathan  Weber  d.  Oct.  15,  1739,  aged  35. 

Mary  „      m.  Joseph  White,  of  Lexington,  Jan.  1,  1735. 


1-  2 

Elizabeth, 

3 

Francis, 

4 

John, 

5 

Samuel, 

6 

Abigail, 

7 

Sarah, 

WHITMORE,  FRANCIS,  b.  1625;  m.  Isabel,  dau.  of  Richard 
Parke,  of  Cambridge,  who  is  believed  to  have  been  son  of  Henry 
Parke,  a  merchant  of  London.  By  his  first  wife,  who  d.  Mar. 
31,  1665,  he  had  — 

b.  May    2,  1649  ;  m.  Daniel  Markham. 

„  Oct.  12,  1650;  remov.  to  Middlet.,  Ct.,  and  left  heirs. 

„  Oct.     1,  1654. 

„  May     1,  1658 ;       „       „  Lexington,  „     „        „ 

„  July     3,  1660;  m. Wilcox. 

„  Mar.    7,  1662  ;    „  William  Locke. 

He  m.,  2d,  Margaret  Harty,  Nov.  10,  1666,  who  d.  Mar.  1, 1686  ; 
and  had  — 

8  Margaret,  b.  Sept.    9,  1668 ;  m.  Thomas  Carter. 

9  Frances,      „  Mar.    3,1671;   ,,   Jonathan  Tompson. 

10  Thomas,      „  1673  ;  lived  in  Killingly,  Ct.,  and  had  issue. 

11  Joseph,       „  c.  1675;      „     „  Woburn,  „         „ 


r-j^v?* 


The  earliest  mentioned  person  by  the  name  of  Whitmore  I  have  yet  met 
with  is  John  of  Stamford,  who  was  living  in  Wethersfiuld  in  1639.     He  was 
killed  by  the  Indians  in  1648,  leaving  a  son,  John.     I  have  some  reason  to 
suspect  that  he  was  the  father  of  all  of  the  name  here,  and  that  the  following 
will  give  about  the  record  of  his  children's  births :  — 
Thomas,  b.        1615  ;  the  ancestor  of  the  Wetmores. 
Ann,        „  (?)  1621 ;  m.  George  Farrar. 
Mary,      ,,  (?)  1623  ;    „   John  Brewer.    < 
71 


562 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


of   Cambridge. 

of   Stamford,  1650. 


4-12 
13 
14 


Francis,  b.    1625 ; 

John,   „  (?)  1627; 

Francis  Whitmore,  of  Cambridge,  owned  lands  there,  near  the  Plain ;  near 
Charles  River,  by  the  Boston  line;  in  Charlestown,  near  Minottamie;  near 
Dunbarke's  Meadow ;  and  also  in  Medford  and  Lexington.  His  house  stood 
on  the  dividing  line  between  Cambridge  and  Lexington,  and  is  mentioned  in 
the  act  of  division.  He  served  in  the  Indian  wars,  under  Major  Willard,  as 
the  treasurers'  books  witness.  His  name,  with  his  wife's,  stands  on  a  petition 
in  favor  of  an  old  woman  charged  with  being  a  witch ;  hence  he  can  hardly 
have  been  of  the  extreme  Puritan  party,  although  a  member  of  the  church. 

John  Whitmore  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  Medford,  at  least 
at  the  period  when  the  records  commence.  He  m.,  1st,  Rachel, 
dau.  of  Francis  Eliot,  and  widow  of  John  Poulter,  of  Cambridge. 
His  children  by  her  were  — 

Ab?gali;}b-May    8>1678>m.  John  Elder. 

John,  „  Aug.  27,  1683. 
He  m.,  2d,  Rebecca  Cutter,  June  3,  1724  ;  and  d.  Feb.  22, 1739. 
Dec.  24, 1680,  he,  with  John  Hall,  Thomas  Willis,  Stephen  Willis,  and  Ste- 
phen Francis,  divided  the  Collins  Farm  between  them ;  Caleb  Hobart  having 
previously  sold  John  W.  one-fourth  of  this  estate.  In  addition  to  this  land, 
he  owned  the  house  shown  on  a  preceding  page,  and  also  land  in  Billerica 
and  Charlestown.  He  was  in  service,  under  Major  Sway  ne,  against  the  Indians 
at  Saco ;  and  his  wife  petitioned  the  General  Court  that  her  husband  might 
be  restored  to  her  and  her  three  infant  children.  The  fall  after  his  return, 
he  was  engaged  in  purchasing  lands  and  building  a  house.  His  funeral 
sermon  was  by  Mr.  Turell,  from  Acts  xxi.  16. 


^«^/ 


4-12 

Francis  "\ 

12-15 

Sarah, 

16 

Hannah, 

17 

Anna, 

18 

Eliot, 

19 

Rachel, 

20 

Mercy, 

21 

Elizabeth, 

4-14 

14-22 


Francis  Whitmore  m.,  1st,  Anna  Peirce,  Dec.  7,  1699,  and  had  — 
b.  May    4,  1701. 
„  Jan.   22,  1703  ;  d.   same  year. 
„  May     4,  1707. 

„  Mar.  13,  1710;    „   Mar.  16,  1713. 
„  Apr.     1,  1712;  m.  Eben.  Tufts,  Feb.  17,  1731. 
„  Mar.  11,  1714. 
„  July  21,  1716;    "  Thos.  FiUebrowne,  Mar.  30, 1732. 

His  wife  d.  Aug.  6,  1716.     His  2d  wife,  Mary ,  d.  Mar.  29, 

1760.     He  d.  Feb.  6,  1771. 

He  was  associated  in  business  with  his  brother  John,  and  also  carried  on 
the  trade  of  a  tanner ;  he  bought  land  of  Stephen  Willis,  to  be  used  as  a  tan- 
yard.     He  also  owned  land  near  Marbey  Brook,  besides  his  property  in  Med- 

John  Whitmore  m.  Mary  Lane,  of  Bedford,  and  had  — 

Mary,        b.  July  17,  1707 ;  m.  \  \s}>  J*  W5Ibr?r.'  AuS-  19>  1725' 
(  2d, White. 

23     Susanna,  „  Nov.  25,  1708 ;    „   $  J8*-  BenJ;  Weber,  Sept.  6, 1727. 


John, 
Francis, 

Martha, 

William, 


2d, 


Apr. 
Oct. 


15,  1711. 
4,  1714. 


Page. 


Apr.  22,  1716 ; 
Dec.  19,  1725. 


(  John  Skinner,  Dec.  22, 
I  and  d.  Mar.  6,  1780. 


1743: 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  563 


John  d.  Mar.  26, 1753.  His  widow  d.  Mar.  27,  1783,  aged  96.  He  was  at 
first  a  housewright,  but  afterwards  went  into  business  with  his  brother.  He 
owned  niuch  property  in  Medford;  and  bis  oldest  son,  John,  having  removed 
to  Bedford,  he  resided  there  chierly  in  his  old  age,  and  was  so  liberal  a  bene- 
factor to  the  church  as  to  be  mentioned  with  gratitude  on  the  records.  His 
daughters  all  left  issue;  and  one  of  them,  Susanna,  left  descendants,  now 
living  in  Lexington,  by  the  name  of  Chandler,  who  still  preserve  some  relics 
of  their  ancestor.  The  family  of  Lane,  when  it  emigrated  from  England,  left 
property  there,  the  rents  of  which  were  paid  to  the  heirs,  John  Whitmore's 
descendants  included,  until  within  fifty  years,  when  the  heirs,  being  nume- 
rous, sold  the  estate,  and  divided  it. 

14-24  John  Whitmore  m.  Martha  Lane,  of  Bedford,  and  had  — 

24-28  John,         b.  Oct.  23,  1737  ;  d.  Aug.  29,  1743. 

29  William,    „  Mar.  17,  1739;   „  Sept.  11,  1743. 

30  Ebenezer,  „  Jan.     1,  1741 ;  „  Aug.  24,  1743.  ' 

31  Martha,      „  Sept.  30,  1742;  „  Apr.  17,  1750. 

32  Mary,        „  May    2,  1744. 

33  Lucy,        „  Nov.    8,  1745;  „  Feb.  16,  1750. 

34  Susanna,   „  July  16,  1747;   „  Mar.    4,  1750. 

35  John,         „  June  13,  1749  ;  „  Feb.  21,  1750. 

He  d.  Oct.  25, 1748,  and  his  wife  removed  to  Conn.  He  was  a  leading  man 
in  Bedford,  being  selectman,  treasurer,  and  clerk.  The  town,  during  his  life, 
sent  no  representative. 

J***    %Mn^- 

14-25  Francis  "Whitmobe,  jun.,  m.  Mary  Hall,  Jan.  1,  1739,  and  had  — 

25-36  Stephen,     b.  Oct.  21,  1739. 

37  Francis,  bap.  Aug.  16,  1741. 

38  William,    b.  Sept.    6,  1746. 

39  Mary,  „  Dec.  25,  1750;  m.  Thomas  Blodgett,  of  Lexington. 

40  Elizabeth,  „  Nov.  27,  1752;    „   Elisha  Seavins. 

41  John,  „  Nov.  25,  1754. 

42  Susanna,     „  Sept.  14,  1757 ;    „   Thomas  Dinsmore. 

43  Andrew,  .  „  Oct.     2,  1760. 

Francis  W.  was  engaged  in  business  in  Medford;  but  his  too  generous 
method  of  dealing  embarrassed  his  affairs ;  and  having,  with  Rev.  Mr.  Stone, 
purchased  a  township  on  the  Kennebec,  he  removed  thither  with  his  oldest 
son ,  Stephen.  He  was  engaged  in  shipping  masts  for  the  royal  navy,  an  occu- 
pation which  gave  much  offence  to  the  squatters  on  the  crown  lands.  He  d. 
Apr.  27, 1794;  and  his  wife  d.  Oct.  20, 1791,  aged  79. 

14-27  William  Whitmore  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Brooks, 

Oct.  1,  1747,  and  had  — 


564  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


27-44  William,  b.  May    3,  1748  ;  d.    Nov.  19,  1775. 

45  John,         „  May  31,  1750;   „    July  28,  1750. 

46  Mary,        „  Oct.   25,  1752;  m.  Walker,  of  Bindge. 

47  Sarah,       „  Nov.    7,  1757 ;  d.   s.p. 

48  Samuel,    „  Dec.  15,  1759 ;   „    Oct.  22,  1762. 

49  Martha,  ,,    s.p. 

He  was  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College ;  but  bodily  weakness  prevented 
him  from  active  pursuits,  though  he  was  a  schoolmaster  for  a  short  time. 
The  manner  of  his  death  was  very  peculiar ;  he  having  died  in  consequence  of 
an  illness  produced  by  a  dread  of  the  smallpox.  He  d.  Mar.  10, 1760.  His 
widow  d.  Oct.  10,  1765. 

25-36  Stephen  Whitmore  m.  Mary  Whittemore,  July  14,  1763,  and 

had  — 

b.  May  19,  1764  ;  m.  John  Springer. 
„  Sept.  15,  1765;  d.,  s.p.,  1787. 

„  June  11,  1768. 

„  Mar.  19,  1770  ;    „      „     July  22,  1795. 
„  Nov.  25,  1771 ;  still  living  (1855). 
„  Aug.  22,  1773;  m.  Mary  Rogers. 
„  July  12,  1775;   „   Elizabeth  Temple. 
„  Oct.  26,  1777. 
„  Feb.     9,  1779. 
„  Oct.   12,  1782. 

„  Sept.  16,  1785;  d.  Oct.  1,  1785. 
He  d.  Oct.  15,  1816. 

25-37  Francis  Whitmore,  3d,  m. ■,  and  had  — 

37-62     Elizabeth  Sanders,  bapt.  Oct.   13,  1765;  d.  Aug.  22,  1777. 
63     Francis,  „     Aug.    2,  1767  ;  „  Aug.  14,  1820. 

He  removed  to  Boston,  and  with  him  the  name  departed  from  Medford; 
within  a  year  or  two,  one  of  the  name  has  occasionally  resided  there ;  but 
now  he  also  has  gone. 

25-41  John  Whitmore  m.  Huldah  Crooker,  Apr.  12,  1781  ;  and  had  — 

41-64  William  D.,  b.  Nov.    3,  1781. 

65  Mary,  „  July  19,  1783  ;  d.   July  7,  1792. 

66  John,  „  July     6,  1785. 

67  Huldah  E,.,    „  Dec.  14,  1787. 

68  Thomas,         „  Oct.   17,  1789;  m.  ^  ^^P1^ ;  d.,5.p.,Mar. 

69  Isaiah  C,  „  Feb.  21,  1792. 

70  Gamaliel,  „  Feb.     8,  1794. 

71  Swanton,  „  Feb.  14,  1796. 

72  Creighton,  ,,  Mar.  19,  1799. 

73  Angeline,  „  Nov.  14,  1801 ;    „  J.  C.  Humphrevs. 

74  Elizabeth,  „  July  31,  1803  ;„  Levi  Gould,  and  d.  1849. 

75  Almira,  „  Feb.  14,  1807  ;    „  John  Lovey. 


;-5o 

Elizabeth  C, 

51 

Stephen, 

52 

Samuel,    ) 

53 

William,  ) 

54 

Francis, 

55 

John, 

56 

Jonathan  Wins, 

57 

Benjamin, 

58 

Mary, 

59 

Rhoda, 

60 

Sarah, 

61 

Andrew, 

Joiv 


wi    hf/a/tyf  /frjOy*^— 


25-43  Andrew  Whitmore  m.  Lucy  Couillard,  and  had  — 

43-76  James  C,       b.  Jan.  19,  1787. 

77  William  H.,  „  Sept.  10,  1788. 

78  Merrill,  „  Feb.  20,  1792;  d.,  s.p.,  1813. 

79  Elizabeth  C,  „  Apr.  18,  1794. 

80  Sophia  F.,      „  Oct.      9,  1803i 

81  Louisa,  „  Oct.    10,  1806. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  565 


36-55  John  Whitmore  m.  Sarah  McLellan,  and  had  — 

55-82  Amherst,         b.  Sept.  18,  1805. 

83  Philena,  „  May    2,  1807. 

84  John,  „  Jan.  29,  1809. 

85  Hannah  S.,       „  Sept.  16,  1810. 

86  Nathaniel  M.,  „  Oct.     1,1812. 

87  Stephen,  „  May     9,  1814. 

88  Sarah,  „  Jan.     9,  1816. 

89  Chadbourne,     „  Oct.     4,  1818. 

90  Samuel,  „  Feb.  15,  1820. 

41-64  "William  D.  Whitmore  m.  Rhoda  Woodward,  Jan.  20,  1805,  and 
had  — 

64-91  Charles,       b.  Dec,  19,  1805  ;    d.  Mar.  24,  1807. 

92  Charles  O.,  „  Nov.    2,  1807. 

93  Martha,        „  May    9,1810;    „  Nov.  3,  1814. 

94  Huldah,       „  Aug.    1,  1812;  m.  W.  G.  Barrows. 

He  d.  1819. 


(T7C 


John  Whitmore  m.  Mary  Wheeler;  and  d.  Feb.  30,  1818.     He 
had  — 
-95     Abigail,         b.  Jan.,        1813. 

96  Gilbert  D.,    „  Aug.  17,  1815. 

97  Mary  Anne,  „  Dec,        1817. 

Isaiah  C.  Whitmore  m.  Elizabeth  Ann  Culver,  and  had  — 


69-98 

Mary  E., 

b.  June  23,  1823  ;  d. 

Aug.    8,  1848. 

99 

Frederic  H., 

„  Dec.     8,  1824 ;  m. 

Mary  E.  Curtiss,  Oct.  21,  1843 

100 

William  P., 

„  June  28,  1827. 

101 

Virginia, 

„  Nov.  15,  1828. 

102 
103 

Isaiah  C,  \ 
Edward,    \ 

„  Feb.  21,  1830  ;  \  d 

.  June  27,  1839. 
Mar.  14,  1830. 

104 

Emma, 

„  Nov.  14,  1831 ;     ," 

Apr.    9,  1842. 

105 

Julia  Ann., 

„  Feb.  24,  1834  ;     „ 

May     1,  1835. 

106 

Henry, 

„  Nov.  30,  1836. 

107 

Edward  C, 

„  June  12,  1840 ;     „ 

Oct.     1,  1841. 

108 

Edwin, 

„  Apr.     5,  1842. 

109 

Azelia, 

„  June    6,  1844. 

110 

Franklin  G. 

„  Sept.    8,  1846. 

64-92 

Charles  O. 

Whitmore  m.  Lovice  Ayres,  and  had  — 

92-111 

Charles  J., 

b.  Apr.  27,  1834. 

112 

William  H., 

„  Sept.    6,  1836. 

113 

Martha  H., 

„  Sept.    5,  1838. 

114 

Anna  L., 

„  Sept.  16,  1840. 

115 

Charlotte  R. 

,  „  Mar.    9,  1843. 

116 

Creighton, 

„  Dec.  16,  1845;  d. 

Apr.  25,  1848. 

His  wife  dying  Sept.  27,  1849,  he  m.,  2d,  Oct.  30,  1851,  Mary 
E.  Blake,  widow  of  George  Blake,  jun.,  of  Boston,  who  has 
by  her  first  husband  two  daughters. 


WIER,  ELEAZER,  and  Catharine,  had  — 
Elizabeth,  b.  July  11,  1696. 
Susanna,    „  May    8,  1699. 


566  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


4  Eliot,  b.  May  16,  1701. 

5  Prudence,  „  May  18,  1703. 

6  Catharine,  „  Mar.  16,  1706. 


1  WILD,  SILAS,  of  Braintree,  was  b.  Mar.  8,  1736.     He  m.,  1st, 

Ruth  Thayer,  who  d.  Dec.  29,  1793  ;  leaving  — 
Sarah. 
Jonathan. 

1-2     K}b-Jan-13'1762- 

He  m.,  2d,  Sarah  Kingman,  of  Weymouth.     He  d.  Sept.  30, 
1807. 

1-  2  Silas  Wild  mi,  1st,  Abigail  Wild,  who  was  b.  Feb.  4,  1761,  and 

d.  Jan.  8,  1803  ;  leaving  children  :  — 

2-  3     Silas,  b.  Jan.  23,  1787. 

James  T. 
Abigail. 
Elizabeth  A. 
Mary  C. 
Alden. 
Lydia. 

Washington.  } 
Adams.  5 

He  m.,  2d,  Mrs.  Deborah  (Noyes)  Hayden,  who  d.  Sept.  12, 
1S45,  aged  91.    He  d.  Oct.  12,  1828. 

2-  3  Silas  Wild  m.  Ruth  Reed,  of  Braintree,  Mar.  19,  1812,  who  was 

b.  Dec.  1,  1785.     He  had  — 
Abigail,  b.  June  17,  1814. 

3-  4     George  W.,     „  Aug.  29,  1816. 

5  Silas  P.,  „  Aug.  24,  1818. 

Jonathan  S.,    „  Apr.  29,  1820;  d.   Sept.  18,  1820. 

Elizabeth  R.,  „  Aug.  14.  1821 ;  m.  Alfred  Odiorne,  Apr.  1,  1852. 

Mary  P.,  „  Mar.     7,  1823. 

6  Henry  M.,       „  Dec.  26,  1825. 

Ellen  R.,         „  Oct.  18,  1828  ;    „  Elijah  Sampson,  of  Duxbury. 
Ann  J.,  „  July    7,  1833. 

He  moved  to  Medford  in  1832. 

3-  4  George  W.  Wild  m.  Elizabeth  M.  Otis,  June  3,  1840,  who  was 

b.,  Aug.  31,  1818,  in  Exeter,  N.H.     No  issue. 

3-  5  Silas  F.  Wild  m.  Lucy  D.   Smith,  Oct.   26,  1843,  who  was  b. 

July  11,  1819.     Child:  — 
Emma  Warren,  b.  Feb.  17,  1845. 

3-  6  Henry  M.  Wild  m.  Caroline  S.  Bean,  Oct.  22,  1850,  who  was 

b.  in  Durham,  Nov.  16,  1822.     Child  :  — 
Henry  F.,  b.  June  4,  1853. 


1  WILLIS,  GEORGE,  was  freeman,  May  2,  1638,  then  living  at 

Cambridge  with  wife  Jane.     In  a  petition  to  Andros,  1688,  he 
states  his  age  to  be  86,  and  that  he  had  lived  in  Cambridge  near 
sixty  years.     He  d.  1690,  aged  c.  90.    His  children  were  — 
1-  2    Thomas,    b.  Dec.  28,  1638. 
3     Stephen,     „  Oct.   14,  1644. 

2  Thomas  Willis  m.  Grace ,  who  d.  Jan.  23,  1716.    He  lived 

first  in  Billerica,  where  he  had  three  or  four  children.      He 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES.  567 


moved  afterwards  to  Medford.  In  1708,  he  conveyed  to  his  son 
Stephen  land  and  housen  by  the  Mill  Creek,  in  Boston.  He  d. 
Aug.  14,  1725.     His  children  b.  in  Medford  were  — 

2-  4     Elizabeth,  b.  Oct.   19,  1673. 

5  Jane,  „  Apr.    9,  1677. 

6  Stephen,     „  Nov.  16,  1679. 

7  Mary,  „  Mar.     1,  1682. 

8  William,     „  July    7,  1685. 

1-  3  Stephen  Willis  lived  inBraintree;  moved  to  Medford  1678,  in 

which  year  he  sold  Caleb  Hobart,  of  Braintree,  a  piece  of  land 

in  that  town.     He  m.  Hannah -,  avIio  d.  Mar.  22, 1732,  aged 

81.     He  d.  July  29,  1718.     Children  were  — 

3-  9     Abigail,        b.  Oct.     3,  1677  ;  m.  Wm.  Patten,  May  3,  1701. 

10  Thomas,        „  Sept.  19,  1679;  d.   May  16,  1731. 

C  Rebecca  Tufts,  Apr.  17,  1717, 

11  John,  „  Aug.    6,  1681;  m.  }  who  d.  Aug.  21,  1747,  aged 

(54.     He  d.  Aug.  8,  1755. 


C  1st,  Dorothy  Wade,  Oct.  17, 

12 

Jonathan, 

„  Feb.  23,1684;  „  ^  1706  ;  2d,  widow  Mary  Eliot, 
(  1726.  He  d.  s.  p.,  Sept.,  1749. 
fRuth    Bradshaw,   Feb.    10, 

13 

Benjamin, 

,  „  Oct.  30,  1686;  „  1  1714,  who  d.  Feb.  19,  1752. 
(  He  d.  Feb.  3,  1767. 

14 

Hannah, 

„                   1688  ;  „   Peter  Seccomb. 

15 

Mary, 

„  July  15,  1690;  „   Benj.  Parker,  Apr.  22,  1714. 

16 

Stephen. 

17 

Rebecca, 

,,   Thomas  Seccomb. 

6 

Stephen 

Willis  m.  Susanna  •,  and  d.  Mar,  15,  1718.     She 

d.  Mar. 

12,1742.     His  children  were  — 

6-18 

Susanna, 

b.  Nov.  13,  1699  ;  d.  Nov.    8,  1700. 

19 

Deborah, 

„  June  27,  1701 ;  „   July  15,  1718. 

20 

Eliot, 

„  Aug.  13,  1702;  „  Jan.   21,  1705. 

21 

Patience, 

„  Dec.  26,  1708. 

22 

Mary, 

„  Apr.  18,  1710. 

23 

Stephen, 

„  Oct.  22,  1712. 

24 

Jonathan, 

„  Mar.  24,  1714;  „   Oct.   19,  1714. 

25 

Mary, 

„  Jan.   29,  1716;  „   May  18,  1736. 

-  8  William  Willis  m.  Rebecca ,  who  d.  Sept.  30,  1754,  aged 

63.     He  d.  Aug  27,  1754,  aged  60,  and  had  — 
8-26     Thomas,  b.  Aug.,  1710;  d.  young. 

Stephen  Willis  possibly  (6-23)  m.  Elizabeth  Bradshaw,  Nov.  12, 
1741,  and  had  — 

27  Stephen,      b.  Aug.  19,  1742. 

28  Hannah,       „  Nov.  27,  1743. 

29  Elizabeth,     „  Aug.  29,  1745. 

30  John,  „  Sept.  17,  1747. 

31  Mercy,  „  Feb.     7,  1750. 

32  Susanna,       „  June  21,  1753. 

33  Mary,  „  Sept.    5,  1756. 

A  Captain  Stephen  Mills,  possibly  same  as  above,  had  by  wife 
Mary,  son  (34)  Stephen,  b.  Nov.  20,  1758. 

35  John  Willis,  probably  a  near  relative  of  Thomas  (2)  and  Stephen 

(3),  m.  Esther,  or  Hester ,  and  had  — 

35-36     John,        b.  Sept.    6,  1694  ;  d.  Oct.  10,  1694. 
37    Andrew,  „  Sept.  30,  1695. 


568  HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


„„     _._.,  u-nu    ,.   ,™    C  m.  Nathan  Hay  ward,  of  Lancaster, 

38  Esther,      b.  Feb.  16,  1703  ;  £  June  2Q>  m^  > 

39  Thomas,    „  Mar.    4,  1705. 

3-11  ?        John,  possibly  same  as  (3-11),  and  Mary  Willis,  had  dau.  Mary, 
d.  Feb.  3,  1719,  aged  5. 

Mary,  wife  of  John  Willis,  d.  Feb.  12,  1716,  aged  27  years  10 

months. 
The  foregoing  are  all  that  can  be  found  on  our  Medford  records ;  but  there 
are  two  branches  probably  connected,  which  I  desire  to  record. 

Benjamin  Willis  m.  Ann  Gammell,  of  Medford,  and  was  proba- 
bly connected  with  the  Medford  branch  ;  very  likely  as  son  of 
Benjamin  (13).     He  was  killed  at  Louisburg,  leaving  a  son,  — 

Benjamin,  b.  Jan.  10,  1743,  who  m.  Mary  Ball,  of  Charlestown, 

Oct.  3,  1766,  and  had  — 

„-.      .  .    ,,  17CQ     C  father  of  Hon.  William  Willis, 

Benjamin,      b.  Mar.,        1768  ;   J  of  Portland- 

Mary,  „  Dec.  13,  1774. 

Ann,  „  Aug.  24,  1778. 

Elizabeth  B.,  „  June  27,  1782. 

Robert  B.,       „  Mar.  15,  1784. 

Hon.  William  Willis  has  kindly  furnished  me  with  these  facts,  and  is  better 
informed  on  the  genealogy  of  the  family  than  any  person  now  living.  His 
antiquarian  taste  has  found  this  a  welcome  field  for  research. 

Charles  Willis,  in  all  probability  a  brother  of  the  forementioned 

Benjamin,  m.  Anna  Ingols,  1727,  and  had  — 
Charles,  b.  Aug.  21,  1728.  / 

Anna,     „  Dec.  29,  1731. 

Charles  Willis,  jun.,  m.  Abigail  Belknap,  gr.-dau.  of  Rev.  John 

Bailey,  of  Watertown,  and  had  — 
Charles. 

Nathaniel,  b.  1760 ;  d.  1832. 
Abigail,  m.  Isaac  Collins. 

Of  these, — 

Nathaniel  Willis  m.  Lucy  Douglass,  of  New  London,  and  had  — 

Andrew,  d.  young. 

Nathaniel,  b.  June    6,  1780. 

Rebecca,      „  1782 ;  m.  Samuel  Richards. 

He  m.,  2d,  Mary  Cartmell,  and  had  — 
Sarah,  m.  Judge  Easton,  of  La. 


Mary, 

„    McDonald. 

Eliza, 

„    D.  R.  Ferguson. 

Catharine, 

„   Carpenter. 

Madeline, 

„    Hiram  Still. 

James  M. 

Henry  C. 

Matilda. 

Julian  D., 

deceased. 

The  oldest  son,  Nathaniel,  is  the  well-known  publisher  in  Bos- 
ton.    He  m.,  Julv  22,  1803,  Hannah  Parker,  who  was  b.  Jan. 
28,  1782,  and  d.Mar.  21,  1844.     Their  children  were  — 
Lucy  D.,  b.  May   11,  1804  ;  m.  J.  F.  Bumstead. 

fist,  Oct.  1,  1835,  M. 

•kt  .o      •  i  t.    i        &.         ii  i  I  Stace,  who  d.  Mar.  25, 

NahW  Parker,  the  well-known  au-         '  1846    2d>  c.  Gri„nelL 

thor,  b.  Jan.    20,  1806  ;       \  Qct  [§  ^  who  ^ 

lb.  Mar.  19,  1826. 


REGISTER    OF    FAMILIES. 


569 


Louisa  II., 
Julia  D., 


b.  May  11,  1807. 
„  Feb.  28,  1809. 


Sarah  P.  (Fanny  Fern),,  July     9,1811 


H 


Mary  P., 
Edward  P., 
Richard  Storrs, 

Ellen  H., 


Nov.  28,  1813  ;  „ 
July  23,  1816  ;  d., 
Feb.  10,  1819;  m. 

Sept.  23,  1821 ;    „ 


Charles     H.     El- 

dridge,     May     4, 

1837. 

Joseph       Jenkins, 
I  Aug.,  1831. 
unm.,  Mar.  22,  1853. 
C  Jesse  Cairnes,  Sept. 

30,  1852. 

C.  F.  Dennet,  June 
1843,    and    d. 
1844. 


(C.F. 
<12,  1 
(  Feb.  < 


WYMAN,  JAMES,  of  Medford,  was  b.  in  Woburn,  Sept.  28, 
1726.  His  father  was  Joshua  Wyman,  by  his  wife  Mary  Pollard. 
Joshua  was  fifth  son  of  William  Wyman,  by  his  wife  Prudence 
Putnam;  was  b.  Jan.  3,  1693,  and  d.  c.  1770.  William  W. 
was  second  son  of  Francis  W.,  of  Woburn,  who  came  here  at 
an  early  date,  and  m.,  2d,  Abigail  Read.  William  was  b.  1656. 
His  father,  Francis,  d.  Nov.  28,  1699,  aged  c.  82.  James 
Wyman,  of  Medford,  m.  Susanna  Cutter,  Mar.  18,  1756,  who 
d.,  aged  38,  May  12,  1772.  He  d.  Oct.  26,  1813.  Children 
were  — 

(  1st,  Mehitable ;  2d,  Mary 

I  Gill. 

Mary  Wheeler. 

Susanna  Francis. 

Joseph  M.  Sanderson. 

Abigail  Brooks. 


1-  2     James,      b.  Jan.   21, 


William, 
Joshua, 
Susanna, 
Zaccheus 


1757; 
1760; 


Dec.  7, 
Jan.  13,  1765; 
May  1,  1767 ; 
Nov.  10,  1769 ; 


Catharine  Wyman, 

Elizabeth  „ 

Seth  „ 

James  „ 
Phebe 

James  „ 

Joseph  „ 

Joseph  „ 

Joseph  „ 


John 
Jonathan 


m.  William  Tufts. 

„  Samuel  Wakefield,  Jan.  2,  1749. 

of  Charlestown,  „  Ruth  Wright,  June  4,  1744. 

of  Woburn,         „  Elizabeth  Brooks,  May  18,  1787. 

„  Caleb  Brooks,  2d,  Nov.  20,  1800. 

„  Susanna  Cutter. 

„  Ruth  Feroll,  Mar.  15,  1781. 

„  Mary  Wyman,  Nov.  15,  1781. 

„  Mary  Dalton,  Nov.  13,  1790. 

„  Hannah  Wheeler,  July  7,  1821. 

„  Ruhama  Richardson,  Feb.  26,  1765. 

,,  Sarah  Mansfield. 


72 


ADDENDA, 


All  the  dates  of  births,  &c,  recorded  in  the  first  volume  of  the  town-records, 
being  all  previous  to  the  year  1718,  have  been  incorporated  in  the  preceding 
Register.  The  second  volume,  covering  the  period  between  the  years  1718 
and  1809,  contains  many  dates  of  which  the  limits  of  this  work  forbid  the 
insertion. 

For  the  assistance  of  any  who  may  have  traced  their  genealogy  to  a  Medford 
stock,  a  list  is  here  inserted  of  the  names  not  previously  mentioned,  which 
are  to  be  found  in  the  second  volume  of  the  town-records,  and  the  dates  of  their 
appearance  thereon. 

Adams,  1757  ;  Allen,  1757  ;  Andriesse,  1799  ;  Attwood,  1718  ;  Auld,  1750  ; 
Austin,  1752. 

Bacon,  1749  ;  Bailey,  1806  ;  Ballard,  1721 :  Binford,  1757  ;  Blodgett,  1752  ; 
Blunt,  1748 ;  Boutwell,  1753 ;  Bradish,  1745  ;  Brattle,  1747 ;  Bucknam> 
1766;  Budge,  1762;  Burdit,  1761;  Burns,  1751;  Bushby,  1735  ;  Butterfield', 
1785. 

Calif,  1750;  Chadwick,  1756;  Cook,  1757;  Cousins,  1755;  Crease,  1757; 
Crowell,  1752. 

Davis,  1804;  Degrusha,  1744;  Dexter,  1767;  Dill,  1734;  Dixon,  1758; 
Dodge,  1749  ;  Durant,  1787. 

Earl,  1781;  Easterbrook,  1787;  Eaton,  1755;  Edwards,  1753;  Erwin, 
1752. 

Earrington,  1788;  Faulkner,  1761;  Fessenden,  1785;  Fitch,  1785;  Floyd, 
1750  ;  Fowle,  1752  ;  French,  1755. 

Gait,  1757;  Gardner,  1721;  Garret,  1732;  Giles,  1719;  Gill,  1738; 
Goddard,  1745;  Gowen,  1773;  Grace,  1779;  Greatton,  1718;  Green,  1785. 

Hosmer,  1746;  Hunt,  1751. 

Kendall,  1752  ;  Kettle,  or  Kettell,  1740. 

Lathe,  Laithe,  and  Leathe,  1738  ;  Learned,  1793  ;  Le  Bosquet,  1781. 

Mack,  1790;  Mallard,  1753;  Mansfield,  1759;  May,  1759;  MacCarthy, 
1747;  MacClinton,  1750;  Mead,  1757;  Melendy,  1732;  Morrill,  1732. 

Newell,  1767  ;  Newhall,  1751 ;  Nutting,  1729. 

Oakes,  1721-75. 

Page,  1747;  Pain,  1767;  Parker,  1754;  Penhallow,  1767;  Polly,  1748; 
Poole,  1732;  Powers,  1797;  Pratt,  1791. 

Rand,  1789  ;  Reed,  1755  ;  Richardson,  1796  ;  Robbins,  1765  ;  Rouse,  1770  ; 
Rumril,  1750;  Rushby,  1735;  Russul,  1733. 


571 


Sables,  1758;  Sargent,  1716  ;  Scolly,  1733;  Seiner,  1719  ;  Simonds,  1773 ; 
Souther,  1747;  Sprague,  1763;  Stocker,  1763;  Storer,  1748. 

Tcbodo,  1757;  Teel,  1760;  Tidd,  1746;  Tilton,  1764;  Tompson,  1718; 
Trowbridge,  1787;  Turner,  1729;  Tuttle,  1729;  Tyzick,  1785. 

Wait,  1725  ;  Waite,  17S5  ;  Wakefield,  1751 ;  Walker,  1779  ;  Ward,  1718  ; 
Waters,  1721;  Watson,  1729;  White,  1749  ;  Whitney,  1768  ;  William,  1762 ; 
Williston,  1769;  Winship,  1772;  Witherston,  1798;  Wright,  1795. 

As  to  the  strangers  who  are  mentioned  on  our  records,  I  find  that  Adrian 
Lubert  Andriesse,  of  Batavia,  was  born  in  Boston,  Feb.  9,  1799,  and  baptized 
at  Medford,  July  7,  1805.  Charles  Dabney's  child,  which  Mr.  Albree  had  to 
nurse,  was  baptized  July  4,  1742,  and  named  Charles. 

Of  those  not  of  American  birth  or  parentage,  I  find,  besides  the  slaves  and 
their  children,  that  Jacob  Auld,  one  of  the  "  Scotch-Irish,"  had,  by  wife  Ann, 
a  daughter,  Margaret,  born  Mar.  19,  1750. 

There  seems  to  have  been  some  Irish  families  as  early  as  1745 ;  but  these 
are  named  in  the  foregoing  list. 

There  remains  one  class  of  unwilling  settlers  in  our  town,  —  the  Acadians ; 
or  French  Neutrals,  as  they  are  called  on  our  records.  Of  these  exiles  from 
Grand  Pre,  three  are  mentioned  on  the  records,  as  follows  :  — 

Eunice,  wife  of  John  Degbusha,  was  bapt.  Feb.  12,  1744. 

John  Le  Bosquet,  and  Sarah,  his  wife,  had  — 

Joseph,       b.  Jan.  12,  1781. 

Rebecca,     „  Jan.   19,  1783. 

John  Tebodo  had,  by  Ann  his  wife,  — 

Ann,  b.  July    4,  1757. 

Elizabeth,  „  Nov.    1,  1759. 

Joseph,       „  Feb.  24,  1762. 

The  name  of  Le  Bosquet,  preserved  in  recollection  by  the  Le  Bosquet 
House,  has  been  corrupted  into  Burkit. 

Of  the  others,  I  know  not  whether  they  removed  from  town,  or  whether 
any  descendants  yet  remain. 


CORRIGENDA, 


i   41.    Samuel  Cradock  was  clerk  of  Thissleton,  not  elder  of  Chapleton. 
502.    There  is  evidently  an  error  in  the  record  of  George  Blanchard's  death.     The  date 

probably  refers  to  his  father,  or  other  relative. 
506.    Thomas  Brooks  had  lot  assigned  1634,  not  1631. 
506.    Hannah,  second  wife  of  Caleb  Brooks  (No.  1-3),  was  born  March  5, 1644. 

518.  John  Hall  (No.  2-10)  married  Jemima,  daughter  of  Captain  Joseph  Sill. 

519.  Percival  Hall  was  not  representative  to  Provincial  Congress,  as  he  died  twenty-two 

years  previously. 
538.    Mr.  Savage  declines  the  responsibility  of  more  than  the  early  part  of  the  record  of 

the  Royalls. 
538.    The  wife  of  Isaac  Royall  (No.  2-5)  was  buried  from  the  house  of  Dr.  Oliver,  at 

Dorchester ;  which  strengthens  the  probability  of  her  first  marriage.    He  had 

a  daughter  Elizabeth,  born  1741 ;  died  July  9,  1747. 
538.    Colonel  Royall  (No.  5-11)  had  a  daughter,  who  married  George  Erving,  of  Boston. 

He  (Colonel  R.)  died  1781;  and  his  wife  died  1770. 
542.    Rev.  Zechariah  Symmes  had  twelve  children :  names  as  given  in  their  place. 
550.    There  is  no  probability,  considering  the  dates,  that  James  (No.  246)  was  son  of 

Peter  (No.  1). 
555.    Lydia,  wife  of  Daniel  Turell  (No.  1),  died  June  23, 1659. 

555.  Daniel  was  captain  1683,  not  1646. 

556.  Hezekiah  Usher  (No.  1)  married,  first,  Prances .    Hannah  (No.  5)  was  daugh- 

ter by  second  wife,  and  was  born  Dec.  29,  1653.  He  married  his  second  wife, 
Nov.  2, 1652. 

556.  Hezekiah  (No.  1-2)  married  Bridget  Hoar,  1686,  and  had  no  children.  All  those 
under  that  record  —  viz.,  Nos.  15, 16,  17  —  belong  to  Hezekiah  No.  1. 

556.    John  Usher  married  Elizabeth  Slidgett,  not  Sidgett. 

558.  Jonathan  Wade  (No.  1)  had  Mary,  baptized  October,  1663,  who  married  Wil- 
liam Symonds ;  also  daughter  Sarah.  Prudence  (No.  5)  married,  second,  Rev. 
Seaborn  Cotton. 

558.  Jonathan  (No .  1-2)  had  Deborah,  baptized  March  24, 1667 ;  Prudence,  June  6, 1669 ; 
Catharine,  Aug.  27,  1671,  — died  soon;  Catharine,  June  22,  1673;  Susanna, 
June  10, 1677;  Dorothy,  July  10, 1681;  all  before  Dudley  (No.  2-8). 

563.  Technically,  Bedford  was  a  precinct  of  Billerica  when  John  Whitmore  resided 
there. 

568.    I  am  authorized  to  say  that  John  Willis  was  very  probably  the  same  as  No.  3-11. 


Note.  —  The  compiler  desires  to  offer  his  thanks  to  the  following  gentlemen  for  valuable  aid 
in  pursuing  his  investigations :  to  Dr.  Booth  and  Dean  Dudley,  Esq.,  for  the  Tufts;  to  Rev. 
A.  H.  Quint,  for  the  Halls;  to  T.  B.  Wyman,  jun.,  for  the  Wtmans,  and  others;  and,  finally, 
to  Hon.  James  Savage,  for  very  many  facts  and  corrections  throughout  the  whole  extent  of 
this  Register. 

Boston,  Oct.  8,1855. 


INDEX. 


Academies,  291. 

Adams,  42,  231,  323. 

Albree  Family,  499. 

Albree,  103,  334,  393,  483,  507,  508, 

536. 
Alms-houses,  347. 
Andrews,  41. 
Angler  Family,  501. 
Angier,  36,  110,  213,  231. 
Apple,  Baldwin,"  19. 
Auld,  48. 
Authors,  310. 
Avey,  43. 

Baldwin,  19,  20. 

Ballard  Family,  501. 

Baptist  Society,  271. 

Bellevue,  54. 

Berry,  36,  43. 

Betts,  37. 

Bigelow,  249,  308. 

Birdue  Family,  501. 

Bishop  Family,  501. 

Bishop,  36,  49,  54,  95,  110,  336. 

Blanchard  Family,  502. 

Blanchard,  36. 

Blaney,  44. 

Boylston,  506. 

Bradbury,  36. 

Bradshaw  Family,  504. 

Bradshaw,  36,  65,  103,  329,  335,431, 
478,  526. 

Bradstreet,  28,  37,  97,  103,  482,  504, 
544,  558. 

Brickmaking,  355. 

Bridges,  59,  72. 

Brook,  Whitmore's,  Marble,  &c,  9. 

Brooks  Family,  506. 

Brooks,  19,  29,  34,  36,  43,  49,  51,  53, 
55,  65,  72,  106,  109,  112,  114,  126, 
127,  161,  164,  185,  197,  225,  255, 
265,  285,  307,  315,  411,  545,  563, 
569,570. 

Brown,  509. 

Brude,  87. 

Buel,  51. 

Bugbe,  36. 


Bunker,  43. 
Burden,  36. 
Burgess,  441. 
Burying -grounds,  425. 

Call,  36. 

Chadwick,  509. 

Chairmen,  Board  of  Selectmen,  126. 

Child,  315. 

Chubb,  509. 

Clark,  509. 

Cleaveland,  509. 

Clough,  509. 

Collins,  34,  36,  41,  42,  43,  93. 

Colman,  208,  221,  232,  304. 

Communion-plate,  265. 

Converse,  3,  36. 

Cooke,  36. 

Crackers,  Medford,  388. 

Cradock  Family,  509,  510. 

Cradock,  2,  3,  14,  33,  39,  40,  41,  42, 

44,  46,  47,  59,  83,  87,  88,  92,  410, 

431,  480. 
Crimes  and  Punishments,  431. 
Crisp,  36,  43. 
Cummings,  510. 
Currency,  401. 
Curtis  Family,  511. 

Dady,  37,  44. 
Danforth,  36. 
Davidson.  37,  42,  59,  74. 
Daustin,  36. 
Deane,  36. 
Degrusha,  109. 
Dexter  Family,  510. 
Dexter,  36,  44,  139. 
Dill,  511. 
Diseases,  449. 
Distilleries,  390. 
Dix,  36. 
Dudley,  14,  30,  31,  33,  77. 

Edes,  511. 

Education,  275,  278. 
Eliot,  37,  511,  538,  562. 
Endecott,  30,  32,  83. 


574 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


Erving,  176,  570. 
Expenses,  117. 

Farwell,  511. 

Faulkner,  49. 

Felt,  36. 

Ferry,  Penny,  6. 

Fillebrown  Family,  511. 

Fillebrown,  97,  417. 

Fire-department,  471. 

First  Settlers,  36. 

First  House,  39. 

Fisheries,  381,  386. 

Fitch,  36. 

Forests,  13,  14. 

Fox,  36,  512. 

Francis  Family,  512. 

Francis,  36,  37,  194,  231,  258,  313, 

326,  355,  388. 
Freeman's  Oath,  98. 
Frost,  44. 
Frothingham,  44. 
Fulton,  514. 

Gardner,  4,  574. 
Garrett,  36,  42. 
Gibons,  37,  43,  73,  74. 
Gilchrist,  514. 
Gillegrove,  515. 
Glover,  41. 
Goodnow,  36. 
Goodwin,  44. 
Grace  Church,  277. 
Graduates,  301. 
Graves,  13. 
Greatton,  515. 
Greene,  32,  36,  44. 
Greenland,  15,  36. 
Greenleaf  Family,  515. 
Greenleaf,  106. 
Gregg  Family,  516. 
Groves,  44,  517. 

Hall  Family,  517. 

Hall,  36,  51,  52,  96,  158,  317,  351, 

501,502,  570. 
Hammond,  44. 
Hancock,  202,  213,  527. 
Harris,  527. 
Hathaway,  527. 
Haywood,  36. 
Higginson,  12. 
Hill,  36. 

Historical  Items,  478. 
History,  Civil,  93. 

Ecclesiastical,  200. 

Military,  181. 

Natural  21. 

Political,  143. 

Hobart,  37. 


Holden,  52. 
Hosmer,  293,  302. 
Howard,  17. 
Howe  Family,  528. 
Hutchinson,  31,  200. 
Hutton,  538. 

Indians,  72,  80. 
Ingraham,  439. 

Johnson,  6,  15,  31,  44,  67. 

Josselyn,  1. 

Justices  of  the  Peace,  169. 

Kenrick,  528. 
Kidder  Family,  528. 
Kidder,  112,  225,  483. 
Knox,  529. 

Labor  in  Vain,  7. 

Lands  unappropriated,  105,  107. 

Laribee,  530. 

Lawrence  Family,  529. 

Lawrence,  104,  233,  302. 

Lawyers,  308. 

Leathe,  265,  530. 

Le  Bosquet,  485. 

Letter,  495. 

Lexington  Fight,  151. 

Libraries,  294. 

Light  Infantry,  189. 

Lightering,  392. 

Lincoln,  30. 

Locke,  530. 

Lyceums,  295. 

Lynde,  44. 

Magoun,  48,  360. 

Manners  and  Customs,  452. 

Manning,  36. 

Mansor,  530. 

Map,  421. 

Markham,  36,  42. 

Martin,  36. 

Mather,  205. 

Mayhew,  36. 

Maverick,  2. 

McClure,  49. 

Medford  a  Town,  119. 

Melvin,  44. 

Methodist  Society,  270. 

Michelson,  42. 

Middlesex  Canal,  295. 

Mills,  392. 

Moore,  36. 

Mystic  Church,  273. 

Mystic  River,  6. 

Name,  1. 
Newell,  36,  44. 


575 


Norton,  74. 

Nowcll,  3,  7,  9,  14,  37,  43. 
Noyes,  36,  97,  121. 
Nutting,  531. 

Oakes,  36. 

Oldham  Family,  531. 

Oldham,  89,  100. 

Oliver,  538,  570. 

One  Hundred  Laws,  101. 

Osgood,  236,  240,  531. 

Oysters,  387. 

Palmer,  37. 

Parker,  51,  52,  531. 

Patch  Family,  532. 

Paterson,  533.  * 

Patten  Family,  533. 

Pauperism,  441. 

Peirce  Family,  533. 

Pemberton,  36. 

Pepperrell,  538. 

Perkins,  534. 

Perry,  534. 

Physicians,  302. 

Pierpont,  262,  312. 

Polly,  151,534. 

Ponds,  5. 

Population,  451. 

Post  Office,  421. 

Porter  Family,  534. 

Porter,  36,  49,  51,  52,  211,  309. 

Pounds,  449. 

Prices  Current,  400. 

Pritchard,  36. 

Productions,  12. 

Putnam,  151,  306. 

Public  Buildings,  325. 

Pynchon,  4. 

Quincy,  4,  73. 

Railroads,  57. 

Raleigh,  Sir  Walter,  17. 

Raymond  Family,  535. 

Real  Estate,  Sales  of,  44. 

Records,  Town  and  Church,  28,  29. 

Reed,  535. 

Reeyes  Family,  535. 

Reeves,  36,  106,  449,  560. 

Register  of  Vessels,  368,  et  seq. 

Representatives,  168. 

Revil,  31. 

Richardson,  537. 

Roads,  50. 

Rowse,  44. 

Royall  Family,  538. 

Royal,  4,  9,  49,  87,   170,  176,  224, 

265,  355,  482,  570. 
Russell,  34,  36,  41,  42,  43,  44. 


Sagamore  John,   14,  32,  72,  73,  75, 

76,  77,  78. 
Samson.  539. 
Sargent,  36. 
Savage,  38,  570. 
Savel,  539. 
Schoolhouses,  345. 
Seccomb  Family,  539. 
Seccomb,  39,  49, 51, 106, 110,  332,486. 
Senators,  168. 

Settlement,  First,  29,  33,  96. 
Sewall,  8,  207,  213,  436. 
Shadwell,  44. 
Shed,  540. 

Shephard,  3,  36,  42,  541. 
Ship-building,  357,  366. 
Simonds,  36. 
Slaves,  434. 

Smith,  4,  12,  36,  54,  75,  295. 
Societies,  476. 
Soldiers,  165. 
Sprague,  8,  32,  107. 
Squa  Sachem,  43,  73. 
Stearns,  306. 
Stilman,  37. 

Storms  and  Freshets,  446. 
Stower,  9. 
Swan  Family,  541. 
Swan,  36,  307. 
Symmes  Family,  542. 
Symmes,  2,  4,  37,  42,  74,  353. 

Tainter,  543. 
Taverns,  422. 
Taxes,  408. 
Thompson,  19,  543. 
Touro,  493. 

Town  incorporated,  119. 
Town-clerks,  127. 
I  Town  Hall,  346. 
Tornado,  444. 
Trade,  349. 
Tufts  Family,  543. 
Tufts,  37,  42,  43,  44,49,51,  144,  196, 

297,  303,  306,  484,  495,  570. 
Tufts  College,  297. 
Turell  Family,  555. 
Turell,  29,  49,  221,  310,  319. 

Universalist  Church,  269. 
Usher  Family,  556. 
Usher,  36,  168,   169,   170,  178,  188, 
193,  345,  419,  538,  570. 

Wade  Family,  558. 

Wade,  8,  28,  34,  36,  41,  42,  43,  44, 

48,  97,  100,  327,  425. 
Waite,  36,  51,  439,  560. 
Warren  Family,  560. 
Warren,  225. 


576 


HISTORY    OF    MEDFORD. 


"Washington,  69,  161. 

Waterman,  87. 

"Watson,  36. 

"Weber  Family,  560. 

Wellington,  37,  55. 

Wheeler,  34,  43. 

Whitefield,  226,  233. 

Whitmore  Family,  561. 

Whitmore,  9,  36,  68,  69,  97,  103,  106, 
109,  126,  209,  216,  217,  265,  331, 
332,  334,  353,  411,412,414,415, 
438,  507,  511,  513,  553,  560,  570. 

Wier,  49,  565. 

Wigglesworth,  8. 


Wild  Family,  566. 

Willard,  105. 

Willis  Family,  566. 

Willis,  28,  36,  42,  96,  99,  101,  102, 

103,  106,  218,  241,  265,  328. 
Wilson,  2,  3,  14. 
Winthrop,  2,  3,  5,\11,  13,  14,  20,  25, 

30,  31,  33,  35,  37,  38,  45,  74. 
Winslow,  268. 
Woodbridge,  203,  313. 
Woodward,  36. 
Wolcott,  15. 
Wyman  Family,  569. 
Wyman,  112. 


^^So^4s 


SICUT      PATRIBUS,      SIT      DETTS      NOBIS. 


m 


B 


••'..  Mm 


m 


